Tips on Choosing a Marquee
Marquees offer a perfect solution as a temporary structure in which to host all kinds of events and occasions - whether a corporate event, private party or wedding.
But what factors should you think about when choosing one? With various designs and interiors available, there are marquees to suit every type of occasion.
Selecting a Marquee The first question most people ask is how much is it going to cost.
This depends very much on what type of function it is - a conference, a wedding, a party - and the amount of people attending.
It's also prudent to have a clear idea of how the interior will look, as again, this will affect cost.
For example, how many tables and chairs are required, what type of flooring is required, what kind of soft furnishings are preferred.
Another factor is what amenities are onsite.
If there is no water supply, a fresh one will have to be brought in.
The same is true for an electrical supply and toilets.
Location Another key choice is location.
The site sets the scene for your event, but also determines how easy it is for visitors to access.
Surroundings are also important.
Car access and parking is one of the first things to consider.
For weddings, a large garden with trees and flowers or a field with scenic views is ideal.
For a business event, a city or town centre setting may be more suitable as it reflects the business environment within the marquee.
If you do not have space of your own, contact local land owners and councils to see possible sites for erecting marquees.
Modern marquees don't use poles and guy ropes, although this design is still widely used.
Instead, they are built from a modular aluminium frame which can be joined together to create many different formats.
The modern systems can cope with higher wind speeds than traditional marquees.
They have no centre poles to obstruct the interior and no guy ropes mean that the marquee can be erected close to buildings and in confined spaces.
What Kind of Surface? Clearly, a flat surface is ideal.
A marquee can also be erected on a gentle slope, especially if no floor is required.
If flooring is required, modern marquees can cope as they have special suspension flooring that can adjust the height giving a perfectly level surface.
Although grass is the easiest surface upon which to erect a marquee, other harder surfaces need pin holes drilled to ensure the marquee's stability.
These can be filled in when the site is cleared.
If the marquee cannot be pinned, ballast and water are used to secure the structure.
Interior Design The inside of the marquee need not be a plain and simple affair.
Flat or pleated fabric linings, swags and drapes in a range of colours make attractive decorated interiors.
These serve to not only enhance the look and mood of the event, but also hide the framework or cables.
Lighting styles can vary from a chandelier for events such as weddings, anniversaries or parties to specialised lighting which offers a wider scope for effect e.
g.
over the dance floor or to highlight table centrepieces.
Exterior lighting placed around the marquee adds a special finishing touch or simply to ensure that there is adequate lighting for guests leaving the function.
Choosing tables and chairs depends on the type of function.
Tables come in a variety of styles such as trestle tables for food service such as buffets or bars and for top tables.
Round tables for weddings and similar functions are generally 5 ft diameter which seat 8/9 guests and 6 ft diameter seating up to 14 guests.
Seating options usually comprise lightweight folding event chairs for events such as conferences, folding banquet chairs that have padded backrests and seats, and more plush padded dinner chairs for more formal events.
Choose a Good Hire Company A good marquee hire company will not only supply and erect the marquee, but also offer a comprehensive package.
This should include a careful and personal design process to plan the look and feel for the marquee itself and its interior layout.
Ancillary services as required should also be available.
For example, heating, lighting, power, staging, furniture hire, PA systems and toilets.
Rather than go through the toil of contacting many companies to supply these services, it's worth seeking out a good company that can give support for all requirements.
But what factors should you think about when choosing one? With various designs and interiors available, there are marquees to suit every type of occasion.
Selecting a Marquee The first question most people ask is how much is it going to cost.
This depends very much on what type of function it is - a conference, a wedding, a party - and the amount of people attending.
It's also prudent to have a clear idea of how the interior will look, as again, this will affect cost.
For example, how many tables and chairs are required, what type of flooring is required, what kind of soft furnishings are preferred.
Another factor is what amenities are onsite.
If there is no water supply, a fresh one will have to be brought in.
The same is true for an electrical supply and toilets.
Location Another key choice is location.
The site sets the scene for your event, but also determines how easy it is for visitors to access.
Surroundings are also important.
Car access and parking is one of the first things to consider.
For weddings, a large garden with trees and flowers or a field with scenic views is ideal.
For a business event, a city or town centre setting may be more suitable as it reflects the business environment within the marquee.
If you do not have space of your own, contact local land owners and councils to see possible sites for erecting marquees.
Modern marquees don't use poles and guy ropes, although this design is still widely used.
Instead, they are built from a modular aluminium frame which can be joined together to create many different formats.
The modern systems can cope with higher wind speeds than traditional marquees.
They have no centre poles to obstruct the interior and no guy ropes mean that the marquee can be erected close to buildings and in confined spaces.
What Kind of Surface? Clearly, a flat surface is ideal.
A marquee can also be erected on a gentle slope, especially if no floor is required.
If flooring is required, modern marquees can cope as they have special suspension flooring that can adjust the height giving a perfectly level surface.
Although grass is the easiest surface upon which to erect a marquee, other harder surfaces need pin holes drilled to ensure the marquee's stability.
These can be filled in when the site is cleared.
If the marquee cannot be pinned, ballast and water are used to secure the structure.
Interior Design The inside of the marquee need not be a plain and simple affair.
Flat or pleated fabric linings, swags and drapes in a range of colours make attractive decorated interiors.
These serve to not only enhance the look and mood of the event, but also hide the framework or cables.
Lighting styles can vary from a chandelier for events such as weddings, anniversaries or parties to specialised lighting which offers a wider scope for effect e.
g.
over the dance floor or to highlight table centrepieces.
Exterior lighting placed around the marquee adds a special finishing touch or simply to ensure that there is adequate lighting for guests leaving the function.
Choosing tables and chairs depends on the type of function.
Tables come in a variety of styles such as trestle tables for food service such as buffets or bars and for top tables.
Round tables for weddings and similar functions are generally 5 ft diameter which seat 8/9 guests and 6 ft diameter seating up to 14 guests.
Seating options usually comprise lightweight folding event chairs for events such as conferences, folding banquet chairs that have padded backrests and seats, and more plush padded dinner chairs for more formal events.
Choose a Good Hire Company A good marquee hire company will not only supply and erect the marquee, but also offer a comprehensive package.
This should include a careful and personal design process to plan the look and feel for the marquee itself and its interior layout.
Ancillary services as required should also be available.
For example, heating, lighting, power, staging, furniture hire, PA systems and toilets.
Rather than go through the toil of contacting many companies to supply these services, it's worth seeking out a good company that can give support for all requirements.