Marquee Weddings – What You Need to Know

Planning a marquee wedding offers you the freedom to create a truly bespoke celebration—one that isn’t confined by the four walls of a traditional venue. But with that freedom comes a whole lot of logistics to think about. From the time of year to ground conditions and power supply, here’s some of the things you should know if you’re considering a wedding marquee.

The Best Time of Year for a Marquee Wedding

The most popular months for a marquee wedding in the UK are May through to October—and for good reason. These six months usually offer the best chance of pleasant weather, longer daylight hours and stunning natural scenery.

• June and September are favourites for those who want to avoid the scorching heat but still enjoy sunny, comfortable conditions
  
  
• October brings with it the warm hues of autumn, offering a gorgeous natural backdrop with minimal effort or expense

Do bear in mind that marquees for weddings are in high demand during peak season, so early planning and booking is essential.

Choosing the Right Location

When it comes to wedding marquees, not all sites are created equal. Here are a few things to check:

• Flat Ground: A marquee works best on a level surface. If your dream spot is on a slope or uneven terrain, levelling it out can be costly
  
  
• Accessibility: Consider how suppliers and guests will access the site. If it’s prone to getting boggy when it rains, you could face difficulties with vehicles and equipment getting stuck
  
  
• Space: Think carefully about layout. For instance, a large tree in the middle of the field might be picturesque, but it could complicate things unless you’re prepared to build around it—at a cost

Guest Numbers and Space Planning

Whether you’re having an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, the size and layout of your marquee is key.

• All-in-One or Multiple Structures? Some couples opt for one large marquee to host the ceremony, drinks reception, and dinner/dancing. Others go for a separate setup to allow for surprise reveals and easier logistics
  
  
• Venue Turnaround: If using the same space throughout the day, make sure there’s somewhere to hold guests while the space is transformed between ceremony and reception

This is where marquee wedding ideas and layouts from previous weddings can be incredibly helpful—inspiration and practicality rolled into one.

Power and Water: Don’t Get Caught Out

Unless your location is fully serviced, you’ll likely need to bring in power and water.

• Generators* are a must. Make sure you know the combined power needs of all your suppliers—caterers, lighting, band or DJ—and book a backup just in case
  
  
• Water Supply: Most caterers will need running water. If there’s no access to a tap or hose, you’re looking at hiring water tanks, which adds to the cost and planning. Chat with your caterer early on—they’ve likely worked in all sorts of conditions and can offer helpful guidance

Flooring Options for Wedding Marquees

Your choice of flooring depends largely on your budget and the ground conditions.

• Matting is cost-effective and ideal for flat grass surfaces
  
  
• Wooden floors with carpet give a polished, elevated finish, but the price tag reflects that
  
  
• Some couples have even hosted marquee weddings on tennis courts and gravel drives—so long as the flooring is properly thought through, it can work beautifully

A marquee wedding offers unparalleled flexibility and charm, but it requires a bit more foresight than a traditional venue. Think seasonally, choose your site carefully, and make sure your infrastructure can support your dream day.

One Last Thing: Wedding Insurance That Covers Your Marquee

And don’t forget—the right wedding marquee insurance could be the difference between a disaster and a minor hiccup. Because when you're planning your perfect day, peace of mind shouldn't be an optional extra.

A marquee wedding can be magical—but can also be costly. With so many moving parts, things can, and sometimes unfortunately do, go wrong. Weather delays, supplier issues or damage to the structure itself could cause real stress if you’re not properly protected.

That’s where Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance comes in. We offer marquee wedding insurance options that can cover:

• Wedding Cancellation Cover – up to £100,000
  
  
• Wedding Marquee Cover – up to £50,000
  
  
  • 5-Day Hire Period Cover: Standard cover includes a hire period of up to five days, with options to extend upon agreement
    
    
  • Event Equipment Protection: Includes mobile W.C. units, lighting, furniture, and other hired equipment used at your wedding
• Financial Failure of Service Suppliers– up to £30,000

*Please note: Wedding insurance policies do not typically include cover for generators. If generator cover is required, a separate policy will probably need to be arranged.

Click here to find out more about Dreamsaver Wedding Marquee Insurance

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording here for the latest policy terms, conditions and exclusions.