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Everything you need to hire or book for a DIY Marquee wedding

Knowing what you need to book for a Marquee Wedding can seem like a bit of a minefield. But it’s not too complicated when we take it back to basics.

Quick Fire Booking List

This list is by no means definitive but it is the basics of everything you may need to consider booking for a marquee wedding. This is all important to consider when splitting down your budget.

• Marquee
• Hire of furniture, tablecloths and marquee extras
• Hosting Venue
• Insurance
• TENS License
• Toilets
• Celebrant
• Transportation
• Day of Co-ordinator
• Decoration Specialist or Decorations for hire
• Florist
• Videographer
• Photographer
• Caterer
• Bar
• Entertainment including
• DJ or Music System
• Activities or Games
• Fun Food Options

Other general wedding costs include

• Stationary
• Bought Decorations
• Attire such as suits, wedding dress, shoes
• Hair and makeup
• Thank you gifts

These are not specific to marquee weddings but important to consider and remember when organising your budget.

What you need to book for a marquee wedding

A Marquee and Venue

First of a Marquee is an important first hire, along with a venue to host it. A venue like our own Bridge Meadows is perfect for an event like this. Marvellous Marquees is a local marquee company we recommend.

Does the Marquee hire include hire of furniture, tablecloths and kitchen units or is this something you need to hire separately?

If your marquee is going to be set up in a field then you will probably be after some toilets. We love the ‘Posh Loo’ units from Lincs Loos.

Insurance and Licenses

When you’ve got this sorted Insurance is the next great step. Check with your marquee company or venue who they recommend such as Cover Marque.

Depending on the location you may need a TENs licence for the event.

Other practicalities

If you are planning on having a service at the event then you may want a celebrant service for a personalised service at the venue-we can’t recommend Iris Rose Ceremonies highly enough.

Confetti makes a lovely shot especially outside at a Marquee wedding. Biodegradable Confetti is a great option like the range of beautiful flower confetti from Shropshire Petals.

But if you are planning on a Registry Office service or a Church Service say before a Marquee reception then you may want to hire transport.

Nowadays, more than ever, a Videographer and Photographer are important to book to record your wedding day.

Catering

When hiring catering and a bar service you want to make sure you hire a vendor used to dealing with marquee weddings.

For a caterer, this is important as there often isn’t full kitchen services so they need to understand, prep and prepare accordingly. This may also affect the menu you can offer. Perhaps it will lead you to choose a food van instead but there are plenty of possibilities and options.

This is the same for a bar-perhaps a horse box is the right answer for you or a company with a bar suitable for setting up in a marquee.

You could also consider, depending on your host venue’s rules, an open bar you provide yourself.

Decorations

Depending on your theme and style decorations can be hired rather than bought. Flowers and floristry decorations can be fabric rather than of the foliage variety. Themed games and activities can also be hired.

If you are planning decoration changes or complicated procedures consider hiring a Day of Co-ordinator

Find out more about a Day of Co-ordinator here

Entertainment and Activities

There are plenty of options for entertainment and activities including

Dancing with a DJ, Band or Sound System. Don’t forget the mics for the speeches!

Activities and Games such as mini golf, fairground games or inside board games

Fun Food Options like Candy Floss and more.

More help with planning your wedding

We are currently working on a planning booklet and worksheets which contain everything you need to know, everything you need to do and all the top tips to achieve it in one handy downloadable place. Watch this space.

In the meantime check out these links for more help planning your wedding or events.

• Top Tips for Wedding Planning
• Party Planning Basics
• How to change templates on Canva
• Top Tips for Wedding Guests