If you’re planning an event and looking for something a bit more flexible than the usual village hall or hotel function room, hiring a marquee is definitely worth thinking about. People sometimes assume marquees are only for big weddings or posh do’s — but actually, they’re used for all sorts.
We’ve seen them work for garden birthdays, company barbecues, food festivals, evening receptions, even quiet family gatherings. Doesn’t need to be anything fancy. You just need a bit of space and a reason to get people together.
Marquees give you something that fixed venues don’t: choice. Layout, furniture, lighting, style — you can do it your way. You’re not stuck with patterned carpets or whatever chairs the hall happens to own.
And you don’t have to be on someone else’s schedule either. You’ve got more control over timings, setup, and what gets brought in. Want your own caterer? No problem. Want a bar in the corner and fairy lights above the tables? Done.
What Type of Events Work with a Marquee?
Pretty much anything, if the space and weather are right. The obvious one is weddings, and yes — they look brilliant. But we’ve also done:
- Birthday parties in back gardens
- Summer BBQs for companies
- Craft fairs and food events
- Anniversary dinners
- Christmas drinks with heating and fire pits
We’ve even put up marquees for smaller, more casual things — a golden wedding celebration with just 30 people, or a fundraiser in a local field with music and stalls.
Point is, it’s not all champagne and chandeliers. You can keep it as simple or as dressed-up as you like.
What’s Included When You Hire?
This varies depending on the setup, but usually, the basics are the marquee itself and whatever flooring you need — matting, carpet, or wooden floors.
From there, you can add things like:
- Tables and chairs
- Lighting — fairy lights, chandeliers, uplighters, LED strips
- Linings and wall panels
- Heaters or fans, depending on the time of year
- Dance floors, bars, catering tents
- Covered walkways or separate spaces for things like loos or cloakrooms
What to Think About First
Start with numbers. Rough idea of how many people are coming. You don’t need an exact guest list, but knowing whether it’s 40 or 150 helps us suggest the right size.
Then there’s the location. Flat ground is ideal, but we’ve worked on slopes before. Grass is fine. Gravel or tarmac can work too — we’ll just need to look at flooring options.
Access matters. Can we get a van in? Will we need extra time for setup? That kind of thing.
Also think about time of year. Summer’s popular, obviously, but marquees can work in spring and autumn too.
How Long Can You Hire For?
You don’t have to squeeze everything into one evening. Most of the time, we set up the day before so you’ve got time to decorate or prep. Then after the event, takedown is usually the next day.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices depend on size, extras, and duration — no two events are the same. A small garden setup could start from a few hundred pounds. Bigger events with linings, lighting, and furnishings might be in the thousands.
But we always talk through budget early. There’s no hard sell — just an honest chat about what you want and what’s possible.
We’re Countryside Events, and we’ve been setting up marquees across Thirsk and surrounding areas for a while now. We work with couples planning weddings, families organising birthdays, local companies hosting staff dos, and plenty in between.
We don’t just deliver a tent and walk off. We help plan the space, talk through layout, manage the setup, and make sure everything’s safe, solid, and ready on the day.
If you’re not sure where to start or just want a bit of advice on Marquee Hire, give us a ring. No pressure, no pushy sales — just a friendly chat and a proper plan.