This is in addition to marquee wedding articles written by us for confetti.co.uk
Furniture:
- Unlike marquees furniture is usually too expensive to buy so hiring is the usual solution
- Use 5ft 6inch round tables to seat 10 people not 5ft ones (which can be cramped with 10 guests)
- Use a mixture of smaller tables to create an informal atmosphere (see this article on seating)
- Use a long top table for a traditional feel. It would normally be positioned against one side of the marquee.
- Use a round top table for a more social and informal atmosphere. It would normally be positioned in the middle of the marquees with other guests all around.
- Use an oval top table for a more sociable option to a long top table. It would normally be positioned against one side of the marquee with seating on three sides leaving the front clear for guests to see the happy couple.
- Remember an easel for table plans (or two for larger functions)
- Allow somewhere for ladies to put their hats, either a table or clips around the side of the marquee
- Allow somewhere to put wedding presents (a table in the marquee or in the house)
Dance Floors:
- Like furniture dance floors can be prohibitively expensive to purchase to hiring or making yourself (18mm plywood screwed to battens and stained) are the most common solutions
- Alternatively if your marquee is to cover part of a patio or decking area that can be used as a dance floor
- Do you want dancing to be the centre of attention after the meal (in which case have it in the middle of the marquee) or do you want to have an area for people to sit away from the dancing? (in which case have the dance floor at one end)
- If the dance floor is in the middle it is often sensible to position the top table on the dance floor and then clear after using (top tables are rarely used after the meal as everyone is circulating)
- A dance floor (without top table on) makes an ideal emergency greeting area in poor weather
Other:
- Set the marquee up several days in advance and test the lighting and heating (if applicable) at the time of your function just to make sure both are sufficient.
- People (mainly blokes) will always congregate around the bar. For this reason always position it near the evenings entertainment to avoid having two parties. Always aim to keep everyone in one place to maintain the atmosphere so avoid putting the bar in the house or a separate marquee
- Always have lighting on a dimmer, this gives you the flexibility to supply lighting to eat by and mood lighting to dance by
- In October to April you will need to heat the marquee (see this article on heating your marquee)- have the heating on for an hour before people arrive to ensure they walk in to a wall of warmth
- In May to September you might need a heater just to take the chill off in the seating area later in the evening
- Think of how your guests will arrive – a simple path of carpet with flower pots makes an attractive and inviting entrance to the marquee
- Think of how your guests will leave – it’s likely to be dark so some form of lighting will be needed to guide people back to their cars
- You would normally allow one toilet per 40-50 guests. If you don’t have enough available then consider hiring in a luxury toilet unit
- Give neighbours plenty of notice especially if you plan on partying until the early hours
- Notify the police, it may sound extreme but it allows them to give informed responses (such as finishing time) to any complaint rather than come knocking on your doors.
We are always happy to offer more customised advice especially Tips for evening party marquees events, please contact us giving a few details of the event you are planning (type of event, space available, number of guests and diagrams/photographs of the site if possible) and we will be more than happy to advise on your options.
If you would like to use or quote any part of this article please contact us for permission or licencing.