Marquee Weddings. Why They Cost More Than You Think and Where the Money Really Goes

Marquee weddings are often chosen for freedom, your very own space, your very own style and importantly NO venue rules.

What couples are rarely prepared for is this. A marquee wedding is not a venue replacement, it is a temporary event build and with that costs can often surprise you. This blog isn’t about scaremongering it's merely about understanding where your budget actually goes, so you can plan properly and avoid nasty shocks later. So you ready to get stuck in?

Your Canvas of choice

The marquee itself is only the starting point. When couples ask, “How much is a marquee wedding?”, they are usually thinking about the structure, but in reality, the marquee hire is often one of the smaller line items.

What you are hiring initially is the frame and canopy, basic installation and a fixed footprint it's everything that turns it into a wedding space comes next that starts to cost!

Flooring

In the UK, proper flooring is essential over being optional. Not a nice-to-have. Good flooring will keep your marquee level, protects heels, dresses and is also gives more accessibility. In bad weather it prevents mud, condensation and trip hazards. Once you factor in sub-flooring, carpet or boarded finishes, costs rise quickly, but to be honest, this is money well spent.

Power. Because nothing runs without it

Most marquee sites have little to no usable power (usually). That means you need to consider generators, distribution boards, cabling.

Catering alone often requires a dedicated power supply, separate from lighting and entertainment. This is not something to cut corners on. Reliable power is non-negotiable, but it's also the most easiest thing to over spend on.

Lighting. This is where atmosphere lives. The appear of Marquees are blank canvases yet that is why lighting is such a significant cost if you want to create something with style.

You may need (or want)  ambient ceiling lighting, festoon or fairy lights,  pin-spotting for tables, stage and dancefloor lighting, external lighting for paths and entrances (the latter being a must for a field in the middle of nowhere)

Lighting transforms a marquee from functional to exceptional. It also requires planning, power and skilled installation. 

Heating, cooling and weather protection

British weather dictates marquee planning more than aesthetics ever will. Depending on the season, you may need heaters for evenings and sidewalls that can be opened or closed quickly.

These elements are rarely included in basic hire quotes but make a huge difference to you and your guests comfort. 

Toilets. One of the most underestimated costs

Luxury toilet units are essential for most marquee weddings. They will provide you with the proper capacity that you will need for your guest numbers and for their comfort and cleanliness, but they do require good access along with a sensible placement. 

Catering

Catering costs are often higher in marquee because the logistics are more complex. They work from temporary kitchens, which means hired in equipment. This often increases staffing, hire and transport costs compared to a ready to go kitchen at a venue. It's not just inflated costs, it's the cost you pay for the logistics.  

The hidden layer. Coordination and build time

Unlike venues, marquee weddings involve multi-day builds, staggered supplier arrivals that need carefully consideration. Marquee first, but then generator to arrive during that build so that they can check everything works, Then refrigeration and Toilets. It has complex schedules and someone has to manage this. Oversee timings. Solve problems before you ever see them. That coordination is what keeps the day calm and on track.

The real reason marquee weddings cost more

Marquee weddings don’t just replace an event ready venue, you are essentially creating one from scratch. When couples understand this early, they can plan better. budget more accurately and hopefully enjoy the process far more. 

So are marquee weddings worth it?

Absolutely. When planned properly. They offer creative freedom, scale and personalisation that venues can’t match, but they do require realistic expectations and experienced planning.

Thinking about a marquee wedding?

If you’re exploring a marquee wedding and want an honest breakdown before committing to suppliers or budgets, that conversation is worth having early. Understanding the full picture at the start avoids compromises later. If you have it in your budget, it is definitely worth exploring options with a wedding planner.