Marquees & Party tents

A marquee is a large tent, typically used for events such as weddings or garden parties. The word marquee originates from the French word Marquise (the feminine form of Marquis), and was probably used to describe a large tent that was suitable for a person of high rank (such as a Marquis). A marquee can take many forms, but the key ingredients are simple. Marquees all have a fabric cover, that is placed over a wooden or metal frame.

The word marquee is often also used as adjective, meaning foremost, pre-eminent or simply the best. In sport, sometimes a very famous player may be referred to as a marquee signing — the star of the team. This derives from the American use of the term marquee, meaning a canopy or awning over the entrance to a building such as a theatre featuring the names of the most famous stars appearing in current and upcoming shows.

It all comes down to the quality of the materials. An economy 3 x 4 m marquee with PE roof and sides is the cheapest marquee that we offer in our shop. PVC marquees tend to be a little more expensive. A professional marquee with PVC tarpaulin is far sturdier and will last longer. The price of a party tent increases as the weight of both the frame and the material increases. Furthermore, the addition of supports, such as a ground bar, roof supports, and extra struts naturally increases the price. With a wide selection of models and sizes, you are bound to find a tent that matches your needs and budget in our shop.

Often the full price for hiring a marquee for a weekend is surprisingly similar to the price of buying a new marquee. Once you take delivery fees, insurances and liability into account, the marquee may cost as much to hire as having one delivered to your door a week or two before the event you're planning. Also important to remember — a brand new marquee will look a lot more inviting for your guests than one that has been used many times before. Find out more and see a comparison of costs in our magazine article To hire or buy a tent? Buying is cheaper than you think.

An undecorated marquee looks just fine, but adding marquee lighting and decorations can lift the look of a wedding marquee or canopy tent to something very special. Fairy lights can be draped around the frame or attached using bungees. Linings and tasteful decor can even give the feel of a fully indoor venue. Ceiling drapes hanging from the marquee canopy make the tent warmer and cosier.

It all comes down to the strength of the materials, and the extent to which is the frame is reinforced and whether heavy duty anchoring accessories are used. Budget marquees such as those in our economy line are designed to be used for short periods. Most marquee tents are semi-permanent. If well anchored, they can remain standing for up to a few months. Many restaurants and pubs use heavy duty frame tents, including canopy supports, ground bars, and a tie down kit. These permanent marquees may remain in place outdoors for years, although we urge caution in stormy conditions. No matter how well you have anchored a tent, it's strongly recommended to take them down when a strom is forecast. It's also important to consider UK planning permission rules before setting up a marquee gazebo for longer than 28 days in a calendar year.

Whether it’s an event tent, party marquee or storage solution, marquee flooring is a way to seriously upgrade your tent! While rubber mats are a good ad hoc solution, a chipboard floor built onto a frame resting on concrete blocks is an achievable DIY project. Marquee floors will make things safer for your guests and provide a stable footing for furniture. You can read our step by step guide in our magazine article DIY flooring for marquees and storage tents.