What You Can Do with a Marquee That You Can’t Do in a Venue
When planning an event, the choice between hiring a traditional venue and setting up a marquee can have a huge impact on the overall vibe. While venues offer certain conveniences, marquees unlock a level of freedom, creativity, and charm that’s hard to match indoors.
Here’s what you can do with a marquee that’s virtually impossible in a fixed venue.
1. Choose Your Own Backdrop
One of the biggest perks of using a marquee is being able to host your event almost anywhere.
Think:
Rolling countryside
Clifftop views
Your own back garden
A beachfront setting
You’re not tied to city centres, hotel function rooms, or generic halls. You choose the view, and your marquee becomes a beautiful blank canvas against that backdrop.
2. Design Every Detail Yourself
Venues often come with built-in décor and restrictions on what you can change. With a marquee, you get total creative control.
With a marquee, you can:
Pick your flooring, lighting, and lining
Choose furniture that suits your theme
Hang chandeliers, fairy lights, or even disco balls
There are no limits to your personalisation. It’s your event, your way.
3. Set Your Own Timetable
Venue bookings often come with strict time slots and curfews. Want to party past midnight? A marquee gives you far more flexibility (depending on local noise regulations).
You can:
Start early or late
Run through the night
Take your time setting up and packing down
No one’s rushing you out the door to prepare for the next booking.
4. Create Multiple Zones in One Space
Marquees allow for clever layouts that can’t always be achieved in static rooms. You can divide the space into separate zones for dining, dancing, chilling, and even kids’ play areas.
Common marquee zones include:
Lounge/chill-out areas
Cocktail or outdoor bars
Dancefloors and stages
Quiet corners or photo booths
It’s like building your own venue from scratch, tailored to your guests.
5. Bring the Outdoors In
With a marquee, you’re not cut off from the natural world—you’re immersed in it. Clear roof panels, roll-up sides, or open-end designs mean you can enjoy fresh air and stunning scenery while staying sheltered.
Perfect for:
Summer evening sunsets
Starry night skies
Outdoor garden weddings
The atmosphere is something a traditional venue just can’t replicate.
6. Maximise Guest Numbers (or Keep It Intimate)
Venue capacity is fixed, but marquees are scalable. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a huge celebration, your marquee can expand or contract to suit.
Need more room?
Add extra sections
Extend the dining space
Open up to outdoor seating
This flexibility means you’re never compromising on guest comfort.
7. Choose Your Own Suppliers
Many venues require you to use their in-house catering or preferred vendors. With a marquee, you’re free to hire whoever you want—from food trucks and mobile bars to indie florists and local bands.
This means:
More control over budget
Unique, personalised service
Supporting small or local businesses
Marquees offer more than just a space—they provide a foundation for creativity, freedom, and unforgettable experiences. If you want to design an event that breaks away from the conventional, a marquee gives you the freedom to do just that. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or private party, the flexibility of a marquee might just make it the perfect choice.