Marquee hire for parties, weddings and events

10 Tips for The Perfect Marquee Summer Party

1. Choose The Right Size Marquee

One of the first decisions is selecting the right size marquee. While your guest numbers are the starting point, it's equally important to think about how the space will be used.

Will everyone be seated for a formal meal? Are you planning to include a dance floor, bar, lounge area or stage? Larger events may also require additional space for catering, entertainment or welcome areas.

An experienced marquee company can recommend the most suitable size based on both your guest list and the overall layout of your event, ensuring the marquee feels spacious without being unnecessarily large.

2. Prepare For The British Weather

One thing we can never guarantee is the weather. Even during July and August, conditions can change quickly, so it's worth planning for every possibility.

A professionally installed marquee provides shelter from rain while offering welcome shade on particularly hot days. During cooler evenings, optional heating can keep guests comfortable long after the sun has gone down.

Choosing the right flooring also makes a significant difference. Whether you opt for carpet, hessian matting or suspended flooring over uneven ground, your guests will appreciate a clean, stable surface regardless of the weather.

3. Think Carefully About Your Layout

The beauty of a marquee is that you aren't restricted by fixed walls or permanent rooms. The entire space can be designed around the way you want your event to flow.

Think about creating dedicated areas for different activities, such as:

  • Dining tables for guests to enjoy their meal.
  • A dance floor positioned as the focal point for the evening.
  • A well-placed bar that's easy to access without creating queues.
  • Comfortable seating areas where guests can relax and chat.
  • Space for entertainment, whether that's a live band, DJ or presentation area.

Planning the layout in advance helps avoid overcrowding and allows guests to move comfortably throughout the event.

4. Consider Access Before Installation

Every venue is different, and access is one of the first things your marquee supplier will assess.

Factors to consider include:

  • Width of access for installation vehicles.
  • Trees, hedges or garden features.
  • Sloping or uneven ground.
  • Underground utilities such as drains or cables.
  • Space for generators, catering equipment and portable toilets if required.

A site visit before installation helps identify any challenges early and ensures everything runs smoothly on the day.

5. Choose The Right Flooring

Flooring has a surprisingly big impact on both the appearance and practicality of your marquee.

For informal summer parties, natural hessian matting creates a relaxed countryside feel that's perfect for garden celebrations. Carpet provides a softer, more luxurious finish for weddings and formal occasions, while suspended flooring creates a perfectly level surface where the ground underneath may be uneven.

The right flooring not only improves comfort but also protects guests from damp ground and keeps the marquee looking its best throughout the event.

6. Lighting Creates The Atmosphere

Lighting becomes increasingly important as the evening progresses. It transforms a simple marquee into a welcoming venue and helps define different areas within the space.

Depending on the style of your event, you might choose:

  • Elegant chandeliers.
  • Soft uplighting around the perimeter.
  • Festoon lighting for relaxed outdoor entertaining.
  • A sparkling night sky canopy.
  • Dance floor and stage lighting for evening entertainment.

Good lighting doesn't have to be extravagant, it simply creates warmth and ambience while ensuring guests feel comfortable throughout the evening.

7. Think About Guest Comfort

A successful event isn't just about how it looks, it's about how comfortable your guests feel from the moment they arrive.

Simple additions can make a significant difference, including:

  • Comfortable tables and seating.
  • Luxury portable toilets for larger events.
  • Heating for cooler evenings.
  • Covered walkways between buildings.
  • Lounge furniture where guests can take a break from dancing.

These practical details often make the biggest impression because they help everyone relax and enjoy the occasion.

8. Book Early

Summer weekends are always in high demand, particularly for weddings, garden parties and corporate events.

Booking several months in advance gives you the greatest choice of marquee sizes, accessories and installation dates. It also provides plenty of time to finalise layouts, discuss styling options and coordinate with caterers, entertainers and other suppliers.

If you're planning an event during peak season, securing your marquee early is always advisable.

9. Add Your Own Personality

One of the greatest advantages of hiring a marquee is that it provides a blank canvas that can reflect your own style.

Small personal touches can completely transform the space, including:

  • Fresh floral displays.
  • Colourful bunting.
  • Interior linings in different colours.
  • Bespoke lighting schemes.
  • Themed decorations for birthdays or special celebrations.

Whether your style is classic, rustic or contemporary, the marquee can be tailored to suit your vision without being restricted by an existing venue.

10. Choose An Experienced Marquee Company

Perhaps the most important decision of all is choosing the right marquee supplier.

Experience matters when it comes to site visits, planning layouts, overcoming access challenges and ensuring the installation is completed safely and efficiently. A knowledgeable team can also advise on accessories, lighting, flooring and practical considerations that you may not have thought about.

By working with an experienced marquee company, you can relax knowing that every detail has been carefully planned, allowing you to focus on enjoying the occasion with your guests.

Why choose a Marquee for your Summer Party?

A marquee offers complete flexibility to create an event that's perfectly suited to your celebration, but a little planning makes all the difference. By considering your layout, guest comfort, accessories and practical requirements well in advance, you'll create a venue that's both beautiful and functional.

Whether you're planning a family celebration, wedding or corporate event, the right marquee, combined with expert advice and thoughtful preparation, will provide the perfect setting for a memorable summer occasion.

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Testimonials

We hired Abinger Marquees for our party and I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. Every detail was handled professionally and calmly, which meant I could actually enjoy the lead up to the event rather than stress about it.

The marquee itself looked great, but the real showstopper was the star night canopy. It completely transformed the space and created a fantastic atmosphere once the sun went down.The team were organised, responsive and clearly very experienced.

Everything was set up beautifully and ran perfectly on the night. If you’re considering marquee hire, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Abinger Marquees.

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Our Customers

30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

We have fulfilled 1,000s of private parties and company events around Guildford, Woking, and the Surrey and Hampshire Area.

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Apart from the hundreds of Weddings and Private Parties we've covered over the last 30 years we have a huge Portfolio of supplying Marquess to Businesses and Corporate Clients, Local Authorities, Schools, Festivals and Churches, to name just a few include:

  • "Guildford Borough Council": Marquees for Hospitality Areas for The Guildford Cricket Festival on Woodbridge road.
  • “McLaren” (Formula 1 in Woking): Provided Marquees for their Staff Funday.
  • “Epsom College”: Supplied a huge Marquee (Holds 1200 people seated) for Graduation Ceremony and Summer Ball.
  • “Virgin” (Kensington Roof Gardens): Here we linked together several different Marquees using Walkways and Links to make a Christmas Party Venue to hold 200 People. The Marquees were 7 Floors up.