Where do I start?
A marquee’s size is determined by the number of guests and whether they will be seated or standing. Table shape will also make a difference, as will extras like dance floors, bars and reception areas.
To get an idea, you can type guest numbers and any extras into our online quote calculator. It is fast and accurate, and will show you the sort of sizes you might need (as well as price estimates). Our marquee price lists show guest capacities for all the sizes and types of marquees available from County Marquees – for seated and buffet events – but takes no account of extras.
How long is a piece of string? The price of a marquee depends on its size, style and how much furniture and other extras you would like.
The quickest way to get an rough idea of prices is to use our online marquee quote. It is fast, accurate, and includes common extras.
We also have full price lists on this website. Prices include matting, standard lighting, delivery and set up, and, for the higher of the two prices for each size, marquee lining as well. Furniture and other extras will need to be factored on top. We have price lists for furniture and equipment too.
There are also example prices for small, medium and large events here.
County Marquees offers five different types of marquees, each has its own qualities:
- Frame marquees: modern, practical, good for urban gardens, awkward spaces and corporate events
- Brigadoon traditional pole marquees: romantic tents with swooping lines, favoured for weddings
- Stretch tents: eye catching, flexible, work well with informal events
- Chinese Hats: small, fun, pointy topped, good for entrance porches and chill out spaces
- Semi-permanent marquees: durable and stable, good for longer-term use
For weddings and parties at the weekend, the marquee is yours for both Saturday and Sunday. During the week, the length of the marquee hire period is by arrangement. Long term hires are also by arrangement.
Marquee Sizes and Sites
Yes. Frame marquees can serve as an extension to a building if the space is suitable. Because they need no pegs or guy ropes, frame marquee structures can butt up against the side of a house.
If a marquee is set away from a building, a covered walkway can connect the two and protect from the rain.
Frame marquees are good at making maximum use of space so work well in urban gardens. But every event is unique so a complementary site visit may be necessary if the fit is tight.
A slight slope is nothing to worry about. A more pronounced slope is not a problem for the marquee structure but may be uncomfortable for guests, especially at a seated event.
The best solution under these circumstances is to use blocks with adjustable legs. These are expensive, but they will level out a moderate slope effectively.
Clearspan frame tents are the best option on hard standing. They can be weighed down with water weights or concrete ballasts. A stretch tent is another possibility, but they absolutely require concrete weights so good access is a must.
It is not possible to install traditional tents on hard standing.
Temporarily yes.
Grass that has been covered for several days will not look its best. But recovery will be swift. And we are always very careful not to damage plants if flower beds are included in a marquee.
See our testimonials page for the praise lavished on our team of trained and careful marquee riggers.
If cabling or pipework is near the surface, damage is possible from the pegs that hold a marquee steady. So please advise us if any water mains or electrical cabling are close to the ground.
Do we check? Should they check?
Marquee Hire
This depends on size and complexity, but most installations take between 1–3 days.
Typically, we erect marquees on the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before an event; and we dismantle them on the following Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a special requirement, please let us know and we will timetable for that.
Within reason, yes. Requests for extra furniture, different flooring etc can often be accommodated if made at the beginning of the week leading up to the marquee hire or even earlier. Requests to lengthen a marquee may also be possible if made early enough, depending on availability.
Changes very close to an event may be hard to accommodate. So please notify us as soon as possible.
No. As well as marquees, we supply furniture, flooring, lighting and other marquee accessories including generators. We can also arrange catering equipment, portable loos etc. Please ask us for what you need and we will help.
Marquees and weather
Yes. The walls of all County Marquees’ marquee types can be easily opened up. The procedures are slightly different for different types of tent. If you would like, we can demonstrate how to do this, so the decision can be left to you on the day.
Yes, marquees are designed to be waterproof. And County Marquees takes care to maintain and install our marquees carefully so that there are no leakages.
Problems come not from the marquee but from the ground underneath.
In heavy rain, water runoff may not drain quickly if the ground drains poorly. This can lead to water seeping under the marquee sides. If a surface is prone to waterlogging and heavy rain is likely, a solid floor with carpet provides a more reliable dry surface than coconut matting.
Our clearspan frame structures are sturdy and recommended for winter events. They have been tried and tested over County Marquees’ many years of experience, and against the worst the English winter can throw at them. They can be plenty warm enough with heaters.
The photo shows dancing in a large transparent frame tent erected for a wedding in December. You wouldn’t know it but outside a named storm (Storm Darragh) was raging.
Even in midsummer, a heater may be necessary as nights can be chilly. So budget for a heater just in case, and make a decision in the week leading up to your party when you have seen the weather forecast. We do recommend heaters for autumn and spring as well as winter.
Marquees and accessories
You do not need a lining.
Lined marquees are more luxurious and are a favoured element of a traditional wedding-style marquee. They cover up the marquee structure, transforming a marquee into an elegant venue. County Marquees’ linings are ivory coloured and can be flat – for a modern, minimalist style – or classic pleated – for a soft, gathered style.
We also stock black linings with starlight ceilings (with embedded starry LED lights) for blackout marquees with a magical party atmosphere. These can be combined with plain linings to divide up a marquee space.
Unlined marquees are better suited to more informal or outdoor events.
All our marquees are made of fire retardant lacquered white PVC.
Marquee lighting, heating and music don’t require much power and therefore don’t normally call for a generator. But you may need one if the wiring in your house or site is old or unreliable. And if caterers are cooking in a catering tent using electricity rather than gas, then a generator will probably be necessary.
Thank you for all your help in making our party a great success. I would particularly like to thank Tom and his crew for all their good humour and for the fact that nothing was too much trouble for them.
Outwood, Surrey