As more and more people are now looking to other types of venues to hold events and celebrations, marquee parties are becoming a very popular option for many different reasons. Marquees are now being used to celebrate weddings, anniversary festivities and birthday parties as well as holding charity events and corporate functions. A marquee looks very impressive and is especially outstandingly striking when decorated appropriately and tastefully.

As there are a multitude of options available to you, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing décor for your marquee. To give you some inspiration, we have put together our top 4 marquee party décor ideas!

1. Lighting

One of the best ways to create an ambience for your marquee event is to select the correct lighting. For an elegant or romantic feel, candlelight is a good option. Candelabras placed around the marquee as well as tea lights sitting in some attractive holders on tables will create a beautiful ambience. Uplighters placed strategically around the marquee also produce a wonderful visual effect while providing necessary lighting at the same time. If you are using drapes in your décor design, why not secure a black drape to the ceiling of the marquee and place strings of LED lights running across them to create a sort of ‘night sky’ effect? The resulting effect is quite magical!

2. Drapes

The use of drapes to decorate a marquee is a fantastic way to create a soft and beautiful effect. You can choose from any number of colours, however, if you have a theme in mind for your event, try to complement the colours of your drapes to that theme. For example, if you are having a black-tie event then black, white and silver drapes would best complement your theme. You can also choose marquee linings that are attached to the interior of the marquee to give it a very elegant and classy feel. These marquee linings can also be complemented with matching swags or bunting.

3. Balloons

Balloons can be tastefully arranged around your marquee to really give it that party feel. Helium balloon bouquets placed around the general area are a great way to decorate the space and again, remember to tie the colour of the balloons in with your overall theme or event type. Balloon columns and balloon arches are also other popular features of marquee party décor that look equally as impressive.

4. Celling decorations

Hanging some attractive decorations from the ceiling of your marquee is a great way to decorate that open space, especially if your marquee is quite big. An innovative way of creating a stunningly decorative effect is to hang coloured rice paper lanterns at varying heights around your marquee. Alternatively, for a similarly striking effect, you can hang large pompoms that are made from tissue paper, fabric or tulle from the ceiling.

A tastefully decorated marquee will add that little extra wow-factor to your party. With a little bit of inspiration and creativity, you can transform a mundane and uninteresting-looking marquee into a wonderful space that both you and your guests can relax in and enjoy.

When it comes to choosing an all-important wedding venue, marquees are fast becoming an increasingly popular option for brides and grooms all over the country. Gone are the days when a marquee wedding meant a damp and breezy tent-like structure with a few tables and chairs. Nowadays, a wedding marquee is almost a semi-permanent structure with proper floors, décor and facilities. If you are considering hiring a marquee for your wedding venue, here are some reasons why these fantastic structures make such awesome wedding venues:

Choice of location

A marquee can be set up anywhere, and easily and quickly too. Whether you would like your wedding venue to be in your parent’s garden, your own back yard or on the grounds of a country residence, vineyard, field or paddock, the choice is completely yours and your chosen location will only add to the wow factor of your marquee.

Personal touch

A marquee is essentially a blank canvas on which you and your partner can impart your own senses of style and flair. As well as a choice of marquee structure, you can have the interior of your chosen marquee personalised to your own tastes. So whether you have always dreamed of a fairy-tale themed wedding, a black tie affair or a woodland themed wedding – anything is possible with a marquee. Floors can be installed, interior linings can be provided and all types of lighting can be fitted to create the desired effect that you are looking for. In addition, all sorts of little handmade touches can be added which may not be possible in a hotel or country house.

Unique

A marquee wedding is definitely a unique option for brides and grooms and gives them the opportunity to host a wedding reception that is memorable and unforgettable, and for all the right reasons too! Traditionally, many weddings are held in hotels or country houses and so opting for a marquee is a departure from the norm. Furthermore, they give couples the opportunity to mix and match their individual styles to create a truly unique and extra-special wedding venue.

Budget-friendly

Depending on the type of wedding package you choose, a marquee can be a very budget-friendly choice as a wedding venue. This is especially the case if you are having a large wedding and hotel prices are causing you concern! It is possible to choose a simple marquee for a very good hire price and then look after the décor yourself or enlist the help of some arty and creative friends to do it for you. In this way, you’ll have a unique wedding venue at a fraction of the cost of a hotel!

Prolong the celebrations

Nearly every couple mourns how quickly their wedding day and night flies past them. The beauty of a marquee is that it is entirely up to you when the celebrations end, especially if your marquee is erected on yours or your family’s grounds. With a marquee and a willing DJ, you can extend the wedding celebrations long into the night and the next morning if you wish to do so!

For a truly unique, personal and most importantly, unforgettable wedding venue, a marquee is most definitely the only way to go!

So you’ve made the choice and opted for marquee hire as your wedding venue – congratulations! A wedding marquee is the perfect choice for couples that are looking for something truly unique and unforgettable for their wedding day. And with a beautiful marquee, you have the fantastic opportunity to imprint your sense of style and that of your partner to make it just that – an unforgettable and truly unique affair.

To give you some guidance and hopefully some inspiration too, we’ve compiled a list of 5 extras that, when correctly installed, will complete the entire look and ambience of your wedding marquee.

1. Lighting

Lighting is an essential factor in creating the right mood and setting for your wedding, and given the amount of options that are available, you don’t have to go with the standard spotlights to get the lighting right. How about using some uplighters along the interior walls of the marquee to create a soft, romantic feel? Coloured uplighters can signify a special touch and can match your wedding colours if so desired. You can also choose from candles for an ethereal effect, a chandelier for a luxurious atmosphere or LED lights for a more modern and contemporary feel.

2. Interior linings

Interior linings are a fantastic way to enhance your marquee and soften the lines of the actual structure itself. In order to blend in with any other fixtures and fittings that you’ve got planned, linings can be installed that complement your wedding theme or your wedding colours. Interior linings are usually pleated with an added valance for that extra-special touch, adding a sense of luxury and comfort to your wedding marquee.

3. Covered walkway

If you are planning on locating your wedding marquee on the grounds of your family home or a country house, you will more than likely make the toilet facilities within the main property available for use to your guests. If so, then a covered walkway between your wedding marquee and the main property is a fantastic little extra that will impress your guests as well as protect them from the elements if necessary!

4. Bar facilities

Another extra to make your wedding marquee even more special is the inclusion of licensed bar facilities. Incorporating such facilities into your wedding marquee means that your guests will have access to a selection of wines, spirits and draught beers from an actual operating bar complete with draught taps. You can even make your bar a feature of your marquee by adding counter stools and backlighting for that extra special look.

5. Stage area and dance floor

The perfect way to add a wow factor to your marquee is to incorporate a raised stage area for the placement of your chosen band or DJ. Once the meal is over and your guests are ready for some entertainment, you’ll want to make the stage the focal point of the marquee and having a raised stage is the perfect way of achieving that. And, as you’re providing some great musical entertainment for your guests, you’ll have to give them a place to dance too! A purpose built dance floor that’s made from durable and aesthetically pleasing materials will ensure that your guests can dance the night away with little worry of space restrictions.

A wedding marquee makes for an unforgettable wedding venue and with the addition of some or all of these extras, your wedding will be extra-special and extra-memorable!

Summer is officially here and it is time to get out and enjoy the warm weather that this glorious season usually brings. One of the great joys of summer is the ability to hold outdoor barbeques and garden parties where one can entertain their family and friends while enjoying great food and the summer sun – sounds like total bliss, right?

As the warm weather reigns in, you’ll notice an influx of people rushing to stores to purchase BBQ foods, portable barbeques and garden furniture, seeking to make the most of the warm weather for as long as it sticks around. Arranging a summer BBQ is a great idea for a get together for family or friends which is why we’ve developed a quick guide of top tips to help you arrange an enjoyable and memorable summer BBQ party.

1. Hire a Marquee

Most people will agree that hiring a marquee is a great idea when arranging a summer BBQ garden party. A marquee provides a place of shade for people who want to avoid spending too much time in the sun and it is also perfect for setting up a presentation of all the foods on offer and protecting your foods from melting in the sunshine. In the unlikely event that the weather takes a turn for a worse, your marquee can also provide temporary cover from the elements.

2. Make a Cocktail List

A really fun idea for serving drinks at a summer BBQ is to create a couple of cocktail bowls. After all, nothing quite screams summer like a delicious cocktail that’s served with ice cubes. It can be difficult to select beers and wines that everyone will like so a mix of cocktails is always a better rounded and indeed a less expensive alcoholic option to serve. You could even ask guests to bring along their favourite spirits or mixers.

3. Buy BBQ Foods in Bulk

If you’re going to be feeding 10 or more people, it is more feasible for you to buy your BBQ foods in bulk. Ask your local meat wholesaler or butchers for their best prices on buying a combination of BBQ meats together. You’ll find some great deals when buying BBQ foods in bulk and anything you don’t use can always be frozen and eaten at a later date.

4. Invest in a Good Barbeque

When hosting a summer BBQ for several people, you’ll need a decent sized, reliable gas or coal barbeque. Don’t be tempted to buy a couple of temporary BBQ’s as you will not be able to facilitate cooking so much food for so many people – at least not without them having to wait for ages to get fed! Buy or borrow a dependable barbeque system and ensure that you have plenty of gas or coals on hand to keep the system going throughout the day.

5. Set up a Music System Outdoors

With your drinks, food and seating areas sorted, all you need now to complete the perfect summer BBQ is some great summer tunes. For the best effect, try extending power lines outside and hook up an outdoor music system. If you hire a marquee, you may be able to power the music system from there.

Organise a great gathering for family and friends by following our 5 top tips and enjoy a summer BBQ garden party that everyone will be talking about!

When you think of hiring a marquee, you may do so in the context of hosting a garden party or even a wedding. However, did you know that marquees are also available for hire and extremely popular when it comes to corporate events? When organising a corporate event, you want to ensure that your business is the talk of the town afterwards…and for all the right reasons!

A marquee party can prove a great idea for housing a corporate event – think of a marquee like a portable corporate venue! Discover our top 4 reasons why you should consider hiring a marquee for your next corporate event.

Highly Adaptable Space

A marquee is a highly adaptable space that can be used for several different types of corporate events be it a product launch, a tasting, a tradeshow event, a business exhibition or even just for business storage. Throughout the day, your company might use the marquee for a product launch while in the evening; it can be closed up and used for product storage. Marquees come in all shapes and sizes so the possibilities for using a marquee to host any type of corporate event are endless. You can have enough space to set up a podium for speeches or a stage for demonstrations or talks as well as seating areas for attendees.

Furnish the Marquee However you want

When you hire a marquee, you can choose from a wide variety of interior furnishings and fittings. Whether you want to create the appearance of a simple, practical space for product demonstrations or a high-class space with marquee linings, real wood floors and chandelier lighting, the options are endless. You can enhance the image and reputation of your company by organising a professional corporate event and a marquee can be furnished to reflect the professional business image that your company has.

Cost Effective Solution

A marquee can serve as a very cost effective “venue” for your corporate event, helping your business to really stand out among the crowd of your competitors. Why hire a hotel when you could set up a marquee outside your business premises or in an exhibition hall to conduct your product launch or demonstration? By hiring a marquee, your stand or presence at a corporate event can stand out above the rest.

Weather-proof Your Event

Unfortunately, no matter what time of year it is, we can never really depend on the weather to provide the perfect setting for a corporate event. By hiring a marquee, you can essentially “weather-proof” your corporate event, ensuring that it can go ahead and that all attendees/spectators are comfortable despite the hail, rain, wind or snow outside! Planning a corporate event can be a difficult task and the last thing you want is for the weather to ruin the planned activities or prevent people from attending your important company event.

Planning a corporate event? If so, you may want to reconsider your plans and hire a marquee. After all, you could save money and enhance the success rate of your event – it’s a win, win!

When one thinks of a winter wedding, the first thing that will probably come to mind is a perfect winter wonderland scene that’s comprised of a bright blue sky and a blanket of soft snow. However perfect that sounds – and it really does sound perfect – many winter weddings fall short and only achieve in creating anxiety and discomfort for their cold, cold guests. Having said this, not all winter weddings do fall short and when planned correctly with all factors taken into consideration, your wedding can be that blissful wonderland that you’ve always dreamed of.

With an Irish winter wedding, the number one concern when it comes to the comfort of your guests is keeping them warm. We’re not going to lie; it can be difficult – but that’s only if you choose the wrong venue. Marquees have literally transformed winter weddings as they bring wedding celebrations to the great outdoors but they ensure the comfort and warmth of all guests – regardless of the outside temperature.

Let’s look at some more reasons why a marquee suits a winter wedding:

It maximises the natural beauty of the great outdoors

The primary reason why brides choose to have their weddings in winter is because they want to encompass the natural beauty of winter into their big day in some way or another. A function room in a hotel cannot give that, but choosing a marquee can. With the installation of heaters, heat lamps and fire pits, your guests can unwind in the great outdoors and appreciate the wintery surroundings without the risk of getting wet or frostbite. In addition, making sure to have plenty of clear windows to the outside winter wonderland will be essential to creating a snow globe ambience.

It’s weather-proof

A lot of couples are naturally concerned about the weather playing havoc and interfering with their perfect day. Marquees have come a long way in terms of design and functionality, and what was once a glorified tent, is now a sturdy structure that’s designed and built to an impeccable standard – so much so that it can weather-proof an event. So, even if wet or blustery weather adorns your big day, your guests will remain warm and cosy within the safe confines of a solid structure and they’ll surely appreciate their comfort when the wind is howling outside.

It allows for complete customisation

If you’re going for a winter theme and would like to customise your venue to suit it, there is no better option than a marquee. It’s virtually a blank canvas that allows for the personalisation of everything from the entrance area and the bar to the dance floor and the colour and lighting scheme of the entire area. You can be as creative as you like in terms of its design so if you’d like to have snowflake fairy lights draping across the top table or fake snow falling from the ceiling, it’s all possible.

Marquees make the perfect wedding venue all year round but there’s something special about winter that makes this venue option so much more fitting, and so much more unique and memorable.

You’ve set the date and now you’re excitedly planning the big day. When it comes to the wedding reception, no doubt you already have a vision in your mind about how you want it to be. Whether you want a casual, fun affair or something far more formal, getting the venue right is vitally important. You need to ensure that you can accommodate all your guests, that your venue is somewhere that is easily accessible for you and your wedding party, that it can cope with whatever the weather throws at you, and that it fits within your budget.

If you’re still debating whether you should hold your reception in a hotel or a marquee, here’s our rundown of why a marquee should be your first choice.

You can adapt a marquee to your personal specifications

Perhaps the main reason for choosing to hire a marquee rather than a hotel for your wedding reception is that you can adapt it to fit your own specifications. Marquees offer total flexibility when it comes to size and design, and it’s also possible to group several marquees together to create the perfect venue. Whether you want to add a cocktail bar, a dance floor or you’d like to have a separate marquee for the catering staff, it’s possible to custom build your design.

You can locate a marquee wherever you like (with permission of course)

Whether you’ve decided to have a small intimate wedding celebration in your garden, you want a fun and informal party in a local farmer’s field, or you want to go the whole hog and locate your marquee in the stunning grounds of a stately home, there will be a marquee to suit every size of party and location.

Your decor can be as simple or as elaborate as you like

Far from being just a tent, wedding marquees can become a magical wonderland, with lighting, heating, decorations, dressed tables and chairs, dance floors and well, just about anything you’d like to include to create your dream wedding reception venue. Most marquee companies offer a design service where they’ll take your ideas and turn them into reality; from carpets, flooring and furniture to lighting, floral arrangements, balloons, and even ice sculptures or chocolate fountains.

Ensures that all your guests are comfortable

While you may think that marquees are only suitable for summer weddings – think again. If you’ve got your heart set on a winter wedding or you want to ensure that your guests don’t feel the chill of a less than perfect summer evening, you’ll find that heavy duty marquees and indoor heaters are the perfect option to keep out intemperate weather and ensure your guests stay snug and warm.

Add atmosphere with lighting

Whether you want to light up your marquee with hundreds of twinkling fairy lights or romantic chandeliers, or you want coloured spotlights to bring life to the party, getting the lighting right will go a long way to creating the perfect atmosphere for your wedding celebration.

Nothing is forgotten

Even if you’re planning to put your marquee in the local farmer’s field, there’ll always be enough luxury loos to ensure that your guests don’t get caught out.

So, as you can see, a marquee is the perfect option for all kinds of wedding receptions, whether big or small, formal or informal, romantic or fun, all year round.

Thinking of throwing a private party? If so, you’ll need to pull out all the stops to make sure you give your guests a night they won’t forget. Private party has a certain connotation to it and your guests expect nothing but the best.

That’s why you should go with a marquee hire for the venue. It promises to add an element of sophistication and fun. Here are the other benefits that make it worthwhile:

Outdoor
Who doesn’t love an outdoor party? Most people do but often refrain from hosting them outside due to weather worries. What if it rains? What if it’s too windy? These are all valid concerns, but not ones you have to worry about if you go with a marquee.

Going this route allows you the best of both worlds. You get to host the party you wanted outdoors while still having coverage and protection from the elements.

Location
We’ve already established that a marquee allows you to have your party outdoors, but where exactly outdoors? The answer is pretty much anywhere actually!

The beauty of it is that you’re not limited to your backyard. So long as you secure a venue that allows outdoor parties, you could have your party at an exclusive location.

Blank canvas
A marquee also allows you the flexibility of any theme your heart desires. It’s like having a blank canvas. In a home or rented space, the tone of the event is often limited due to the décor that already exists. It’s hard to set a mood when what’s already there conflicts with your theme.

However, the sky’s the limit with a marquee. Your blank white canvas can be transformed into anything your mind can dream up. There are no limits. You can make your guests feel like they are in some other world.

Size
Another advantage is that your marquee can be adjusted to the size of your guest list. There’s no party too big or small that can’t be accommodated. By knowing the number of guests attending you’ll be able to customise your marquee to your specific requirements and get a visual of the interior layout.

Professional crew
A marquee hire comes with a team of professionals that do everything from set-up to take down, leaving you to focus on your primary duty of host. By knowing that your event set-up is in the hands of professionals, you can enjoy yourself along with all your guests. You won’t be afraid to let loose, mingle, dance, have a few drinks and enjoy the food.

At the end of the night, your guests won’t want to leave. This is no coincidence. Marquees are the ultimate when it comes to private parties because you get exactly what you want. Your marquee can be transformed into just about anything.
Essentially, you’re creating the exact environment you want for your guests. That element of personal touch is exactly what will have your guests raving about your private party for years to come. If you’re ready for some fun, a marquee hire is the way to go.