Author: Kersti Grundy

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

When planning an event that requires a marquee, understanding how to choose the perfect marquee hire company can often be intimidating and out right confusing. With so much choice, narrowing down to one who fits your needs can be a challenge. After all you want to make sure that whoever you choose for your big event is not going to let you down.

To help you find and select the perfect marquee partner for your wedding, party or celebration, we’ve put together a handy list of things to research to make the hiring process plain sailing.

1.  What’s their experience and track record?

First, you want to make sure the marquee hire company has the right kind of experience. Have they worked on events of a similar size? With a similar budget? And with a similar brief? Is there anything unusual or unique about what you want they’ll need to deal with?  For example, a challenging site with limited access or across multiple levels or locations. How have they dealt with similar issues in the past?

Now’s the time to also find out if they’re used to working with local venues and suppliers such as caterers, event planners and florists.  If so, what’s their approach to this? Your event is likely to include a range of different people and businesses, so being able to work smoothly and efficiently with them all is crucial.

A professional hire company with experience on their side, will be more than happy to talk you through how they work, suggest ideas and provide examples of recent events.

Speaking of examples, browsing their portfolios and social media channels is also a good idea to help get a flavour of what they’ve done and if they’re a good fit for your event. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to get in touch with specific questions, or to request a quote.

Please feel free to browse events with marquees supplied by Marquees and Pavilions here:

Instagram

Pinterest

Portfolio

Gallery

Once you’ve finished this initial research, you should be left with a short list of potential marquee hire companies to further whittle down.

2.  Do customers leave glowing reviews?

The next step is to check out reviews from past customers. Customer feedback is an incredibly useful way to find out first hand whether past experiences have been good or bad.

Testimonials on the website are a good start. But we recommend this is backed up with further reading of reviews on third party sites.  Checking out reviews left on their Facebook page gives a good insight into satisfaction with service, as do customer comments on posts. Look at how quickly are these comments are responded to and is it done professionally and efficiently?  Reviews on Google are another good source of insight into service. As are review platforms such as TrustPilot.

If you’d like to see reviews left for Marquees and Pavilions please feel free to browse these here:

Facebook 

Hitched.com

3.  Are they MUTA members?

After checking reviews look for membership of MUTA. MUTA is the UK’s only trade association dedicated to raising standards of practice in the provision of marquees, tents and structures.

Holding MUTA membership signifies that the company you’re choosing to work with is committed to upholding standards of service and workmanship. A guarantee that they’ll adhere to best practice and specific codes of conduct which require them to be legal, decent, honest and truthful

MUTA members take pride in providing faultless service and display the ‘MUTA accredited hirer member’ logo prominently on their website. You can also search for an accredited hirer near you by using the ‘find a member’ tool on the MUTA website.

Once you’ve clarified they are a MUTA member, reviews are favourable and their portfolio is ticking all your boxes, you need to understand what’s included in the hire package.

4.  What’s included in the price?

There’s nothing worse than hiring a marquee, only to find out all they’re providing you with is a roof for your event. You might think ‘but isn’t that what a marquee is?’, and yes, technically that’s correct.

But your dream marquee is much more than just the frame and cover. There’s the lining, flooring, lighting, tables and chairs. Not to mention dance floor, bar and catering area. As well as essentials such as heating, electrical generators and loos.

When looking for a marquee hire company, it’s important to find one that provides all these essential extras – a one-stop-shop.  So, make sure you find out exactly what’s covered by your quote, paying close attention to any small print.

To help our customers understand what’s covered by our prices, we’ve published a guide to how much it costs to hire a marquee for a wedding or a party.

5.  Can you customise?

While you may opt for a standard package – you might want something a bit more bespoke to create the ‘WOW factor’. A marquee that will have your guests catching their breath in amazement when they arrive. If that’s the case, you’ll need to check your hire company is up to the challenge.

Alongside standard marquee packages, explore with your potential hire company what options there are for customising your event. You’ll find that dance floors can be white, black, mirrored or star lit. Chandeliers can hang elegantly over bar areas. Trestle tables and benches can be supplied for a relaxed and vintage feel. Alongside many other options for flooring, seating, bar areas and linings.

A good marquee hire company will welcome your ideas and come up with suggestions of their own for creating a one-off event that exceeds your dreams and aspirations.

6.  On-site support and coping with problems.

Like with anything in life hurdles can arise. Staff become sick, machinery breaks down, equipment fails to turn up. This is where the knowledge and experience of your chosen company can really come into its own. A good marquee hire business will solve these problems behind the scenes without the client even becoming aware. They come prepared with contingency plans and a phone full of contacts to help solve any problems that arise.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you ask your chosen companies questions about their contingency plans and on-site support in case anything goes wrong.

7.  Next steps.

If Marquees and Pavilions has made it onto your shortlist of chosen marquee hire companies, the next thing is to give us a call.

During our chat we’d love to hear about your event. You’re also more than welcome to ask any questions about our marquee hire service and packages. Following our call, we’ll put together some initial ideas for you.

Then we like to meet with you at your chosen venue to further develop your brief and make a plan of the site. From this we develop our quote.

Once you’ve booked a marquee we understand that changes can happen to the specification. We work with you to accommodate new ideas or changes to guest numbers.

Please send us an enquiry or contact us on:

Tel: 01844 208371

Email: info@marpav.co.uk

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Job description

Job role: Marquee Rigger

Company: Marquees & Pavilions Ltd, Abingdon OX14

Salary: £9.50/hr – Summer job (start dates in April, May & June)

Key responsibilities

This is a great summer job for a motivated and reliable person who likes working outdoors. You need to show a positive and friendly attitude, as you will be working as part of a team.

Candidates need to be fit and active as there can be a lot of heavy lifting and manual handling involved. During busy periods, days can be long with variable finish times. Weekend work will occasionally be required.

You will be helping to:

  • Load/unload vehicles, carry equipment to site and build frame marquees.
  • Ensure tasks are carried out in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Maintain high standards of work and finishing.
  • A driving licence is not essential but you will need to be able to get to/from work each day.

Standard working hours are Mon-Fri (8.00am – 4.00pm), however during busy periods we start at 7.00am and finish times will vary according to workload

Please reply to james@marpav.co.uk with CV & references.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Job description

Job role: Marquee foreman/supervisor

Company: Marquees & Pavilions Ltd, Abingdon OX14

Salary: £35,000 a year + end-of-season bonus – Full-time

Key responsibilities

We are looking for a positive and motivated candidate to join a well-established marquee company. We take on a small number of jobs, with a reputation for working to a high standard.

Candidates must have experience of the wedding and marquee industry. A driving licence, and own transport to get to work, is also essential.

In addition, we are looking for someone with:

  • Good communication skills and friendly manner.
  • The ability to manage others, so that tasks are carried out efficiently.
  • An eye for detail, to ensure high standards of work and finishing.
  • A positive attitude to Health & Safety culture.
  • Additional training & courses will be provided as necessary.

Standard working hours are Mon-Fri (8.00am – 4.00pm), however through the summer we start at 7.00am and finish times will vary according to workload. Weekend work will occasionally be required.

Remuneration will include an end-of-season bonus, holiday entitlement and workplace pension scheme.

Please reply to james@marpav.co.uk with CV & references.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

**FREE SERVICE FOR 2021 BRIDES**

A luxury marquee provides the ultimate ‘blank canvas’ for your wedding.

However, whilst they offer flexibility and varied options, we also recognise that this has the potential to be a little daunting.

So, working alongside an experienced Wedding Planner, we are now offering a free initial online consultation for all new wedding bookings.

This new service aims to provide additional advice and guide you through some of the key areas, including:

  • A review of your marquee layout, specification and interior styling
  • Advice regards catering options, staffing and stocking a bar
  • Booking other suppliers such as musicians and entertainers, florists and photographers
  • Help with your running order and ‘on-the-day’ itinerary

To enquire about our wedding marquees, please get in touch with Marquees and Pavilions.

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony At The Old Swan & Minster Mill Hotel Cotswolds

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

When searching for the perfect wedding marquee to hire there has been one style we’ve seen asked for more and more over recent years.  Since Pippa Middleton showed the world how stunning glass marquees can be for a wedding, the popularity of a conservatory style wedding marquee has soared with our clients.

When you look at the benefits, it’s easy to see why:

Fabulous 360 degree views

Nestling a clear span frame marquee within beautiful countryside, grounds or gardens affords your guests the most glorious views day and night through the clear roof and sides.

A modern twist on a classic marquee

If you think a traditional marquee looks a little old fashioned, then this style is for you. Its clean, clear lines look just as good dressed in vintage interiors for a summer wedding, as it does with ultra on-trend mirrored tables and dance floor for an evening party.

Flexibility in size and design

Being built from a frame it can easily shrink or grow to fit the size of your wedding party and desired layout. You can also choose to have just one part of your marquee with clear roof and sides, whilst other areas provide a bit more cover with pleated ceilings and clear sides.

Available all year round

Conservatory style marquees are perfect for any occasion and any time of year. Adding voiles, decorative linings or swags of foliage can provide shade on a warm Summer’s day. Interiors bedecked with twinkling fairy lights will mirror the uninterrupted views of star filled skies on clear Winter nights.

You can see just how versatile glass marquees can be by taking a look at a couple of our client’s weddings.

Summer wedding on the Charfor Wine Estate

Set amongst the vines on the Charfor Wine Estate, a clear span frame marquee provided the perfect setting for a summer wedding.

clear span marquee in vineyard

Pulling inspiration from the gorgeous grounds, the interiors were given a relaxed, natural styling so marquee and venue worked in harmony together.

vintage styled interior of clear span frame marquee

The relaxed styling of the interiors was mirrored beautifully outside by the hale bale seating and traditional British games.

conservatory style marquee for wedding

 

Day to night transformation

In contrast, this glass marquee provided a stylish backdrop to an equally stylish wedding at the renowned Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons.

glass marquee wedding Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons

Our brief was to build a marquee that could transform seamlessly from daytime ceremony to a contemporary evening party complete with mirror theme throughout.

glass marquee set up for evening wedding party

If you’d like to find out more about hiring a glass marquee please feel free to get in touch. We’d be delighted to discuss your options and provide you with a few ideas. You can speak to us on 01844 208371 or send us a message with your details.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Planning a wedding or party an often overlooked but vital part of any occasion is the dance floor.  But a dance floor is just a dance floor right?  Wrong! A dance floor is where many of the most memorable moments of an event happen.  It’s where newlyweds will share their first dance together. It’s where new couples are formed. It’s where young and old, disco divas and strictly wannabes can strut their stuff.  After the formalities of many events, it’s where guests can let loose and really get the party started.

Making sure your dance floor takes centre stage at your event is something we at Marquees and Pavilions know a thing or two about.  We have a wide range of styles that you can choose from that will enhance your theme and get everyone up and grooving the night away.

Solid black dance floor

Sleek and chic our solid black dance floor gives a glamorous edge to any event.  As in this example, it also provides a beautifully reflective surface for lights positioned above it.

black dance floor

Solid black LED dance floor

LED lights twinkle in a high gloss solid black dance floor to give the impression you’re dancing on stars.

black LED dance floor

Solid white dance floor

Our solid white dance floor oozes sophistication and elegance. Perfect for classical weddings which want that high-end feel.

white dance floor

Solid white LED dance floor

A twinkling brilliant white dance floor that’s ideal for winter themed parties and romantic weddings.

white LED dance floor

White and black squared dance floor

A creative combination to produce a stylish dance floor for a Great Gatsby inspired party.

white and black squared dance floor

Mirrored dance floor

A mirrored dance floor is a showstopper at any event.  Matched with other mirrored accessories, and clever lighting, you can turn your marquee into a truly stunning space.

mirrored dance floor

Chequered dance floor

A traditional look that never goes out of fashion. Ideal for weddings and parties alike.

Parquet dance floor

Another traditional favourite that also works well for vintage inspired themes.

parquet dance floor

If you’re planning a party or a wedding and require a marquee, please feel free to get in touch.  Marquees and Pavilions are a high end supplier of bespoke marquees for weddings and parties in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon area. We provide a complete venue for your outdoor event to include not only the dance floor but also the interior lining, furniture, lighting, heating, generator and loos.

Feel free to call us for a free quote 01844 208371 or or drop us an email on info@marpav.co.uk.

 

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Planning a wedding can be very hectic and time consuming as you juggle organising your big day alongside the demands of everyday life. A huge aspect of this planning is selecting and styling the right venue from the many choices available. So the ability to find help with this is crucial to being able to make it through the wedding planning stage stress-free.

One such option is to hire a marquee for your wedding reception. Contrary to popular belief, choosing a bespoke marquee can be less work than the alternative bricks and mortar venue. Not only does it offer you freedom on where you choose to have your wedding (a large back garden, the ground of an historic venue or in a field with views of the coast), you can also hand over the organising and planning of your event to seasoned professional such as Marquees and Pavilions.

By handing over the reigns of organising your venue to the experts, you can free up your time for the more exciting tasks of deciding where to honeymoon and what you’re going to wear. Having organised a wealth of weddings before you, they can help guide you through the day and take care of everything from designing the ideal venue, to making sure it’s equipped with everything you need for your special day.

If you’re thinking of hiring a marquee for a garden wedding, here’s our guide what you need to consider.

1. Site Visit & Planning

Before booking your marquee you should first organise a site visit. This is crucial in helping to establish:

  • The size of the venue so we can provide the right size marquee to fit the space available.
  • Type of garden.  Is it grass lawn or patio/hardstanding?  Does it slope or have any large trees or shrubs or garden features.  For example, fountains and statues could be enhanced by lighting or even included within the marquee as a feature!
  • Access to and from the garden so we can establish how best to transport/carry the marquee equipment onto the site.
  • If there is a power supply available from the main house or whether we will need to use a generator.
  • Your bespoke requirements such as style of the marquee, what type of lighting is preferred, catering area required, loos required etc.
  • Available budgets so that the size and style of the marquee can be tailored to fit the budget available.

There is no extra cost for the site visit.

2. Design

Once the above has been confirmed we will go away and come back to you with whole list of questions to finalise the design. This is where you start making decisions on how you want your perfect wedding venue to look and feel.

First we will let you know the potential size of the marquee available for your garden, which in turn gives us the maximum number of guests that your marquee can cater for. By using modular marquees – our marquees are built in 3m section – this gives you plenty of options for increasing and decreasing the marquee in size and design to ensure all your guests fit in comfortably.

Then we ask you to choose your flooring from the selection of matting, wooden floor with carpet or cassette flooring. Depending on the ground of the site we may have to suggest the best flooring option. If the ground is soggy or uneven, we would suggest the wooden flooring and carpet option to keep the marquee floor level. If the ground has a particularly steep gradient a cassette floor would be necessary.

Once these details have been finalised we get on with designing the bespoke drawing of your marquee and garden. The drawing is to scale which will help you when it comes to planning the finishing touches. We will be sure to include plenty of windows if your site has spectacular views or incorporate outside lighting to highlight particular garden feature or areas of the grounds.

Following the site visit and the initial drawing we provide you with a detailed quote with no hidden costs, that also includes any delivery charges.

Once the initial drawing has been finalised the fun begins! You are now in charge of choosing the perfect lining, lighting and dance floor to fit with your theme. We have multiple options to make your marquee unique to you and are happy to provide you with lots of ideas. No two of our marquees have ever been the same!

3. Installation

Once you have agreed the plan and made the booking, you can leave the rest to us!

Depending on the size of a marquee it can take from 1 – 3 days to build & approximately 1-2 days to take down. We inform and discuss install and de-rig dates directly with the clients to ensure it works for everyone.

Should you wish to find out more about hiring a marquee for a garden wedding please feel free to call Marquees and Pavilions to speak to one of our experts. We’re more than happy to provide you with guidance and ideas based on our many years of experience, or to arrange a site visit so that we may prepare you a quote. You can call us directly on 01844 208 371 or get in touch via our contact form.

In the meantime, we leave you with a few final tips on how to get the most from your marquee:

  • Planning – the initial planning is the key, if you have thought through the process thoroughly from the start then the rest of the plans “should” run together smoothly.
  • Budget – we appreciate that some potential clients do not wish to discuss this particular point but it can be very helpful for ourselves to ensure that our quote is within budget and realistically achievable.
  • Communication – don’t be afraid to call us if you have any questions, we have a wealth of experience and establishing any issues and resolving them quickly is the best way forward. We will always have productive and constructive answers to help towards resolving any issues.
  • Power Requirements – it is helpful to know how much power everyone will be using in the marquee, for example, the caterers, band/DJ, photo booths and chocolate fountains etc. Last thing you want is someone plugging in an appliance and it overloads the system!
Posted on by Kersti Grundy

A rustic wedding is a popular theme we’re asked for time and time again by clients.  With the laid-back, carefree atmosphere it brings to the celebrations, this is a theme that fits with a marquee wedding perfectly and offers endless opportunities when it comes to styling.

We also love the fact that the homemade and handmade feel of a rustic wedding, brings the opportunity to get family and friends involved in bringing your wedding plans to reality.

To help get you started, here are just a few ideas for how you can introduce a rustic wedding theme to your special day.

Set the scene with vintage chairs and tables

Vintage trestle tables accompanied with wooden folding chairs or a selection of vintage chairs complements the rustic look and really help set the scene. Leave the table without tablecloths so diners can see the natural patterns and textures of the wood. Set the tables with pretty vintage crockery and table decorations sourced through local antique shops or specialist vintage suppliers.

Trestle tables and chairs

Around the bar area, look for something quirky such as the oak barrel and adjustable fur topped bar stools.

barrel table and fur topped stools
A stacked suitcase bar table can double up not just as somewhere to rest your drinks, but also as a stand for holding a large floral display in a vintage vase, candelabra or even the wedding cake.

stacked suitcase wedding cake plinth

Serve up some retro cocktails from a handmade bar

One of the most asked for requests we get is for a rustic bar from which to serve up retro cocktails and drinks. Here we love how wooden apple crates have been used at the back of the bar for storing glasses and bottles.

rustic bar made from repurposed old doors

bar area made from old crates

 

Or, if you are feeling adventurous, why not check out how you could build your own! After all rustic and home made go hand-in-hand.  For creative inspiration we found some brilliant examples of how others have been building rustic bars on Pinterest. This would make a great project for the groom and his friends.

Be on trend with hanging floral features

Hanging floral features are something we are seeing more and more of as a way to add impact and drama to wedding decorations. They also work incredibly well with a rustic wedding theme.

When choosing your flowers keep them simple and in season. Nothing too fussy or OTT.  The beauty of rustic wedding flowers is that they are meant to look loose and organic. Aim for something natural and romantic, that looks like been freshly gathered from the garden.

For budding florists this is another opportunity to get creative and make your own. Check out Pinterest for inspiration.

hanging floral feature over wedding table

Ivory pleated marquee lining provides the perfect backdrop

The best back drop to a rustic look is our ivory pleated lining on both the walls and ceilings of your marquee. This gives you the perfect blank canvas to dress as you wish. To complement the pleated lining we suggest using simple ‘nut’ coloured matting or carpet on the floor.

ivory pleated marquee lining

For more information for how to bring the rustic feel to your wedding day please feel free to speak to us here at Marquees and Pavilions.  Call us on 01844 208 371 or take a look through our portfolio for inspiration and ideas.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

The sun is getting warmer and Spring is definitely on its way! If you are having a summer marquee wedding you will most likely be very busy planning everything from your dress, to the caterers, the entertainment and not forgetting the decorations.

The beauty of choosing a marquee is that you can get creative with your decorations and bring your own style to a blank canvas. One area where you can really let your imagination run wild is with the flowers you choose to hang, drape or arrange throughout your venue.

The trendiest colour

When it comes to flowers, greenery was last year’s top colour and many weddings were lavishly decorated in green foliage. This year vivid Ultra Violet is the colour to go for if you want your wedding flowers to be bag on trend.

Bringing the outside in

Having a marquee wedding offers the wonderful opportunity to draw inspiration from the surrounding grounds and bring elements of the outside into your reception space. Picking wedding colours and floral displays to compliment external planting schemes, will create the illusion of a bigger space and tie the two separate areas together. Just remember when planning your scheme to think about what will be in bloom during the month of your wedding.

Likewise, if you’ve got a marquee in a stunning setting, why not make the most of the grounds by creating a magical space that’s dressed to meet your theme.

luxury wedding floral display

Living walls

Living walls are another big trend when it comes to wedding flowers this year and look fabulous as as backdrop to seating areas, or the top table. Choosing one of our glass marquees your venue will be surrounded by living walls!

Super succulents

Succulents are proving to continue their success from being massive in interior design in 2017. This year they will be very popular as wedding decorations too, either in arrangements with complimentary flowers, or on their own. Succulents will also make brilliant wedding favours that can be handed out at the end of the day.

succulents in wedding flowers

 

All things bright and beautiful

One of our favourites, the darling Dahlia, is making a come back to the wedding flower scene. This is good news if you are looking to source your flowers locally from Britain. Dahlias are in season from May to November and if your wedding fits in their growing season, you are onto a winner!

Make it your own

Whatever flower trend of the year takes your fancy, the most important thing is to create a day that is personal to you. Your marquee offers the opportunity to decorate without limitations so that you can create the most wonderful wedding day to remember for many years to come.

How we can help

Flowers play such an important part through out your wedding day and many Brides and Grooms end up stressing about their flower displays. We work closely with many local wedding suppliers and can help you in choosing the right florist for you.

Should you be planning your own wedding, Marquees and Pavilions can help. We offer a wide range of wedding marquees that can be configured to suit any type of venue. For more information about hiring one of our marquees please feel free to drop us a line with your requirements or call 01844 208 371 to request a free quote.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

 

Marquees as a wedding venue are becoming increasingly popular, particularly during the summer months. They offer a most versatile space which allows you to create a wedding to match your individual style and personalities.

To help you plan the most perfect summer marquee wedding, we wanted to share with you a few things to think about when planning your event.

First to consider is the location. Marquees can be built in your back garden, grounds of a manor house or in a field. In fact, pretty much anywhere there is enough space. If you have a site in mind you need to make sure there is vehicle access, so your marquee can be set up. You’ll also need to think about parking for your visitors on the day.

Next are the practicalities. Is there water, power and toilets? No power is no issue, as we can provide your venue with a generator. If there is no water supply, you should discuss this with your caterer, so they can make arrangements. Toilets can be set up with no water supply. Whilst your wedding is planned for the summer, do you want to make arrangements for additional heating should it turn cooler in the evening.

Then you can move onto the design. When it comes to size and shape you can have pretty much whatever you like due to the bespoke nature of marquees. Consider how many people it needs to comfortably hold. Do you want a separate area for dancing, eating, greeting, chilling, or an open plan area that fits all needs. What’s your budget? This will also affect the size and scale of your plans.

Once you have your design agreed, you can decide on decorations. As marquees offer a blank canvas, the sky really is the limit to what you can achieve. But remember you’ll have to think about every detail. A good place to start is to get the foundations in place first. This includes everything from the layout of the tables and the chairs, to floor coverings and ceiling drapes. Then you can have fun with adding the finishing touches with your choice of tableware and glasses, floral arrangements and the thoughtful little extras that make all the difference.

And don’t forget the lighting. Here the opportunities are endless whether you go for extravagant chandeliers, strings of fairy lights, to flickering candlelight, it can make a real difference to the end result. Be sure to think about the exterior lighting as well, particularly as the views from the marquee are just as important as the interior. On a more practical note, lighting the route to the toilets and the car park is extremely helpful for guests.

Cost is another consideration when planning your day.  To help with preparing and budgeting for yours, we’ve also provided an outline of estimated costs of hire packages for a range of different sized marquees we provide.

When you use a marquee hire company like ourselves, we provide everything you need to give you a temporary venue for your event. Our service includes a site suitability survey, bespoke marquee design and supply and build of the structure, complete with flooring, linings and drapes, lighting and heating, electrical distribution and power supply. We also supply dining furniture, outdoor furniture, lounge furniture, dance floors, stages and bar. If you need event loos, we can do that too. We can also provide help and guidance with choosing your suppliers and can recommend local wedding planners, caterers and photographers.

Whilst we’ve endeavoured to provide as much of a guide as possible, each event is unique and will require a more detailed site visit and quote (a service we offer free of charge).

Should you wish to receive a more accurate quote for the price of a marquee, we’d be more than happy to help. Please feel free to contact us on 01844 208 371 to arrange your visit, or simply to talk through any questions you might have.

For more ideas, check out our portfolio and be sure to follow us on social media too.

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

 

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

When planning any kind of celebration, whether it’s a birthday party, an anniversary or your wedding, hiring a marquee could be the best venue option. As a venue, marquees are incredibly versatile, allowing you to create an event exactly as you want it. You don’t have to limit your guest numbers, you can build a space to meet your needs, use your chosen catering company and create the décor to meet your wildest dreams!

Imagine a beautiful countryside or stunning coastal setting for a summer wedding, or a winter themed party in your own garden strewn with stunning lighting.

Just in case you need any further persuasion, we’ve put together our top 5 reasons why a marquee is a perfect solution for any party.

1. They are incredibly versatile

Marquee weddings and parties, offer you the opportunity to entirely design your wedding to your taste. There are no restrictions on how many quests to invite, who to use for catering or where to have the wedding. All you need is a large space, which could even be your back garden or a field.

2. They provide you with a blank canvas

When it comes to how you decorate your marquee, the sky really is the limit. With no restrictions regarding decorations or preferred suppliers to use, you can let your imagination run wild and go to town on interior décor and layout of your venue. With so many themes to choose from, traditional, vintage, festival or beach party to name just a few, you can create something unique and individual, that means something special to you and your guests.

3. You can tailor a marquee to suit your budget

Whether you are planning the most elaborate wedding or a small gathering, marquees can cater for all budgets. You can rope in the family to help you decorate the marquee or you can hire a wedding planner to help you make your dream wedding come true. The same is true with the catering. You could hire a sommelier to help you choose the perfect wine list or find your own wine. You can pick the best caterer to wow your quests with the most amazing food or you can do the catering yourself. A marquee is a blank canvas for you to create the most amazing event that matches to your budget.

4. There’s no limit to the location

With the help of a specialist marquee team, such as ourselves, you can have your event wherever you decide (subject of course to the permission of the landowner and a site survey). From start to finish our team will help you plan the layout, discuss what extras you might need (a bar area, a dance floor, a chill out room, and not forgetting catering equipment and the loos), build your dream venue and breakdown the marquee at the end of the day.

Wherever you decide to locate it, make sure you make the most of the outside views with either a glass or frame marquee. Both of these options provide large clear windows and roofs that allow guests to enjoy the fabulous views whatever the weather may bring.

5. You can decide when you want to stop the party

You can party the night away until the cows come home in a marquee! This is your big day and no one should be telling you when to stop the party. When you hire a marquee as your venue, you are free to choose how long the party goes on for. Just make sure your neighbours are invited too!

We would be more than happy to have a chat with you with regards to using one of our bespoke marquees as your wedding or party venue. For more information, please feel free to contact us on 01844 208 371, or check out our Pinterest for ideas.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Royal weddings are in the news again with the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement. Just a few months ago in May 2017 The Duchess of Cambridge’s sister Pippa also tied the knot. But whereas her sister Kate was married to Prince William in the dark interior of Westminster Abbey and brother in law Harry will wed at Windsor Castle, Pippa got married in a rural church and then had a reception at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Despite that sounding like it might have been a bit of a budget affair, the choices that Pippa and her fiancée James Matthews made added up to a truly spectacular wedding.

The key choice was the venue. Bucklebury is set in spectacular countryside and the couple wanted the location to be a key element of their wedding. But how to accommodate hundreds of guests when you are planning to have your reception at home?

The solution was to hire a modern ‘glass marquee’ for the Middleton’s garden. This wonderful innovation provided them with a huge covered area that kept everyone safe from the elements but didn’t impede the view of the beautiful surroundings.

Although called glass marquees, the temporary structures of this type are usually glazed with clear acrylic for safety. They have become an enormously popular alternative to traditional canvas marquees in recent years and Pippa’s wedding will only boost the trend.

Marquees these days are modular so they can be reshaped in an almost infinite variety of configurations to fit the available space. If your dream wedding reception location happens to be on a steep hillside, no problem. A modern marquee comes with a self supported floor so guests can dance on a smooth flat floor, no matter how undulating the ground beneath might be.

The key benefit of glass marquees for event planners is that they allow the grounds around the marquee to be lit with spectacular colour displays. With the right lights you can achieve a true ‘wonderland’ look that only improves as the night begins to fall. In a traditional tent or indoor wedding all that effort of lighting the garden would be wasted because nobody would see much of it, but in a transparent marquee a beautifully lit garden remains on display throughout the evening.

Whether Meghan and Harry opt for a glass marquee in the private gardens of Windsor Castle remains to be seen, but with Her Majesty the Queen’s famously beautiful trees and stunning flower beds lit to perfection, a glass marquee at Windsor really would provide a wedding venue fit for a princess.

Should you be planning your own wedding and wish to give it the royal touch, Marquees and Pavilions can help.  We offer a wide range of wedding marquees that can be configured to suit any type of venue.  For more information about our wedding marquees for hire please feel free to drop us a line with your requirements or call 01844 208 371 to request a free quote.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

In this age of Instagram, more and more couples are looking for a unique and alternative venue to really show off the individuality of their wedding.

Whilst some might jet off to far flung corners of the earth to get hitched in exotic locations, others choose the full on, white wedding experience complete with church ceremony and traditional venue.

However, if you’ve got the outdoor space available, one of the fastest growing trends is to host your wedding at home in your back garden by hiring a huge marquee and styling it to meet your wildest desires. Whether you want to go vintage, Hollywood glamour, or craftalicious – there are no limits to what you can achieve.

Glass marquees work particularly well as the perfect neutral space where you can really go to town with your décor both inside and out. The large windows that surround the marquee not only allow natural light to flood in, but give guests panoramic views of impressive grounds or buildings. This provides an ideal opportunity to extend your styling outside and into the surrounding area.

Lighting

Lighting in particular can be used to dramatic effect with glass marquees. Done well, it extends your wedding party outside, long into into the evening; highlighting particular features or projecting light shows onto nearby buildings or the marquee itself.

Decorations

Using foliage as part of your wedding decor remains very much in. We particularly love the woodland look with beautiful bouquets and decorations with plenty of leaves. This not only follows the natural look trend, but is also a lot easier on the budget than most other styles! Good news all around.

The 1970s craft, Macramé, is officially back and it is a perfect trend for decorating your venue. Why not involve friends and family to help you create amazing handmade ceremony backdrops or table runners and bunting?

Mobile bar

If you’re encouraging everyone outside, why not cater to them there too? Another emerging wedding trend is the use of a mobile bar. You can choose from anything from a vintage camper to a refurbished horse box as an additional bar for your wedding party.

Just one thing worth bearing in mind with a glass marquee is that it can can get very hot in direct sunlight. This can be easily dealt with by careful choice of where to place it in your venue. Remember, that the sun moves through the day, so a shaded spot in the morning may be in full sun by the late afternoon.

If you’re thinking of organising your perfect “back garden wedding” we are here to help.  Marquees and Pavilions have a selection of glass marquees for hire, which can be configured to meet your exact needs. For more info please drop us a line or give us a call on 01844 208 371. We have also compiled an extensive list of frequently asked questions that may help you with your decision making.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Most brides favour the summer months for weddings. Granted you get long evenings, warm weather and the pick of the crop for honeymoons dedicated to sun-worshipping. But a summer wedding can also mean stifling hot weather, uncomfortable guests steadily cooking in their suits and serious cases of sunburnt shoulders.

Which is why canny couples are shunning the warmer months in favour of winter weddings, and that lovely feeling of hygge that these cooler months bring.

If you’re thinking of the colder month for your special celebration, how different does your planning need to be? One important aspect of any winter wedding is the venue, and one surprising option works particularly well at this time of year.

The obvious venue choice might seem to be a stately home or listed property, complete with oak paneling and roaring fires. However, as attractive as this options seem, they do have their limitations. Depending on the venue you might not be able to have candles or certain decorations for fear of damaging ancient interiors. You’re also limited to the on-site caterer with a fixed array of set menus from which to choose your wedding feast. Then there is the high cost of bar drinks wedding guests are often required to pay in some locations.

A clever alternative is to hire a marquee. First and foremost, get the idea out of your head that these are cold, draughty affairs. Modern marquees are capable of withstanding whatever the British weather throws at it, from freezing temperatures to gusting winds, driving rain and even snow. They can also be heated to ensure guests are warm and comfortable.

So a marquee is as good as a building right? Well no, a marquee can be so much better!

For a start, if you want to really push the boat out with your décor a marquee will allow you to do just that. A marquee interior is a fantastic blank canvas on to which you can project your wildest imaginings for a winter themed wedding.

Winter Wedding Marquee

At this time of year, looking to nature for inspiration works really well. Imagine a marquee decked out in tree branches and twigs festooned with lights and berries. Candles twinkling on the table and gold accents to create a warm luxurious feel. Add a bit more opulence with chandeliers hanging from a star spangled ceiling, and throws to add a splash of colour and add a little extra warmth for guests.

As for your wedding feast, you’ll find no set menus to choose from here. Instead you can take your pick from a wealth of fantastic caterers so your meals can reflect your individual style and taste. Whether you decide to go formal with a three course silver service meal, to a more casual help yourself buffet or bang on trend street food caterer, everything about your menu can be as unique as you desire.

Likewise when it comes to drinks you can carefully select your favourite wine to match your meal, choose soft drinks for children and designation drivers, and ensure there’s a well stocked bar to help your guests party into the evening.

Get help from the marquee experts

Marquees and Pavilions are a supplier of high quality wedding marquees for hire. We have a vast amount of experience in creating beautiful bespoke venues to host remarkable weddings.

From start to finish we are with you every step of the way to ensure your day runs smoothly. We start by surveying your location, before designing a marquee layout that includes everything you and your guests will need (including heating, lighting, generators, catering and toilet facilities), through to installation and being on hand during the day itself to make sure everything runs without a hitch.

So if you’re thinking of winter wedding and want to know more about our marquee options, please feel free to get in touch.  Call us on 01844 208371 or drop us an enquiry.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

It feels like we’ve only just stowed our suitcases and packed away our beach hats before it’s that time of year when the office taskforce mobilises to start organising the works Christmas do.

For some it can turn into a full blown military campaign of canapé sampling, venue hunting and intricate excel spreadsheets of dietary requirements.

But even after the most meticulous of campaign planning, the actual event can often fall a little flat. Why? Because, the off-the-shelf Christmas party package you chose doesn’t quite match up to your expectations.

So what’s the alternative? How about building your Christmas event from scratch?

Santas Sleigh At Office Christmas Party

Christmas – just as you want it

First you need to find your location.  The closest venue with the cheapest package will appeal to the penny pinching Scrooge of the group, but we all know that Christmas isn’t the time to scrimp and save. It’s a time to splurge and say thank you to hard working employees by delivering an evening to remember.

So why not find a fabulous location, hire a luxury marquee and build the event of your dreams.

The beauty of a marquee is that you can place it practically anywhere (subject of course to a full site survey). This could be in your office grounds, in a local farmers field or at one of the many beautiful venues willing to hire out their grounds.

Then, thanks to their modular design, you can create a space that’s exactly the right size and shape to comfortably accommodate your guests and any entertainment you have planned.

Once you have your space nailed down, it’s a case of deciding on a theme. Whether it’s a traditional Winter Wonderland or a Nordic inspired event, your theme will help pull everything together and get everyone in the mood for Christmas.

Winter Wonderland Themed Christmas Party

The next step is to find suppliers to help you deliver your dream. Caterers can be briefed to create a food menu with flair that aligns closely to your theme. Bartenders can choose drinks and design cocktails to complement the food and help get the party started. Event stylists will choose just the right decorations to create the ideal ambience and set a magical scene for the evening ahead. Entertainment will bring even the shyest office wallflower out of their shell and into the festive spirit.

So that’s it. The date is set. The location is confirmed. The marquee and suppliers booked. All that’s left to do is to send the invitations to the best Christmas party this season.

A marquee hire company with the credentials you need

Marquees and Pavilions are a supplier of high quality party marquees for hire.  Helping to create remarkable events, we are with you every step of the way from initial site survey, through to installation and being on hand to help with the finishing touches on the day. We can work hand-in-hand with your suppliers and will do everything we can to ensure your party is a success.

There’s no need to worry about the weather either.  Each of our marquees can withstand rain, wind and snow, and can be fully equipped with everything you could need for a winter event.  This includes heating, lighting, generators, catering and toilet facilities.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Great news for all brides to be and event planners.  Marquees and Pavilions are offering a fantastic 10% discount for 2018 marquee hire bookings that are confirmed by 30 November 2017.

To be eligible for this offer:

  • The booking value must exceed £3k (before 10% discount & VAT).
  • We require signed order confirmation and deposit payment by 30 November 2017.

For more information about our marquee hire, or to receive a quote for your event, please call us on 01844 208371

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Located on 254 West 54tNightclub Marquee Studio 54 ThemeNightclub Marqueeh Street was a former nightclub namely “Studio 54” based in Manhattan, New York City.  The nightclub opened in 1977 and became the World’s Most Famous Nightclub!!  It was the place to be seen if you were a famous celebrity.  The wild success has forever been put down to the owner Steve Rubell’s first rule of partying “The key to a good party is filling a room with guests more interesting than you”.  Did you know that it the club only stayed open for 33 months and was closed down in 1979!

Here is a great idea for a “Studio 54” Nightclub Themed Party for anyone’s 18th, 21st, 30th, 40th (or older) Birthday party!  Customise your party marquee by having a cocktail bar and enjoy sipping cocktails all night, shaken or stirred!  There are countless options for furniture which can be styled in the classic 1970s fashion and even an LED flashing dance floor if you so wish.  Using blackout wall and roof lining to any marquee (even in the Summer daylight hours) it will still give you a nightclub atmosphere. Your nightclub themed marquee creation ideas are endless . . .

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Please find below details of professional event caterers who cover Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The perfect catering solution for weddings and parties.

Oxford Fine Dining

01865 728240 | wedding@oxfordfinedining.co.uk | website

Lamb Catering

Lamb Catering and Events is a family run catering firm based in Oxford and provides catering at many of the prestigious venues throughout Oxford as well as the home counties and west London.  Whether you are looking for elegant canapes an Afternoon Tea, a traditional 3-course sit down, Ottolenghi style sharing platters or perhaps a full vegan menu;  the team at Lamb works with you to create a menu totally bespoke to you.

01865 772446 | info@lambcatering.co.uk | website

Home and Away Events

07531 357455 | info@homeandawayevents.com | website

Goose & Berry

01628 298080 | hello@gooseandberry.co.uk | website

Cavendish Events

01844 202299 | food@cavendishevents.co.uk | website

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Our selection of beautiful wedding venues in Buckinghamshire suitable for accommodating a marquee for a wedding.

Nether Winchendon House

Nether Winchendon House, Nether Winchendon, Buckinghamshire,  HP180DY |  01844 290101 | contactus@netherwinchendonhouse.com | website

Nether Winchendon House is timelessly enchanting and fabulous. This venue is absolutely unique and perfect for a truly romantic day and wonderful photographs.

An enchanting location for a Marquee Wedding is The East Lawn, surrounded by rustic walls and old fashioned English flowers.

The Walled Garden is smaller and more intimate and particularly suitable for weddings in the winter months.

West Wycombe Park

West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3AJ | 01494 524 412 | office@westwycombeestate.co.uk | website

The buildings and grounds here are impossible to parallel and provide an impressive array of variation to suit almost any desire that you may have for a wedding; whether it be through a traditional church service or a civil ceremony in the Mansion.

Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH | 01296 653216 | weddings.waddesdon@nationaltrust.org.uk | website

Without doubt one of the loveliest wedding venues in Buckinghamshire. The Dairy nestles in a tranquil waterside setting amidst glorious gardens offering a haven of peaceful tranquility where total exclusivity is guaranteed for a wedding. Breathtakingly beautiful, with architecturally elegant rooms, roaring log fires in winter and a wide terrace with two pavilions projecting out into the lake perfect for shaded summer drinks receptions. The Dairy offers a wonderfully romantic backdrop – whatever the season.

Marquees over the central courtyard are ideal for couples wanting a wedding reception for between 110 and 200 guests, subject to availability of dates.

The Five Arrows, Waddesdon

The Five Arrows, High Street, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JE | 01296 651727 | mailto:events@waddesdon.org.uk | website

There is no typical wedding at the Five Arrows, but to every single event there is a sense of understated elegance and ease. If there is something that you imagine as part of your day, let us know and we will do our best to make it happen. The Grade II listed Five Arrows is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships, so you can enjoy the whole of your perfect day on site if you choose. We offer exclusive use of all the rooms, the restaurant, gardens and Old Coach House so you can celebrate with your nearest and dearest in this unique boutique hotel.

 

Dorton House

Dorton House, Dorton, Aylesbury, HP18 9NG | 07850 891 769 | enquiries@DortonHouse.net |

Whether you decide on a small and intimate service or a large glamorous event, the  15th century Mansion nestled in idyllic rolling countryside offers a stunning backdrop against which to capture beautiful memories of your wedding in Buckinghamshire.

A marquee extension on South Lawn can accommodate up to 130 guests for a sit down Wedding Breakfast, or 200 for an standing party.

Or have a marquee in the grounds. With 30 acres to choose from, the choice of location is yours, whether it be hidden in the magical walled garden, somewhere on the Front Lawns or on the North Terrace, you decide.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Our selection of the most beautiful venues in Berkshire suitable for accommodating a marquee for a wedding.

Mapledurham House and Watermill

Mapledurham Estate, Mapledurham, Reading, RG4 7TR | 0118 972 3350 |
e-mail: enquiries@mapledurham.co.uk | website

Mapledurham boasts a number of beautiful locations that are ideal venues for all sorts of events and functions.

Stubbings House

Stubbings House, Henley Road, Maidenhead, berks, SL6 6QL | 01628 820140 | info@stubbingsgroup.com | website

The glorious grounds of Stubbings House are so spacious that whether you want just a few, or hundreds of guests, the choice is yours.

The Estate offers a totally flexible blank canvass upon which you decide what’s best for your dream day.

Posted on by Kersti Grundy

Our selection of the most beautiful venues in Oxfordshire suitable for accommodating a marquee for a wedding.

Stonor Park

Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6HF | 01491-638587 | website

Stonor Park is hidden in a fold of the Chiltern Hills, five miles from Henley and the Thames. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the fine Tudor E-shape house with a warm brick facade is surrounded by parkland. The fourteenth century Chapel situated on the south-east corner, is built from flint and stone

The Croquet Lawn can host marquees for a capacity of 120 seated guests, with space for a dance floor and reception area. For a reception only, 150 guests may be accommodated.

On the Front Lawn there is ample space for larger marquees accommodating up to 500 guests.

Rousham House & Gardens

Rousham House, Rousham, nr Steeple Aston, Bicester, OX25 4QX | 01869 347 665 | events@rousham.org | website

Rousham is an ideal Oxfordshire venue for wedding receptions, offering a site to pitch a marquee together with acres of landscape and formal gardens that can be used for photographs and pre-reception drinks.

Common Leys Farm

Common Leys Farm, Waterperry Common, Oxfordshire, OX33 1LQ | 01865 351266 | allie@commonleysfarm.com | website

A gorgeous venue for a fabulous wedding, where over 100 guests can enjoy champagne and Pimms in the picturesque courtyard, followed by a sit-down buffet, evening hog roast, live band and dancing into the wee small hours in a beautiful marquee situated in the large garden, with direct tented access from our bar area.

Shelswell Park

Shelswell Park, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX27 8EH | 01280 848680 | estateoffice@shelswellpark.co.uk | website

Set in mature and ancient parkland, Shelswell Park provides a tranquil setting for your wedding reception or event with stunning views and a beautiful lake. Offering uninterrupted space and privacy, it has easy access to major roads and is only 10 minutes from the M40 and an hour from London.

Aynhoe Park

Aynhoe Park, Aynho, Oxfordshire, OX17 3BQ | 01869 810 636 | thebutler@aynhoepark.co.uk | website

Aynhoe Park is not a hotel. Aynhoe Park is a spectacular 12 bedroom private house embodying British eccentricity at its best, just one hour from London. Available exclusively for private hire, for weddings, for parties, for long or short stays. For a night, for a week, for two people or for two hundred, join the few who know its secret.

Yarnton Manor

Yarnton Manor, Yarnton, Oxfordshire, OX5 1PY | 01865 809400 | events@yarntonmanor.com | Website

Our Jacobean Manor House set in picturesque surroundings affords stunning photo opportunities plus the benefit of unlimited car parking. Our relaxed and flexible attitude means that you may use a marquee, your chosen caterers and florist.

Rhodes House

Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RG | 01865 270901 | events@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk | website

A hidden delight situated in the heart of Oxford, Rhodes House is a beautiful venue steeped in history. Ideal for weddings, photo shoots, business meetings and events, Rhodes House can now be yours for the day.