**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

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.

We are very lucky to work with many talented professionals who help us to make your wedding day one to remember. To give you the chance to get to know them a little better, we’re featuring a series of interviews with our suppliers. Our first interview is with wedding photographers John Hunt and Tim Bearder from White Frame Weddings who skilfully capture every moment of your wedding so you can treasure them forever.

How long have you been a photographer and how did it all start?

Tim: For me it started in film and television production with the BBC where I was a TV news journalist and cameraman. I crossed paths with John when we worked together on Children In Need extravaganza featuring Girls Aloud, Status Quo and Jamie Cullum. It was in a massive Royal Airforce Aircraft hanger and I figured if he could deal with that he could probably deal with pretty much anything.

John: I first picked up a camera when I was about 9 years old. It was at my Grandfather’s house in Kent. I remember the first photograph I took properly – it was of the family’s pet dog. Later when I did a photography and film degree I used an old Rolliflex that used to be my Grandfathers.

What is your favourite type of wedding venue to use as a location?

Tim: What I love about weddings these days is their variety. Every couple is unique and people are reflecting that in the places they get married. I’ve worked in everything from Castles to campsites and I really enjoy that about this job, adapting to the surroundings and bringing the venue and the occasion into the film to make it as individual as the couple we are telling the story about.

John: I agree with Tim on this. A castle or stately home is a fantastic wedding venue: pure theatre. But I do have a soft spot for really personal, simple venues. Perhaps a family garden with fairy lights in the trees, and band playing acoustic guitars and a big fire pit.

Beautiful wedding bouquet with roses on a cobbled street

What does your working day look like from start to finish?

Tim: I’m not going to lie to you – a wedding is a LONG day. The more we capture the more options we have when we are editing the film and so I never want to miss a thing. If you’re standing around waiting you’re doing something wrong because there is always something to film at a wedding – the reactions of the father as he sees his daughter for the first time, the tears in the eyes of the best friends as they watch the nuptials. We are there from the preparations to the first dance and much more besides.

John: To add to what Tim has said, I love the feeling at the end of the day, knowing all that great footage is sitting on our cameras ready to be edited and the feeling of a job well done.

What is your recipe for successful wedding images?

Tim: As a former journalist it was instilled in me to get the story. A wedding day isn’t just a big party it’s the moment in the lives of a couple and I think successful wedding photos and films reflect that intimate relationship. They capture the essence of a relationship. If someone who knows them well says “that is so them…” then I think we’ve probably done our job well. It’s not about imposing a preconceived wedding format onto a couple it’s about discreetly capture what we see and weaving that together so their story comes alive.

John: A relaxed couple, enjoying a perfect day.

Bride and Groom

What is the funniest request you have ever been asked for when it comes to wedding photos?

Tim: There was a trend for a while to do Marryoke films where everyone would sing along to a well know track and we’d film it. We had a lot of fun with that on occasions but it needs a fair bit of advance preparation deciding who sings what!

John: Once I was shooting some bridesmaids and I was working hard to get them to laugh and smile. I was aware of some help and support coming from behind me, for which I was grateful. I finished the shots to turn around and thank the person helping. It was Tim Henman, and I had no idea he would be there, or that I was photographing one of his daughters. So, not really a funny request, but the look on my face must have been funny! Luckily, he just held out his hand and said “Hi, I’m Tim”!

What has been your biggest challenge so far as a wedding photographer?

Tim: It’s always time. Everything goes by so fast at Weddings and if you don’t keep to schedule the vicar goes home or the guest get hungry or there isn’t enough time for the all important dancing so it’s about being fleet footed and always prepared. But if we can do that then that’s where our films and photos are really worth their salt. Time after time we’ve said goodbye and the couples have said to us that they can’t wait to watch the film because they’ve missed everything. When you are in the eye of the storm you miss so much whirling around you.

John: Yes, time is always against you. But I quite like that, working fast. I’ve been a professional photographer for 15 years full time, so I always enjoy the challenge.

Stunning wedding ceremony venue

Your wedding photos and videos also include drone footage – who is the pilot?

Tim: I first got into drone flying in 2015 when the whole trend really took off if you’ll excuse the pun. Unlike most companies, I’m officially licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and properly insured which is so important at weddings where you have large numbers of people gathered. It means you have peace of mind that you’ll get stunning images captured safely and professionally.

John: Tim is, although I hope to do my CAA licence later this year.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not taking photos or shooting videos?

Tim: It’s fair to say that filming is a massive part of what I do for fun. My dad is a world-renowned monkey specialist and so I travel all over the world working with his colleagues to document their work on all kinds of exotic animals which is a real honour and pleasure.

John: Family – I have four children, sport, especially football and tennis and music, I play in a couple of bands.

Drone image of a wedding party

Your favourite quote?

Carol Ann Duffy: “The stars are filming us for no one.”

The famous French photographer Henry Cartier-Bresson talks about ‘The Decisive Moment”. This is a tiny fraction of a second where all the elements line up in the viewfinder to produce the perfect shot. All photographers search for ‘The Decisive Moment’.

Top 3 John Hunt / Tim Bearder facts couples thinking of hiring you should know?

Wedding photographer Tim Bearder Tim:

Studied Microbiology before switching to work for the BBC.

Has just signed up to run four marathons in four days

Lives for part of the year in Slovenia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding photographer John Hunt

John:

Studied Photography and Film as a degree, but was a lecturer for a little while: I have a PGCE, so quite good with kids!

I still teach Cinematography at Film Oxford, because I like teaching.

John plays bass guitar in a local covers band with a number of successful Oxfordshire musicians.

 

 

 

 

 

Tim and John, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. We look forward to continuing to work with you as you help many more happy couples capture their special day. If you are looking for an awesome team to capture your big day in photos and film why not get in contact with Tim and John at www.whiteframeweddings.co.uk 

If you are looking for your perfect team to help with your wedding day planning please get in contact with us.

 

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!

A rustic wedding is a favourite theme that 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 your large open space.

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, below are just a few ideas for how you can introducing 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.

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

Serve up some retro cocktails from a handmade bar

One of the most asked for requests we get is finding 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.

 

Alternatively, if you are feeling adventures 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. Building a rustic bar for your wedding could even be a great project for the groom and his friends to get involved with.

Be bang on one of 2018’s hottest trends with hanging floral features

Hanging floral features are looking set to become a very popular trend. When you are thinking about your flower decorations to compliment your rustic theme make sure you keep it simple and earthy.   The beauty of rustic wedding flowers is that they are meant to look looser, more organic and not manufactured down to the finest detail. Aim for something natural and romantic, that looks like been freshly gathered from the garden. Another brilliant opportunity to get creative and make your own.  Check out Pinterest for inspiration.

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, giving 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.

For more inspiration and ideas 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.

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.

 

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 a winter wedding, 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 panelling 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.

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.

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.

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

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


Indulgence

01295 690888 | office@indulging.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


Jennie Gale

01235 848 004 | jennie@jenniegale.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


Passion for Food

07811 437185 | hello@passion-for-food.co.uk | website


Thyme out events

07740 306301 | Sarahwoolford@aol.com | facebook


Chalfont Classic Cuisine

01494 726645 | enquiries@chalfontclassiccuisine.co.uk | website