A Marquee Hire Guide for the Newbie Party Planner

You may never have hired a marquee before, which is very likely what brings you to this article. It can seem an expensive and daunting task and you may not know where to begin. Here's a brief guideline to follow that will make the task seem much easier.

Choosing the right marquee

There are many kinds of marquees available. You want something that will suit your purpose and the occasion that is being celebrated.

Traditional marquees: These are like the tents that house circus shows. There are poles inside that hold up the tent. They are old fashioned and have a classic air that people prefer for lending their wedding parties an air of elegance. They are romantic, and the poles inside can also be ornamented to suit the decor of the tent.

However they do need some extra space around them for pegs and ropes. If period elegance and charm is what you are looking for, you can go for this kind of marquee. However make sure that you choose a safe flame-retardant material to prevent any risk of harm to your guests.

Frame marquees: These are a modern twist to the traditional tents. They usually have an aluminum skeleton instead of poles for support. This means that nobody's view will be blocked out inside by the poles. They can be put up on any kind of surface, since they can be weighed down instead of needing pegs.

Because of their compactness, they can fit usually in any kind of small town gardens, terraces or courtyards. They can withstand winter winds and can be fitted usually into most rectangular shapes including L-s. This is good for a catering tent. 

Special hat marquees: For a small or medium sized party, you can have a special Chinese-hat-like marquee to top over the outdoor bar or chill-out area. They can also be over the entrance to a larger marquee.

Deciding the size

It depends on the number of your guests and how you want to use the space. Do you need additional dance space for dance floors? For a buffet, it is advised to have at least 8 sq feet per person. For events where people will be seated, you need need at least 15 sq feet per person. This is a good rough guideline to start with, and then you can add space for dancing as you want.

You will now need to find a suitable venue. Once you have decided whom to call for your marquee hire, Cardiff hire companies can help you choose a venue that will suit your budget and space requirements. Compare the prices offered by a number of hire companies, and then make your decision. Following these steps will make the process of hiring a marquee much easier.