It can be overwhelming to hire a marquee the first time. Although we may be biased, we believe you are making the right decision and promise that it is not as daunting as it seems. A marquee offers virtually unlimited opportunities to customize the event, giving you the opportunity to create something truly original. If you’re considering marquee hire in Whakatane, you’re in for a treat.
Here are all the tips and tricks you need to start planning your marquee event. Read our tips if you are looking for a wedding marquee, a structure to host an outdoor event or one that can accommodate a corporate function.
Top Marquee Hire Tips
1. Get in Early!
Our marquees are available for hire throughout the year, but if your event is in the summer, you should contact us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Stock availability is reduced during peak season, so you might not be able find all of the items for your event at the last minute if you wait until the last moment.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are considering a marquee at your wedding, corporate event, or party. We get requests for summer events many months in advance, and sometimes even years.
Contact us for a quote on a marquee
2. Size Matters
How big is your space? How many people do you want to fit in your marquee or tent? There are still plenty of options if your space is limited. However, you will need more room if your guests will be sitting at tables rather than standing. Consider the amount of space needed for utilities and catering, including hidden areas for staff to prepare meals and toilet blocks if necessary.
We will assess your site and create a plan with a CAD visualization that shows you the layout and ensures everything is covered. Here are some examples.
3. Prepare for any weather
You are covered (literally), as we will ensure that you have a structure designed to withstand British weather in all conditions, rain or shine. It’s important to have enough space indoors in case the weather changes. If you want to host a drinks reception outdoors, can it be easily moved inside if necessary?
On a hot, sunny day, guests will often seek out a cool, shady place to cool off. This is especially true if your space has no natural shade. Clear walls can give you that outdoor-indoor feel, while still protecting you from the weather.
Read our tips on how to create a warm winter marquee.
4. Take advantage of your surroundings
It’s great to maximize outdoor space, even though you have to consider the weather. It’s important to consider the style of an outdoor space if there is a breathtaking view or beautiful flower border. You can have transparent walls and roofs or a canopy with a roof and walls that are open to enjoy the view. You can also highlight key features by using festoons and lanterns to light up trees, uplighters to illuminate a nearby monument or a simple string of lights that guides guests to the action.
5. Seating Plans
You should be aware that theatre seating, round tables and long tables all require different footprints. You may also want to consider if your guests will be using the area for relaxation as well as eating. For example, you might have some sofas near the bar. When you are having a sit down meal, it is important to consider the space between tables. Allowing enough space for the catering staff and waiters to move around. For your guests’ enjoyment. Nobody wants to constantly move to let people pass or trip over chairs. There are ways to reuse the space and rework it to allow multiple functions. We’re happy to discuss ideas with you.
6. Don’t forget about furnishings and flourishes
The marquees do not come with any furniture, unlike other venues. You can decorate your marquee however you like, as it is a blank canvas. We have great relationships with local decorators, event planners, and stylists to help you decide how you would like your space to appear. This will save you time and headaches.
What about a hot pink carpet, like the one at this party hosted by Alastair Currie?
7. Comparing the two
Be sure to consider the reputation of your supplier when comparing prices. Do they have insurance? The marquee and the internal coverings will arrive in a clean condition. Do you have confidence in the team that installs the structure, and other suppliers with whom they work? Will the structure have adequate security? They have you inspected the site to determine its suitability.
Maintenance is key to ensuring that your marquee looks great on the big day. Our marquees will always be spotless thanks to our state-of-the art marquee washer. We are very proud that the majority of our business comes from repeat customers or referrals. This is a testament to the high quality marquees we provide and the personal service provided, regardless of the type or size event.
8. Entertainment value
Does the space available for entertainment meet your needs? You have to decide if you want a band or DJ, or something completely different. The marquee is at your disposal! We will need to consider and plan for the size of a band’s stage to accommodate all their equipment. You should also consider whether you will require a greenroom for your entertainment. They need a place to relax or prepare when they are not on stage or performing. There may be a room available if your marquee is located at a venue or at home. You may need to find additional space for your guests if you don’t have one.
A reveal screen is a great addition to a wedding marquee. The daytime reception will be stunning, but as the night falls, and guests are ready to dance, the draped curtains can be lifted to reveal the stage and dance floor.
9. Danger, danger, no voltage?
The power supply must be able to meet the demands. There can be an abundance of cables in situations where entertainment, sound, lighting and catering require significant amounts of power. We know how to conceal wires in a stylish way. It’s important to not overload the power supply from a safety standpoint. There are ways to get around the lack of power on site. You can hire generators to run your catering staff and any other external utilities, such as toilets. Even if you can connect to the mains, a backup generator is still recommended to ensure that you don’t run out of food or lighting.
10. Time restrictions
It can take days to set up and take down a marquee, so you should allow time in your schedule for this. You should let the marquee company you are working with know if there are any restrictions or tight deadlines. We can estimate the time it will take to build and dismantle a marquee when we give you a quote. When we have more solid plans, we’ll provide a timeline detailing our build. We will detail when the structures will be in place and when additional deliveries of furniture, etc. will arrive. Then, when we have more firm plans in place, we will provide a full timeline of our build. We’ll detail when structures will be up and in place as well as showing the dates for further deliveries for furniture etc. You’ll know the exact timeline for your event.
We will go over all of these things and more when you contact us about a marquee. Any questions that you may have will be answered by us. We are here to help you with the entire process of renting a marquee to ensure you have all you need. We can create a solution tailored to your needs that will be the perfect backdrop to your event.