Check-List Guide to Budgeting For Your Marquee Event

How much does it cost to hire a marquee?

If you are hiring a marquee for your wedding, party, charity ball, corporate or special event there are many things you need to take into consideration in order to obtain an accurate quote from the marquee hire company.

Here is simple check-list of some of the costs involved in hiring marquees.

The cost of hiring a marquee varies depending on many factors, not least the size and style of the marquee. However the size of the marquee will dictate all the other marquee related costs, so first determine how big your marquee needs to be to house your event.

How to work out how big the marquee needs to be:

Your marquee hire company will conduct a site visit to advise you on the most suitable size and style of marquee for your event, but as rough guide you can approximate your marquee size requirements as follows:

How large is the venue?
Do you require a framed or traditional style marquee?

A framed marquee can stand on any surface as it does not require pegs to secure it to the ground. As such framed marquees take up less space at your venue. Traditional marquees are secured to the ground using pegs and ropes and as such require more space around the marquee.

How many guests are you inviting and do they require seating?
Do you require a stage?
Do you require a space for dancing?

As a rough guide, if there is a buffet and guests are standing, allow approximately 8 square feet per person. For a seated event, allow 15 square feet per person. Add to each of these amounts any additional space required for a stage, display stands, dance floor, mingling, seated discussion etc.

It may help if you draw a floor plan. Start with what you know you require inside the marquee and then calculate the space around it using the above as a guide.

In addition to knowing the size and style of your marquee, there are many marquee related costs to consider when budgeting for your event i.e.:

Marquee furniture: tables, chairs, stage, display stands
Marquee equipment: lighting, heating, sound, electrical points for DJ, Band etc.
Marquee decoration: flooring, lining, themed decorations, table centre pieces, table cloths, lamps, lanterns, pillows, cushions, fabric for swags, ribbons, flowers, balloons, banners, corporate branded items.