Ten Dos and Don’ts of Hiring a Marquee for your Wedding Reception.

Do check that the season is suitable for having an outdoor reception and that the marquee will be available for your wedding date.
Do ensure you have a venue that will be suitable for a marquee: check that the ground is level, what sized marquee will fit and whether the company will come out and check your venue before the wedding date.
Do consider whether you want a simple marquee or a more advanced one that may include flooring and heating, and what protection is available from the elements in more inclement weather.
Do find out how much deposit is required for a booking and if the company provides other services such as catering or floristry.
Do find out if the hire company has had prior experience catering for wedding parties.
Don’t forget that a marquee does not have washroom facilities, and it may be wise to provide Portaloos.
Don’t assume that the hire company will do the clean up and dismantling: get in writing the state that you want the site to be in after the marquee has gone.
Don’t forget that lights, bands, DJ’s and sound systems all require power to work, so you may need to organise a generator.
Don’t assume that hiring a marquee is going to be the cheapest option. There are many hidden costs, so it really pays to do a lot of research before paying any deposits.
Don’t leave it to chance, get recommendations from friends, family or acquaintances who have had experience with marquee hire companies.