Style
You need to make sure you have a clear vision of exactly what you want, before you meet with potential marquee companies. Do you want a standard marquee, or a teepee? Do you want windows and doors, or an open side? Are you planning on having a lining in the tent? What kind of decorations do you want to incorporate? These are all questions you must be sure of before you speak to potential suppliers.
Location
Where you choose to host your wedding can have an effect on the style/size of the marquee you can use. Due to guide ropes and pegging, traditional marquees and teepees are not suitable for concrete floors. Meaning a frame marquee should be considered for this.
The location you choose can also add to the effect you are trying to achieve. Is there a feature in the location you've chosen, such as a lake, flower beds, trees?
Co-ordinator
As we said above, planning a marquee wedding isn't going to be simple. If you or your partner has no experience in any kind of event planning, you may want to consider getting help from a wedding planner. They can guide you through some of the smaller details, arrange deliveries and collections of hire equipment, hire security and make sure everything runs smoothly on the day. Even if you don't need help planning you should consider hiring a co-ordinator for the big day. You will be able to relax and have peace of mind because they will ensure everything goes smoothly and deal with any problems that arise.
Caterers
You need to decide what kind of catering you want. Do you want it to be a set meal, a varied menu, or a buffet? Discuss your needs with various caterers until you find one that you feel confident with. Ask about previous work they've done and how many people they are used to catering for. Discuss the size of catering tent they will need, whether they need a power generator or not, and any additional hire costs for equipment, crockery and cutlery. They will also need access to fresh water, and waste disposal facilities. If there are no waste disposal facilities available on-site, re-iterate that they must transport all waste away from the location before disposing of it. This will prevent any additional charges for damaged/soiled property.
Layout
Once you know the size and shape of your tent, you can start planning what is going in it. You should secure a table layout first, and then design the rest of your marquee around them. You could have circular, square or long banquet style tables. Ensure there is sufficient spacing in between chairs and tables. After the tables and chairs, you may also want to consider a dance floor and stage for after meal entertainment, and you'll need to fit a Bar in somewhere too.
Lighting
If you want to create a great effect inside and outside of the marquee then this will depend on the lighting you choose. Any features in your chosen location that you want highlight can be creatively lit, and disco lights can bring the marquee to life at night. You will need to consider what size power generator will be needed for the desired lighting, as well as sound equipment and catering equipment. Even though you can normally hire lighting through a marquee company, you may want to compare them elsewhere.
Never underestimate the power of candles either. Simple and cost-effective, candles can add a unique atmosphere and light to your wedding.
Access/Parking
A simple factor, but one that is so often overlooked. Is there ample parking space for all of your guests, and is there easy access for suppliers/deliveries? As well as space, how easy is it for guests to travel between their car and the venue?
Toilets
Not the most glamorous part of organizing a marquee wedding, but important nonetheless. If you're located in an area away from easily accessible toilets you will need to hire a toilet block. There are many modern luxury looson the market if you don't fancy the particularly unglamorous Portaloo option. Again, these can normally be hired through your marquee supplier, or externally.
Weather
The worst thing about having an outdoor wedding is the unpredictable weather. You can have everything planned perfectly, only for the heavens to open and spoil your big day. Luckily, once you're inside your marquee, you should be fine. Professional marquees have little to no problems with adverse weather. However, for people outside the marquee; chatting, smoking or making their way to the toilet, this can be an issue. Consider hiring/buying a small gazebo for people to congregate underneath, and a bucket of umbrellas next to the door for people travelling to the toilet block. You will also need to consider weatherproof mats for the entrance to your marquee to prevent muddy shoes.
