How to Hire a Marquee on a Budget
Where the money goes, what you can cut, what you shouldn't, and how to get the most out of a limited budget.
Where the money goes
The marquee structure itself is typically 30–40% of the total cost. The rest goes on everything inside and around it. Understanding this split is the first step to spending less.
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Marquee structure | £700 – £3,000 |
| Flooring | £500 – £2,000 |
| Lighting | £300 – £1,500 |
| Furniture | £500 – £3,000 |
| Heating | £200 – £800 |
| Toilets | £500 – £2,000 |
| Generator | £300 – £800 |
| Delivery & setup | £200 – £500 |
Biggest savings
Go off-peak or midweek
May to September Saturdays are peak pricing. A Friday, Sunday or midweek date can save 10-20% on the marquee alone. October to April drops prices further — some suppliers offer 20-30% off-peak discounts. A winter marquee costs more for heating, but the base hire is cheaper.
Choose a smaller marquee
Every extra 3m of length adds £300-£800 to the hire cost, plus more flooring, more lighting and more furniture. If your guest list is flexible, cutting 20 guests can drop you into a smaller size bracket and save £500-£1,500 across all the extras.
Use your own garden
Site hire fees at estates and farms run £1,000-£5,000. Your own garden is free. If your parents, in-laws or a friend have a large garden or field, that's the single biggest saving available to you.
Pick a traditional pole marquee
Sailcloth and tipi marquees look stunning but cost 2-3x more than a traditional white pole marquee. A well-dressed pole marquee with good lighting looks great in photos and costs a fraction of the trendier options.
Skip the flooring in summer
On firm, dry ground in June-August, you can get away without a full floor. Matting or coconut carpet over grass works for casual events. If it's been raining, you'll need proper flooring — but in a dry spell, this saves £500-£2,000.
What not to cut
Some things look like easy savings but cause real problems on the day.
- Flooring in wet weather. Mud inside a marquee ruins shoes, dresses, and the entire atmosphere. If there's any chance of rain, budget for proper flooring.
- Lighting. A dark marquee feels like a warehouse. Even basic festoon lights (£100-£300) transform the space. This is the single best return on investment for atmosphere.
- Heating if your event is before May or after September. Evening temperatures in the UK drop fast. Cold guests leave early. Budget £200-£500 for heaters.
- Enough toilets for the guest count. One portable toilet serves about 75 guests. Two is the minimum for any event over 50 people. Queues for the loo are remembered.
- Insurance. Event insurance costs £50-£150 and covers cancellation, damage and liability. Not worth skipping.
Hidden costs to watch for
Damage deposits
£200-£500, refundable if the marquee is returned without damage. Check the small print — some suppliers charge for grass stains inside the canvas.
Delivery distance
Most suppliers include delivery within 30 miles. Beyond that, expect £1-£3 per mile each way. A supplier 60 miles away could add £60-£180 to the bill.
Extended hire periods
Standard hire is usually 3 days (setup day, event day, collection day). If you need the marquee for longer — a Friday setup for a Saturday wedding with Sunday collection — extra days cost £100-£300 each.
Power usage
If you're using a generator, fuel costs £50-£150 per day depending on what's running. Heating and catering equipment draw the most. Ask the generator supplier for an estimate based on your equipment list.
Ground reinstatement
Heavy marquees and foot traffic can damage lawns, especially in wet weather. Budget for re-seeding or turfing if the land needs to look good afterwards. A marquee on grass for 3-5 days will leave marks regardless.
Sample budgets
Three realistic marquee budgets for 80 guests, all on private land.
Bare bones
£1,500
- Traditional pole marquee
- No flooring (summer, dry ground)
- Festoon lights
- Borrowed furniture
- House toilets
- Mains power extension
Mid-range
£4,000
- Traditional pole marquee
- Matting floor
- Festoon + uplighting
- Hired tables and chairs
- 1 portable luxury toilet
- Mains power
Full setup
£8,000
- Sailcloth marquee
- Wooden floor
- Full lighting design
- Furniture + linens
- Luxury toilet trailer
- Generator
Quick wins
- Get three quotes minimum. Prices vary wildly between suppliers for the same setup.
- Ask if the supplier does package deals — structure + flooring + lighting bundled is almost always cheaper than booking separately.
- Decorate with greenery, candles and fabric rather than expensive flower arrangements. Ivy, fairy lights and muslin drapes cost a fraction of floristry.
- Borrow or hire furniture from multiple sources. Village halls, churches and community centres often hire out tables and chairs cheaply.
- If you're flexible on dates, ask suppliers about cancellation gaps — if another booking falls through, you may get a discount for filling the slot.
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