Your DIY Marquee Planner to Outdoor Events
Hosting an event can be both exciting and daunting. Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday party, a corporate function, or a casual get together, the venue plays a crucial role in setting the tone. DIY marquees offer a versatile, customisable, and cost-effective solution, allowing you to create a unique space tailored to your vision.
One of the biggest advantages of DIY marquees is their versatility. They can be set up in various locations, from your garden to a scenic outdoor venue. With a range of sizes and styles available, you can customise the marquee to fit your specific needs and preferences. Add personal touches like decorations, lighting, and furniture to create the perfect atmosphere.
Purchasing a marquee is a significant investment, whether you need it for personal events, business functions, or as a rental business. This comprehensive Marquee Buyers Guide is designed to help you navigate the process of choosing the right marquee, ensuring it meets your needs and provides value for your money.
When considering purchasing a marquee there are many things to consider. Consider the type of events you’ll be hosting. Weddings, corporate events, festivals, and private parties each have unique requirements. For instance, weddings often demand elegant and stylish designs, while festivals might require larger, more durable structures.
How often will you use the marquee? For frequent use, invest in a high-quality, durable marquee. If it’s for a one-time event or occasional use, a more budget friendly option might suffice.
The location where the marquee will be set up is crucial. Ensure the marquee can withstand the harsh Winters in the UK. Wind, rain, and sun exposure all affect the type of marquee you should choose. For example, coastal areas may require marquees with higher wind resistance.
One of the most important decisions to make is determining the size of the marquee based on the number of guests and the nature of the event. Ensure there is enough space for seating, dining, dancing, and other activities. Use marquee size calculators available online to get an accurate estimate.
Look for marquees made from high-quality materials. The fabric should be durable, waterproof, and UV resistant. The frame should be sturdy, preferably made from galvanised steel or aluminium to prevent rusting and ensure longevity.
Consider the complexity of assembling the marquee. DIY enthusiasts may prefer marquees with straightforward assembly instructions and fewer components. Some marquees come with color-coded poles and connectors for easy setup.
For more help check out our Marquee Planner
Premium DIY Marquees are great value for money
Summertime weather in the UK can be a mixed bag of rising temperatures and summer rains, chilled winds come and go but the longer days are a welcome relief. The warmer weather interspersed with the occasional heat-wave, can be a call for entertaining outdoors, while still keeping safe from weather and temperatures. Nothing is more glorious than the British Summer as trees grow to line roads with their glorious flowers. There couldn’t be a better place to be at this time of year and what better time to incorporate a DIY Marquee into your social schedule. As bird song echoes through the skies, late into the evening, the bees swirl through the streets and the smell of barbeques reminds you that life is good, take the opportunity to socialise in style and enjoy a seasonal event. When it comes to planning your outdoor celebrations, while it is entirely impossible to plan the weather for the day, one thing that you do have control over is the marquee you will need and the size which will best suit your party-needs.
The size of your marquee is most certainly an important consideration and it affected by the size and type of event, with other considerations being the number of guests, seating catering or standing, music or no music and the answers to these considerations will influence the DIY marquee size. This, alongside the design of the marquee, is the foremost consideration you will need to make. The organisation and planning of the event is so important, that DIY Marquee have added many customer-friendly sizing tools to their website to help buyers who are looking for DIY Marquees for sale to gain access to all the vital information you need before you make your choice.
Determining the size marquee to use is simpler than you think when you use the online interactive planner which lists every possible aspect which you need to consider. Customise the size of the marquee and click to make additions such as objects or parts of the landscape to show you how best to place your DIY Marquees. Experiment with different layouts of your choice or select to start by clicking on the generic list of Examples which are already pre-designed for your ease. Or if you like it old school, call through to DIY Marquees where professionals in the industry are happy to help.
There is nothing that DIY Marquees won’t do to make the procurement process easier for you so that you can have a premium experience for your summertime event. Premium DIY Marquees are great value for money because of their strength of the material as well as weather-proof features, such as wind stop sealed panels. This marquee is designed to endure any weather most of the year around. Premium DIY Marquees come is a variety of sizes and can accommodate a capacity of up to 100 people with the ability to accommodate any extra features you may need. Premium DIY Marquees are the best marquees available in the market today.
Marquees create a sense of style
Starting a marquee hire business is a fantastic entrepreneurial opportunity to become self employed and enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. Plus, it provides variety as no customer will come with the same requirements for their specific event. Marquees provide an alternative to your usual venues and create a sense of style all their own, bringing a special quality which standard venues cannot bring. For those looking for marquees for more of a business purpose, marquees provide the business owner with an affordable option which comes with a lot of flexibility. When starting a marquee hire business there are aspects to consider and DIY Marquees have both the experience plus a variety of options of marquee sizes, types and accessories to help you to choose the best marquees on the market.
DIY marquees stand out from the competitors for the way in which they assist marquee hire companies coupled with their extensive range of high-quality and durable marquees for sale which, if you are thinking of starting your marquee hire business, would provide you with excellent options for any occasion or event. DIY Marquee can advise on every facet of marquees from flooring, go lighting, décor, as well as how to add heating and electricity. Buyers can be assured they will receive the most honest and good quality advice to help them business their grow and succeed.
If, as a buyer, you are wondering “What size of marquee do I need?” then all you need do is reach out to DIY for assistance. The main thing to do is decide what size(s) of marquee you require. Once you have established this, then you can decide which range of marquee(s) would be most suitable for your business.
There are several considerations to be made, including size of the garden, or space. If space is limited or if the garden is an awkward size, consider using more than one marquee which can be connected to cover the full area. Multiple marquees require additional planning however DIY Marquees professionals can answer all your queries regarding the most effective and efficient methods of joining marquees. If you need help in picturing the layout of a marquee, use the interactive marquee planner where you can experiment with various layouts. The is also a size guide which can be found on the website which will assist buyers to find the right size marquees. Once the decision regarding sizes is made, it will be easier to decide on which type of marquees you are in the market for.
One extra aspect to consider when starting your marquee hire business, is how to electrify the area in the most effective way. This will enable you to support your clients when it comes time for them to set their marquees up for their business event or for parties where plug points are required for things such as heating, lighting, sound, catering and so on. DIY offers Marquee Electrical Courses which is a one-day workshop, specifically aimed at those working in the Marquee and Events industry. Candidates will be guided through best practises in installing electrical and lighting systems in short-term structures for events, including how to steer clear of some obvious, and some not so obvious, pitfalls.
Excellent value for money our Classic range | DIY Marquees
DIY Marquees is an independent family run business committed to the design, manufacture and supply of the best quality marquees and marquee accessories. Having built up and successfully run one of the leading marquee hire companies in the UK, DIY Marquees now uses their years of experience to advise other hire companies while designing and supplying commercial quality marquees, linings and accessories.
No matter the size of the DIY Marquees’ Commercial range, this range is ideal for marquee hire companies and people who require a much stronger, more durable and flexible marquee than some of the other ranges. A 4 season marquee which can maintain its strength and durability under any of the more extreme weather conditions, this marquee is the most resilient of the DIY Marquee range. Many of the commercial marquee have the capacity to remain erected year-round due, by and large to the use of PVC for its construct. PVC is widely considered as having a lifespan of at least twice that of PE material and which is also superior to Poly/PVC material blend. DIY Marquees uses a specific PVC made from rip stop Duracotex for all Commercial marquees which is also lined with Luxmarq lining material which reinforces the PVC adding to the over-all strength and durability of the tent.
Commercial tents for sale can also be joined using high-frequency welding (as opposed to stitching) which will ensure the marquee will be 100% waterproof guaranteeing the quality of the marquee to be fit for purpose. One DIY Marquees 6x14m Commercial marquees was erected over an outdoor pool which was under renovation in Haslemere, Surrey on the 19th December 2020 and taken down on Saturday 30th January 2021. Pictures provided show the marquee to be fully contained and functioning.
Standard measures of Commercial marquees are 3, 4, 6 and 9 Meter wide with various options for length. The larger 9m width has a maximum length of 18 meters while the smaller 3 and 4 meter range has a maximum length of 24 meters. By far the most expansive and durable is the 6 meter width, which is offered up to an impressive 36 meter length which is maximum coverage. All of the DIY Marquee commercial range come with the option to choose from a variety of side panel configurations and roof and wall or curtain linings.
DIY Marquee also offer classic and party tents for sale, which are suitable where a less semi-permanent structure will be more a more viable option. Buyers who are interested in a marquee for personal use or for hiring on a short-term basis would be impressed by the quality of the party tent which is constructed with PE material on roof and side panels and robust steel piping structures which ensure that the party marquee has suitable strength vs built for purpose requirements.
Investigate options of party marquees available to you for sale, by using the online interactive marquee planner which will help you to ascertain the best fit for your needs. DIY Marquee sales team is available to consult with you regarding any questions you may have.
Our range of Marquees offer an excellent value for money
Marquees have always been a popular and sought-after option as an alternative to your regular venue hire options. This is mainly attributed to the unique sense of style which can be created when using a marquee as your preferred venue option. There is nothing quite like creating the specific ambiance, mood and atmosphere, as when you design and decorate your marquee venue, tailormade to your desires.
Notwithstanding the many great benefits of the marquee as the ultimate venue option, there are some aspects relating to the logistics of marquees that can leave some feeling unsure of whether the outcome is worth the effort. Stop and take a minute as we discuss some of the issues which may leave you feeling reluctant to opt for the marquee option.
- Its cold.
Yes, this is the UK and no one has ever claimed to have all the answers when it comes to the various weather-patterns resulting in our world-famous reputation for having 4 seasons in 1 day! Its true that using a marquee might leave you vulnerable to various elements however there is always an innovative solution to any element. So, you want to know how to heat your marquee, DIY Marquees would recommend setting up a powerful, indirect heater which will disperse heat through out the marquee. Situated at the entrance of the marquee facing towards the inside, your marquee will be cozy in a matter of minutes. For a larger marquee, add smaller indirect heaters at the corner and other such “dead” spaces where people are not mingling. That way you can prevent the cold from seeping in and keep your guest’s toasty.
- Not all terrains are made equal.
Anyone who has attended a glamourous event, hosted on a grassy terrain, knows how hard it can be to prevent your £1,245 Maisel 100 faux pearl-embellished, paper-thin stiletto Jimmy Choo heels from sinking into the grass below you, sending you tumbling into an embarrassing social faux-par! To ensure the ultimate comfort of your guests, you would want to place your marquee on a solid, even surface, but the question remains: How to anchor your marquee down on hard surfaces? Your traditional tie-downs will not work on a solid surface, so alternatives include bolting or drilling holes in the footplate, to which you can place straps to secure the marquee. Alternatively, use heavy weights, such as a concrete block, strapped directly to the marquee. No concrete blocks available, strap the marquee to a strategically placed car, or lead a strap through to a near-by grassy patch.
- Once size does not fit all
This concept apparently works in retail however we all know the truth is that there is no 1 solution or product which will suit everyone’s needs. Attempting to squeeze everyone into a one size fits all marquee, will not work. Luckily, DIY Marquees has the perfect solution to help customers to create a marquee perfect for their needs. From the size of the marquee, to the shape, space, function and location, visit the website’s Marquee Planner to create a replica to help you check all the boxes.
DIY Marquees explains various marquee jargon and terminology
Looking for the perfect marquee option for your party? DIY Marquees have been in the business of providing marquees for long enough to know all the ins and outs of their marquees and are definitely experts in the industry. This is why they are the perfect company to get help from if you do not know where to begin! Trying to understand what is involved when it comes to putting up a marquee, what additions you could have or what size is most suitable for your event?
It can be confusing with all the various marquee jargon and terminology used in the marquee industry. It can be even more confusing when some suppliers look to actively confuse potential customers. DIY Marquees will guide you in your decision making, especially if you are looking at purchasing a PVC Marquee. Here we explain in detail what is a PVC Marquee?
A marquee has a special charm about it when it comes to celebrating events such as weddings, bar mitzvah or year-end functions; they provide a lot of capacity for tailor-making the look and feel of your marquee, especially chosen to suit your particular needs. Perhaps there are times of the year when the UK weather does not really favour a marquee as a venue however there are many safety features which ensure that the marquee will stand solid and keep the cold and the rain out.
Check out the extensive selection of marquee packages for sale suitable for anyone planning a wedding – DIY Marquees are more than happy to tailor packages specifically for your requirements.
Tips for Wedding Marquees:
This is in addition to marquee wedding articles written by us for confetti.co.uk
Furniture:
- Unlike marquees furniture is usually too expensive to buy so hiring is the usual solution
- Use 5ft 6inch round tables to seat 10 people not 5ft ones (which can be cramped with 10 guests)
- Use a mixture of smaller tables to create an informal atmosphere (see this article on seating)
- Use a long top table for a traditional feel. It would normally be positioned against one side of the marquee.
- Use a round top table for a more social and informal atmosphere. It would normally be positioned in the middle of the marquees with other guests all around.
- Use an oval top table for a more sociable option to a long top table. It would normally be positioned against one side of the marquee with seating on three sides leaving the front clear for guests to see the happy couple.
- Remember an easel for table plans (or two for larger functions)
- Allow somewhere for ladies to put their hats, either a table or clips around the side of the marquee
- Allow somewhere to put wedding presents (a table in the marquee or in the house)
Dance Floors:
- Like furniture dance floors can be prohibitively expensive to purchase to hiring or making yourself (18mm plywood screwed to battens and stained) are the most common solutions
- Alternatively if your marquee is to cover part of a patio or decking area that can be used as a dance floor
- Do you want dancing to be the centre of attention after the meal (in which case have it in the middle of the marquee) or do you want to have an area for people to sit away from the dancing? (in which case have the dance floor at one end)
- If the dance floor is in the middle it is often sensible to position the top table on the dance floor and then clear after using (top tables are rarely used after the meal as everyone is circulating)
- A dance floor (without top table on) makes an ideal emergency greeting area in poor weather
Other:
- Set the marquee up several days in advance and test the lighting and heating (if applicable) at the time of your function just to make sure both are sufficient.
- People (mainly blokes) will always congregate around the bar. For this reason always position it near the evenings entertainment to avoid having two parties. Always aim to keep everyone in one place to maintain the atmosphere so avoid putting the bar in the house or a separate marquee
- Always have lighting on a dimmer, this gives you the flexibility to supply lighting to eat by and mood lighting to dance by
- In October to April you will need to heat the marquee (see this article on heating your marquee)- have the heating on for an hour before people arrive to ensure they walk in to a wall of warmth
- In May to September you might need a heater just to take the chill off in the seating area later in the evening
- Think of how your guests will arrive - a simple path of carpet with flower pots makes an attractive and inviting entrance to the marquee
- Think of how your guests will leave - it's likely to be dark so some form of lighting will be needed to guide people back to their cars
- You would normally allow one toilet per 40-50 guests. If you don't have enough available then consider hiring in a luxury toilet unit
- Give neighbours plenty of notice especially if you plan on partying until the early hours
- Notify the police, it may sound extreme but it allows them to give informed responses (such as finishing time) to any complaint rather than come knocking on your door
Alternative Marquee ideas for entertaining
Is your company preparing to host an event that needs to truly impress your clients? Is your sales force in line for an incentive bonus to show them that they are well appreciated for meeting their sales targets? Is it time to celebrate the anniversary of your company? When it comes to treating your staff and clients, nothing could be as lackluster as holding your event in the office again. Show your best side and prepare an event that hasn’t been done before and really show your business partners what you are all about.
Wondering what the easiest and most cost-effective way of putting on a show to impress the rest is? Something original, dependable, while still offering flexibility? What about somewhere with a dance floor lit up with colourful lights and a DJ or even a live band? Yet something with enough space to provide a separate quiet space for guests who aren’t in the mood to put on their dancing shoes. Something that will let you go to town with all the bells and whistles and still provide a space that is warm and cosy, without costing your company all the profit you have just accrued during the year!
DIY Marquees offers the most superior range of marquees, including Green commercial grade marquees with the capacity to attain all of your functional needs for the event of the year. If you are wondering how to make a marquee the ultimate function location, go along to the website and take a look at the multitude of options which are available to you both in terms of the marquee itself, its size, dimensions and structure as well as all of the accessories that DIY Marquees offer to ensure that the marquee you choose has all of the components that you need. The website will show you to the interactive marquee planner which allows you to play around with the style, size and features of the marquee that will suit you best. Once you have decided, click on your option to choose the extras that you will need. Extras include roof linings, roof walls and curtain linings, roof, wall, curtain and swag linings, and carpet flooring, white and retro festoons or chandelier lighting and door frames. Chose online and immediately receive the cost and add to your cart.
Now that the marquee and accessories have been chosen, the questions is: how do you the power your marquee to accommodate the DJ, food and drinks, lighting, not to mention how to ensure that you can provide heating to the marquee. Simple ways to power your marquee which can all be done safely are either to try running extensions leads run from a main building to the marquee, making sure to over the leads so that guests and staff do not accidentally trip on them. Remember to run the leads from behind the marquee where possible. Or, you can establish a large mains supply which can be temporarily connected from a building to the marquee (electrician required) or use a generator. All options will allow you to light up your function successfully.
Commercial and Delux Demi marquees
When it comes to the area of design, it is an important concept to balance both the form and function of your product in order to reach the desired purpose for which the product is being commissioned. When designing with function in mind, it means that all practical parameters and limitations of the product are quantified prior to the start of the design process, ensuring that the finished product meets all of the requirements in order to satisfy its function. While designing with a focus on form means encompassing all aspects regarding the look and feel of the finished product. When DIY Marquees designs a marquee, DIY Marquees takes into account every aspect of both form and function in order to ensure that the marquees they design, meet the customers’ expectations. DIY Marquees provide durability, strength and versatility all while guaranteeing absolute value for money.
With years of experience in the industry, as well as selling marquees fit for function, DIY Marquees knows exactly how to help you find the best marquee matched to your needs. DIY Marquees has, over the years, helped thousands of customers to decide what type of marquee would best suit their needs and which of the accessories will work for their specific type of marquees. Planning the design of the marquees ahead of time can significantly aid the decision–making process which is why DIY Marquees has a unique marquee interactive planner which can be found on the website. Simple and easy to use, the planner is a convenient tool which allows customers to try out each and every variation of placement, size and type as well as play around with features and accessories.
DIY is a proud supplier of a extensive variety of types of marquees for every possible function or event. The full DIY Marquee range includes DIY Party Tents and Classic, Premium, Professional, Commercial and Commercial and Delux Demi marquees. DIY is pleased to announce the DIY New Range Marquee Sizes in their Commercial Marquee range which offer excellent value for money. The Commercial range of marquees is an all year round range of marquees best suited to anyone interested in sustained, frequent purposing of the marquee. The Commercial marquee is designed with strength in mind so the frame does include the tough 38mm framework, along with ground bars for added strength, eave braces which prevent the roof cover from stretching as well as gable up-rights to allow for several panels at the end of the marquee rather than just one large panel. Meaning that there is more opportunity for customisation in terms of end walls and windows and makes the marquee significantly more wind resistant. The perfect blend of form and function in one excellent product.
New sizes include:
Dependable and long-lasting as a result of the strength of the design, the DIY Commercial range is unquestionably one of the most superior marquees available in the industry.
DIY Marquees stand the test of time
Famous for raising marquees to greater heights, DIY Marquees is the supplier of the largest range of fixed size marquees, across the UK and guarantees that they can offer you a marquee perfectly suited for all occasions, for private to commercial use. Marquees are well-known for their functional versatility and have stood the test of time and provided a suitable alternative to permanent structures. It is because of the flexibility in size, shape and height that a marquee can offer, that makes them especially adaptable to suit the specific occasion for which they are required. Add to that the many additional features and accessories that are available to you to use and you have literally the ability to take a [blank] canvas and make it your purpose-built, dream –design with all the required bells and whistles.
DIY Marquee has an extensive range of Deluxe DIY Marquee for sale. Various types, from traditional Party tents and demi DIY marquees, to Classic, Commercial, Delux and Premium marquees all for excellent value for money.
DIY marquees know what marquee is best suited for which occasion and particularly for the time of year which you will be holding your event. Using their years of knowledge and experience, there is no scenario for which they are unable to provide relevant extras you need to ensure that your marquee is both fit for function and form. For example, knowing which degree pitch of roof is more wind resistant. Or why envelope roofs are stronger than carport style and why 2 meter end panels are more wind resistant.
Extras range from safety and functional features to features made to ensure comfort.
It is very important to be mindful of Health and safety aspects when it comes time to erect your marquee and set it up for the event. DIY marquees ensure that the 650gsm rip-stop Duracoretex PVC rooftops and side panels is the premium material to use for marquees. Both flame resistant and windproof, with Velcro sealed sides, means these marquees are designed for your safety first. Other aspects to consider cover, using the correct thickness of piping for the steel frameworks and ground bars combined with marquee roof and sides design, which all together guarantees an incident free event in inclement weather.
DIY marquees have a number of comfort features and accessories which will transform the marquee from merely top-and-sides to a veritable castle, if that should be your wish, including Marquee branding. Walkways for connecting marques to buildings, ivory-coloured flat or pleated roof linings and wall or curtain linings; indirect marquee heating; lighting options such as chandeliers and festoons will set the mood and create a special ambiance. Create porches in your marquee with gable pieces; choose specific flooring packages designed for ease of laying, made from new carpet and available in red, green or honey beige; partitions to section off specific areas of your marquee from others. Choose to separate your catering area from the dance area or create a pause room for comfortable quiet discussions which the festivities continue alongside. All these features are to transform your standard marquee into party central or elegance galore.