You only get this day once, so let us make it warm, welcoming, and unmistakably you. If a tented celebration is on your moodboard, this guide keeps things friendly and practical so you can enjoy the fun parts and sidestep the stress.
If you are local and want quick, grounded answers on sizes, layouts, and site specifics, start with Marquee hire South London. A short early chat helps you reality check ideas and set a realistic budget and timeline.
First, picture the experience
Close your eyes and imagine arrival, the first view through the entrance, the hum at the bar, the cheer when the music starts. Write three feelings you want guests to have, then keep those words at the top of your notes. They will guide choices and keep the whole day focused on what matters to you.
For a clear month by month view from a trusted luxury title, browse the Tatler wedding timeline for a polished overview you can adapt to a tented party.
Pick the right patch of ground
Walk your site in daylight after rain. You are looking for firm, fairly level ground, clear vehicle access, and no low branches or overhead lines. A gentle slope is manageable with flooring, while steeper gradients add cost and complexity. Ask early about permissions, curfews, and available power. Rural does not always mean quiet, and town gardens come with neighbours.
Try a quick peg test with your supplier. If pegs will not bite, or you are on hardstanding, ballasted systems keep the build safe and the quote honest.
Make a layout guests love
Good flow turns a pretty space into a brilliant party. Use these practical guides when sketching a plan:
- Seated dining needs roughly 1.0 to 1.2 square metres per guest including tables and chairs
- Standing receptions work at about 0.5 square metres per person
- Main walkways should be at least 1.2 metres
- Expect 40 to 60 percent of guests to dance at once, so size the floor for that active group
Put the bar away from entrances to prevent bottlenecks. Seat speech givers so they face the longest sightline. Add a small lounge corner for comfort during band changeovers and dessert.
Choose the structure for look and site
Sailcloth and pole tents feel romantic with high peaks and soft light. Clearspan frames are ultra flexible, great for add on rooms, and strong on awkward plots. Linings give a classic look, while clear roof panels create drama at dusk. If heat is a worry under clear panels, plan shade in the day and use a mix of solid and window walls to control glare.
Power, safety, and the unglamorous heroes
Caterers, music, lighting, heaters, and luxury loos draw more electricity than most couples expect. A modern generator with proper distribution and RCD protection, signed off by a competent professional, keeps everything smooth. If you have reliable mains nearby, split loads so lighting uses the house and the generator handles high draw kit. Place the generator downwind, use acoustic housing, and protect every cable run with ramps so no one trips in heels.
Weatherproof without losing the romance
Flooring is your insurance policy. Coconut matting is quick and budget friendly, cassette flooring levels uneven ground, and full wooden floors feel like a ballroom. Confirm the wind rating of your structure and the bad weather plan. Keep sidewalls ready so you can open them for sunset and clip them back if the breeze arrives. Layer practical path and prep lighting with warm ambient lighting for dinner, then dim for the first dance.
Food, loos, and comfort touches
Give the caterer a prep tent, a lit service lane, water via IBCs if needed, and clear routes into the dining space. Refrigeration trailers prefer level ground. Add hand wash stations near bars and loos. Put baskets of wraps by exits for evening chill, umbrella stands for passing showers, mirrors near the facilities, and simple signs to parking. Small gestures make guests feel cared for.
Budget talk made simple
Costs scale with guest count, date, and finish level. As a realistic start point, the core structure with flooring, lighting, and basic furniture often sits in the mid four figures in pounds for modest numbers, rising with panoramic walls, premium linens, feature lighting, and full production. Ask for line item quotes that show delivery, labour, crew hours, fuel, and VAT so you can swap elements confidently.
Noise and curfew reality check
Plan for sound early. Use directional speakers, keep the dance floor away from the nearest boundary, and consider acoustic linings on tight plots. Agree volume limits with your DJ, decide when to switch to a silent disco or to a lower key playlist, and keep neighbours onside with a friendly note before the event.
Your simple timeline
Most couples plan for about a year, which gives you time to secure key suppliers and still enjoy the ride. A strong month by month breakdown like the Brides wedding planning checklist is handy even if your timeline is shorter, since you can compress early tasks into the first month and stay on track.
- Reserve the structure 9 to 12 months out for peak summer Saturdays
- Lock lighting and furniture 8 to 10 weeks out
- Final guest numbers, table plan, and power checks at 4 weeks
- Build 1 to 2 days before, with a clear handover for styling
Plan the essentials, leave a little breathing room, and enjoy the moments that matter most, from vows to the last chorus. With a thoughtful plan and the right team, your marquee wedding will feel relaxed for you and unforgettable for the people you love. Have fun!
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