Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about hiring a marquee

 

Every event is unique, but here are typical price ranges to help you budget. These figures are indicative and will vary with size, style and extras.

Small Events

£1,500 – £3,000

Ideal for garden parties and intimate weddings (up to ~80 guests).

Medium Events

£3,500 – £6,000

Perfect for weddings or corporate functions with 100–150 guests.

Large Events

£7,000 – £12,000+

For luxury weddings, gala dinners or events with 200+ guests.

* These figures are estimates.

What affects the cost of marquee hire?

Size of the marquee

Larger structures need more materials and labour, so price scales with guest numbers and usable floor space.

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Plan for dining, dance floor and circulation space—each adds square footage and cost.

Style of marquee

Traditional canvas (premium finish) vs. versatile clearspan frame; pagodas suit smaller add-on areas.

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Styling choices (clear roofs, panoramic walls) also influence labour time and pricing.

Flooring, linings & lighting

Wood floor + linings + designed lighting elevate the look—and the budget—over basic matting.

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Uplighters, festoons and chandeliers add ambience; raised floors level uneven ground.

Furniture, bars & dance floors

Packages keep costs predictable; bespoke bars, lounge sets and large dance floors add spend.

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Mixing rounds/trestles, ceremony seating and soft seating impacts quantity and delivery.

Location & site access

Flat, easy-access sites are faster. Tight access, slopes or distance increase labour/transport.

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Provide photos and a what3words/location pin—site logistics can meaningfully change the quote.

Seasonality & weather

Winter needs heating and weatherproofing; summer may need cooling/ventilation or clear roofs.

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Fuel, power and ventilation all affect running costs and the setup plan.

Yes. Every booking starts with a no-obligation site visit so we can check space, access, and surfaces before recommending the right marquee. Here is a step by step guide:

book your free site visit

Our booking process

  • Step 1: Initial quotation

    We’ll create an initial quotation and email it as soon as we receive your enquiry form or phone call.

    More
    Include your event date, venue/location, guest numbers and any inspiration so we can scope accurately.
  • Step 2: Site meeting

    We visit your venue to check ground conditions, vehicle access and structure positioning, then send an amended quotation with floor plans and a site overview.

    More
    We review slopes, trees, utilities, power routes and delivery logistics to confirm the best layout.
  • Step 3: Confirm & secure

    Happy with the quotation? Call or email to book. We’ll issue a deposit invoice and confirmation—once paid, your date and items are secured.

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    We’ll also share key timings and contacts so suppliers and venues can coordinate with us.
  • Step 4: Build & schedule

    We share a build schedule outlining each stage. Our crew then installs and dresses the marquee—ready in good time for your event.

    More
    Schedule includes delivery windows, setup durations, safety checks and takedown timing post-event.

Our marquees can be built on grass, gravel, concrete, or tarmac. For uneven ground, we can provide flooring solutions to level the space.

Most marquees are installed in one day. Larger or more complex builds may take two days — we’ll confirm timings during your quote.

Yes. Our clear-span marquees are fully weather-resistant, and we can provide heating, hard flooring, and additional weatherproofing options to keep your guests comfortable.

  • Traditional canvas marquees: 50–250+ guests

  • Clear-span frame marquees: 50–500+ guests

  • Pagodas: 20–60 guests
    Exact capacity depends on layout (seated dinner, standing reception, dance floor etc).

Yes. We can supply flooring, linings, lighting, tables, chairs, dance floors, bars, and more. You can choose as much or as little as you need.

For summer weddings and peak weekends, we recommend booking at least 9–12 months in advance. For off-peak events, 3–6 months is usually enough.

Standard hire is for 1–3 days (build, event day, and takedown). Longer hire periods can be arranged if needed.

Yes — most events require power for lighting, catering, and music. We’ll advise on what you need and can arrange generator hire if required.

We work with many venues and can either use their space or provide a custom structure if extra capacity is needed.

Absolutely. All structures meet UK safety standards, and we carry full public liability insurance. Our crew are trained and experienced in safe installation.

Yes. While most of our work is in the South East, we can provide marquees further afield — just ask when you enquire.

No. We will arrange and manage the whole process for you, which means a fully managed service from first sketch to final handover. We survey your site, produce clear plans, and coordinate the build, finishes and sign-off—one accountable team end to end.

  • Structures for every setting: traditional timber-poled marquees and engineered clearspan frames for lawns, courtyards and hardstanding; we can also link to existing buildings to create extra rooms.

  • Comfort, year-round: add clear roofs or walls, linings, levelled flooring, lighting and efficient heating/ventilation. As a result, guests stay comfortable in any season.

  • Layouts that work: entrances, bars, catering runs, dance floors, stages and power are planned for smooth flow.

  • Finishes that impress: reveal walls, window walls, chandeliers, festoons and brandable features tailored to your style.

  • Safe and dependable: experienced foremen, tidy builds, RAMS and insurance on request, with timelines agreed—and met.

Yes. We offer a wide range of furnishings and finishes:

 

  • Comfort, year-round: add clear roofs or walls, linings, levelled flooring, lighting and efficient heating/ventilation. As a result, guests stay comfortable in any season.

  • Layouts that work: entrances, bars, catering runs, dance floors, stages and power are planned for smooth flow.

  • Finishes that impress: reveal walls, window walls, chandeliers, festoons and brandable features tailored to your style

For everything else, our selected partners or Photographers, Florists and party planners will be able to add your finishing touches

Traditional timber-poled marquees and engineered clearspan frames. We also provide Pagodas (Chinese Hats) and can arrange Stretch Tents too.

OUR MARQUEE STYLES

Yes we do.

  • Safety: Full site survey + RAMS for every job; engineered anchorage & weather protocols; fully trained crews, PPE, tidy sites.

where we work

We provide marquee hire throughout Hampshire, West Sussex and surrounding counties including Surrey, Berkshire and Dorset. Whether your event is in Chichester, Portsmouth, Winchester, Petersfield, Goodwood or beyond, our team will deliver and install a marquee tailored to your setting.

Marquee hire detail | Lewis Marquees

OUR PROCESS

Our booking process

  • Step 1: Initial quotation

    We’ll create an initial quotation and email it as soon as we receive your enquiry form or phone call.

    More
    Include your event date, venue/location, guest numbers and any inspiration so we can scope accurately.
  • Step 2: Site meeting

    We visit your venue to check ground conditions, vehicle access and structure positioning, then send an amended quotation with floor plans and a site overview.

    More
    We review slopes, trees, utilities, power routes and delivery logistics to confirm the best layout.
  • Step 3: Confirm & secure

    Happy with the quotation? Call or email to book. We’ll issue a deposit invoice and confirmation—once paid, your date and items are secured.

    More
    We’ll also share key timings and contacts so suppliers and venues can coordinate with us.
  • Step 4: Build & schedule

    We share a build schedule outlining each stage. Our crew then installs and dresses the marquee—ready in good time for your event.

    More
    Schedule includes delivery windows, setup durations, safety checks and takedown timing post-event.

NEED A QUICK ESTIMATE?

Get in touch and we can give you a quick estimate over the phone.