Marquee Frequently Asked Questions

1, What style are your marquees?
2, How large a marquee do I need?
3, Do you supply just the marquee?
4, How long is your marquee hire period?
5, Can Marquees be opened in warm weather?
6, Do we need heaters and are they warm enough?
7, Are marquees suitable for winter events?
8, What is the benefit of having the Ivory Pleated Lining Option?
9, What colour are your marquees?
10, How safe are your marquees?
11, Can I make last minute changes to my Marquee?
12, When will you put up/take down my marquee?
13, Can marquees be erected on uneven ground?
14, Can marquees be connected to a building?
15, Do the marquees come with insurance cover?
16, Could a marquee damage cables or pipes running underneath the site?
17, Will your marquees damage our garden?

1, What style are your marquees?

We supply 2 styles of marquees :

Traditional Style Marquees with centre poles and poles and guy ropes around the outside of the marquee. Ideal for a traditional wedding and can only be erected on grass.

Frame Marquee an aluminum rigid frame structure with no centre poles or guy ropes. Ideal for hard standing or grass surfaces.

2, How large a marquee do I need?

Three good rules of thumb are:
• For a finger buffet event: a minimum of 8 square feet per person (standing only)
• For a seated event: a minimum of 15 square feet per person (seated based on 10 per 5′ round table)
• For Marquee Weddings with silver served meals and allowing for enough room for a reception / bar area and separate dance floor then 25 square feet per person (comfortable). This option would also allow enough space for approx 20% more people in the evening.

Then, add in space for dance floors, catering tables, D.J’s Bands and any other specific requirements. We are available for recommendations if you have any particular requirements

3, Do you supply just the marquee?

No. We supply furniture, lighting, flooring, catering equipment, cutlery, crockery and much more. We have links with many other event companies, so we can also arrange catering, toilets, generators, decoration, theme parties etc. Assistance on specific requirements is available upon request. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your individual requirements here.

4, How long is your marquee hire period?

The marquee is yours for the whole day of your event. We normally erect the marquee at least the day before and dismantle it at least the day after your event. Longer periods are available and pricing is set accordingly.

5, Can Marquees be opened in warm weather?

Yes. The walls of our marquees can very easily be opened up and secured. We demonstrate how to do this so that the decision can be left to the day.

6, Do we need heaters and are they warm enough?

Even in midsummer, a heater may be necessary. We suggest that 1 week prior to your event, keep an eye on the weather and then order as appropriate.

7, Are marquees suitable for winter events?

Marquees make ideal venues for Christmas and New Year parties. Powerful heaters ensure warmth, and hard flooring, while more expensive than traditional summer carpet, protects winter marquee from wet winter ground. So you can capture the beauty and convenience of a marquee event even in winter.

8, What is the benefit of having the Ivory Pleated Lining Option?

Lined marquees are more luxurious and are an essential element of a traditional wedding. With unlined marquees, the PVC walls and marquee structure are fully visible, making them more suitable for functional or casual events.

9, What colour are your marquees?

All our marquees are made of lacquered white PVC. Internally the pleated linings are only available in ivory. Colour can be added to the marquee in the way of drapes and swags to match your specific colour scheme.

10, How safe are your marquees?

All our marquees are at the latest specification and meet the wind loading. They conform to British Standard specifications and are fully fire retardent.

11, Can I make last minute changes to my Marquee?

Within reason, yes. Requests for extra items such as furniture can be made early in the week leading up to the marquee hire. As a guide, we normally advise that you give us a minimum of 4 weeks notice for major changes. But please don’t ask us to make big changes days prior to your event as during busy time you may be disappointed. Reductions of any items cannot be made within 28 days prior to the event date.

12, When will you put up/take down my marquee?

Our Marquee’s will be delivered at the latest the day prior to you function and taken down at the earliest the day after. However on some occasions we can arrange early delivery. Typically, we erect marquees on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or
Friday before an event; and we dismantle them on the following Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Priority is given to wedding functions (booked well in advance).

13, Can marquees be erected on uneven ground?

Marquees can be put up on sloping or uneven ground.

14, Can marquees be connected to a building?

Yes. Our Frame marquees can serve as an ‘extension’ to a building if the space is suitable. Covered walkways are another option.

15, Do the marquees come with insurance cover?

The equipment is the responsibility of the hirer whilst in possession of the hirer; however we can currently provide damage waiver insurance (2005). Details available upon request

16, Could a marquee damage cables or pipes running underneath the site?

If cabling or pipe work is near the surface, damage is possible. So please advise us if any water mains, electrical cabling or gas mains are close to the ground. Chelsea Hire cannot be held responsible if these are damaged.

17, Will your marquees damage our garden?

Temporarily yes. Grass that has been covered for several days will not look its best. But recovery will be swift. And we are always very careful not to damage plants if flower beds are included in a marquee.

Your wedding day:
Your wedding day needs to be perfect in every way. With experience of more than 380 wedding marquees, we do understand that. So we aim to manage our part of your event professionally and efficiently so that you can enjoy your day.

The advantages of a marquee for a wedding:
Marquees have a unique atmosphere. Set up, temporarily, for a single occasion, they are a space apart from normal life, embodying the special event. In addition, marquees are very flexible. The bride and groom can stamp their character on an event in any way they choose, unlike in a fixed venue where the decorative possibilities may be limited, and size and shape are fixed. In addition, hiring a marquee gives you the opportunity to welcome guests to a wedding reception at home at a time of your choosing. And to party until 6.00am if you desire!

Planning for wedding marquees
We take weddings seriously. We have experience of the problems that can arise so we take particular care to ensure:
• That the marquee can accommodate the proposed numbers
• That the chosen size will work with the layout
• That the layout and position of a marquee will function well with catering requirements, and with any heating and electrical equipment.

We are happy to work with you to ensure that the right decisions are made to fit your circumstances. Carefully planning the layout of a marquee is particularly important for weddings when the impression on guests needs to be absolutely right.
Issues you need to consider include:
• Setting aside space for a reception area and buffet tables
• The position of the Bride and Groom, and the Cake Table
• Access for catering staff

Should a dance floor be central or to one side? If you wish, we can take the work off your hands. We have worked with many caterers, florists, entertainer, etc so we know who offers the best service. You tell us what sort of event you require and we will sort it out for you.