How to select the right marquee for your event? You need to look into the size, materials, shape and flooring. What is more, you should consider the chairs and tables – perhaps you can rent them out along with the tent(s)? In this article, we shall look into this in more detail – read on to find out more!
First and foremost, you should focus on the size. The bigger the event, the larger your structure should be. However, it’s not that simple.
When selecting the size, you need to plan your space first. Do you need one large tent, or perhaps a few smaller ones? You also need to decide whether your guests will be standing or sitting since it affects the capacity of your marquee.
For example, a 4x4m pagoda will fit up to 20 guests when standing, but only 12-16 if you put tables and chairs inside. Any additional furniture will limit the capacity further; thus, you need to take that into account as well.
Here’s a brief cheat sheet on the best sizes vs. the number of guests you’re planning to invite.
| Size | Standing | Sitting |
| 4x4m | 20 guests | 12-16 guests |
| 4x6m | 30 guests | 20-24 guests |
| 4x8m | 40 guests | 28-32 guests |
| 4x10m | 50 guests | 36-40 guests |
| 6x6m | 40 guests | 28-36 guests |
| 6x8m | 50 guests | 38-42 guests |
| 6x10m | 60 guests | 42-48 guests |
| 8x8m | 70-80 guests | 56-64 guests |
Naturally, this does not mean that you need to look for a single marquee in the exact size you need. Stretch tents, for instance, are modular – you can combine many of them to form a bigger structure, hence accommodating more guests. The same can be said about pagodas. On the other hand, clearspans can be expanded – only their width is fixed. Thus, you can tailor the size to your needs.
Apart from the size, you also need to focus on the materials when looking for the perfect marquee. Different types of tensile structures come with their own options regarding walls and ceilings, and not each will be fit for all occasions.
For example, if you’re planning to organise an event in the winter or autumn, you should opt for tents that can be sealed thoroughly. This way, you will be able to keep warm air inside. What tents work in such situations? We recommend poleadions.
On the other hand, if your event is taking place in the middle of the summer, you need it to be made from materials that are breathable and reflect the sun. Otherwise, it will get too hot inside them. In this case, you need to look into the quality of the tents – those from reputable companies like Pavilion, are typically better in this regard.
Finally, you have to consider the light inside your tent. If you are organising a wedding or a family gathering that starts at noon, you should opt for tents with transparent walls and ceilings. This is not possible with all types of tensile structures; hence, in such cases, we recommend clearspans (unless you need a smaller marquee) – they can be equipped with both transparent ceilings and walls.
You should also consider whether you want your tent to have walls at all. Stretch tents or pagodas might be installed without them, so they might be a viable option for you.
Since a marquee is installed outside, you also need to decide on the flooring and furniture. Let’s look at the former first.
In terms of flooring, you have several options. What are they?
We need to mention that, even if you plan a concert, you shouldn’t just leave plain ground – it might be dangerous for your guests, who might trip over and hurt themselves.
What about the furniture? It’s important mainly because it affects the capacity of your marquees. Sometimes, you might find event tent rental services that will provide you with furniture as well – it might be worth considering them.
When planning your tent layout, remember that furniture is not just the chairs and tables your guests sit at. Any additional equipment, e.g., DJ’s console, requires extra furniture pieces, so take that into consideration when planning how many chairs and tables you want to rent and when deciding on the marquee size.
Knowing what factors to consider when choosing a marquee for your event, you are ready to embark on a journey to finding the perfect one for your event, whether it’s a small wedding or a large corporate party. If you need a reliable tent rental service with the finest marquees available, don’t hesitate to contact us – we shall be happy to provide you with our excellent tensile structures.
You might also read: Elevate Your Event: Innovative Tent Designs and Structures for Unforgettable Occasions
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