How to Keep Your Wedding Marquee Warm, Dry and Comfortable
One of the biggest questions we hear from couples considering a marquee wedding is simple:
“What happens if it rains?”
Living in the UK, it’s a fair question.
The good news is that modern marquees are designed to provide a comfortable environment whatever the weather. With the right planning, your guests don’t need to know whether it’s sunny, raining or freezing outside.
From heating and flooring to side panels and positioning, there are plenty of ways to make your wedding marquee warm, dry and welcoming.
Choose the Right Time of Year
The season you choose will naturally affect the way you plan your marquee.
Summer weddings may benefit from open sides, panoramic views and plenty of natural light. Spring and autumn weddings may need a little more protection from cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather.
Winter weddings require more planning, but they can also be incredibly atmospheric.
We’ve previously explored the magic of winter marquee weddings and why colder months can create such a memorable setting.
Heating Your Wedding Marquee
Heating is one of the most important considerations for an autumn or winter marquee wedding.
A well-planned heating system can keep your guests comfortable without taking away from the atmosphere you’re trying to create.
It’s worth discussing heating with your marquee supplier early in the planning process. The size of the marquee, number of guests, time of year and type of structure will all affect the heating requirements.
Don’t leave this decision until the last minute.
Flooring Makes a Big Difference
When planning a marquee wedding, it’s easy to focus on the roof and forget about what’s underneath your feet.
Good flooring can make a huge difference.
It provides a stable, level surface for tables and chairs, makes it easier for guests to walk around and creates a much more finished appearance.
It can also be particularly important when the ground outside is wet.
South West Marquees offers a range of flooring options, including sturdy interlocking flooring, level platforms, carpeted flooring and dance floors.
What About Rain?
A marquee is designed to protect your guests from rain, but there are still a few things worth considering.
Think about where guests will enter the marquee.
If possible, create a covered or sheltered transition between outdoor areas and the main marquee. This reduces the amount of rain and mud being brought inside.
It’s also worth thinking about the position of catering areas, toilets and parking so guests don’t have to make unnecessary journeys outside during bad weather.
Side Panels Can Be Your Friend
One of the great advantages of a marquee is its flexibility.
Depending on the style of marquee, sides can often be opened when the weather is beautiful and closed when conditions change.
This means you don’t necessarily have to decide at the beginning of the day exactly how the marquee will look that evening.
You can respond to the weather.
That’s particularly useful for British weddings where the forecast can change several times in one day!
Don’t Forget About Wind
Rain isn’t the only weather consideration.
Wind can also affect an outdoor wedding, particularly when marquees are being erected in exposed locations.
This is one reason why a professional site visit is so important.
Your marquee supplier should consider the location, ground conditions, access and surrounding environment before confirming the installation.
Our marquee hire advice explains some of the important questions couples should ask before choosing their supplier.
Keeping Guests Comfortable in Summer
Heating might be the first thing that comes to mind, but summer weddings have their own challenges.
A marquee can become warm if there is little airflow, particularly when you have lots of guests inside.
Opening sides, choosing an appropriate marquee style and making the most of the surrounding outdoor space can help.
You could also create shaded outdoor areas where guests can relax away from the main marquee.
Plan for the Weather – Then Forget About It
The secret to a successful marquee wedding isn’t hoping for perfect weather.
It’s planning so that the weather doesn’t matter.
If you’ve got suitable flooring, heating, weather protection and a sensible layout, your guests can enjoy the day whatever is happening outside.
And that’s one of the reasons we love marquee weddings.
You get the freedom to choose a beautiful location without having to rely entirely on the British weather.
If you’re considering a wedding marquee and aren’t sure what you’ll need to keep your guests comfortable, our experienced team will be happy to help.
Because once the practical details are taken care of, you can get on with enjoying the important things – great food, good company and an unforgettable wedding day.