How to Choose Between a Traditional Wedding Venue or Marquee Wedding?
Choosing the perfect setting for your wedding is one of the most exciting and pivotal decisions in your planning journey. It is also one of the first suppliers you will book so you have secured your wedding date and location - these are the most important details you need when sending out your invitations.
As a wedding planner with years of experience curating heartfelt, soulful, and laid-back luxury weddings, I understand that making this decision is more than just the logistics, it’s about choosing a space that reflects your personal style and wedding vision. So I've decided to help you out with the pros and cons of both traditional venues and marquees along with insights to help you make a choice that feels authentically yours.
What is a Marquee Wedding?
A marquee wedding offers a truly bespoke experience that you can customise at every stage of the planning process. Think of it as a blank canvas where your creativity can take center stage and there are no design restrictions. From hosting your wedding at home to inviting your guests to dine under canvas at a stately home garden or completely exclusive countryside location, marquees give you the flexibility to personalise every detail of your day.
Why Choose a Marquee Wedding?
Personalisation: With a marquee, you can create a space that reflects your wedding vision, guest count and flow of the event. From decor, styling, floor plans and lighting, every element is chosen by you.
Unique Locations: Host your wedding in a place that’s meaningful to you, whether it’s your family estate, iconic gardens and grounds or somewhere with outstanding views and scenery.
Flexibility: Marquees allow for custom layouts, bespoke lighting, and even multiple spaces for ceremonies, dining, and dancing.
Things to Consider:
Marquee weddings require careful planning around logistics, such as catering, toilets, and power supplies.
Weatherproofing is essential to ensure your day is seamless. Back-up plans are needed for rain heat measures that will make your marquee celebration bearable in the summer.
As someone who has planned marquee weddings in all shapes and sizes, I can help guide you through every detail from hiring the marquee shape and style to planning table layouts and bespoke decor in a way that feels effortlessly luxurious.
What is a Traditional Wedding Venue?
A traditional venue is a ready-made space with built-in amenities, such as dedicated staff, catering facilities, toilets and accommodation. These venues often include everything you need for your day and minimise logistical planning compared to a marquee wedding.
Why Choose a Traditional Wedding Venue?
Convenience: Venues come equipped with experienced teams, on-site amenities, and weatherproof spaces, making the planning process simpler and plenty of options for wet weather plans.
Architecture: Many venues offer breathtaking architecture, historic interiors, timeless romance and impeccable gardens. Many design aspects are already included in your venue. , and luxurious interiors that need minimal decoration.
Everything in one place: With ceremony and reception spaces under one roof, venues provide a seamless flow for your guests without having to travel.
Things to Consider:
Venues often come with restrictions such as limited decor options, set catering menus, specific opening times or only a selected list of suppliers you can work with.
Availability may be competitive, especially during peak wedding season and popular dates, so you may have to be flexible.
The Difference Between Marquee Weddings and Traditional Venues
When deciding between a marquee wedding and a traditional venue, it’s important to consider what aligns with your vision for the day. A marquee wedding offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to create a completely bespoke celebration. However, this freedom comes with added responsibilities and hidden planning that can easily get overlooked.
While these elements require careful planning, the result is a day that feels truly personal and a true reflection of you.
In contrast, a traditional venue provides convenience and unique historic architecture. Venues often include experienced staff, on-site facilities, and an array of spaces and gardens to host multiple events.
Restrictions come with working with a venue that might limit your creativity, for example some venues don't allow candles or fresh flowers, so your wedding design might need to be amended.
Each option has its unique advantages, and the best choice depends on your priorities, style, and the type of wedding experience you want to create.
How We Can Help You Choose
As a wedding planner specialising in marquee weddings and laid-back luxury celebrations, I can help you navigate this decision with confidence. Marquee weddings hold a special place in my heart—they’re an opportunity to create something entirely bespoke and a day that feels like it’s been made just for you.
For couples who crave connection and creativity, a marquee wedding offers unparalleled flexibility to design a day that’s as unique as your love story. On the other hand, a traditional venue provides timeless elegance and convenience, ensuring you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Whichever you choose, my team and I are here to guide you through every step of your planning journey. From finding the perfect venue to styling a marquee that feels authentic and memorable, we’ll craft a wedding that encompasses everything that makes you who you are.
Because at the end of the day, your wedding isn’t just about the design, it’s about the moments, the emotions, and the magic that you’ll remember forever.
Photo credits:
@studiorougephotography
@lynnshapirophotography
@studioroughuephotography
@photosfromsophie
@helencawtephotgraphy
@laurenknuckeyphotography
