How is the ideal venue for a marquee wedding?
Author: Tekla SzabóPublished:
Updated:
Planning a wedding is a time full of emotions and important decisions. One of the most essential is choosing the location. In recent years, marquee weddings have become increasingly popular due to the flexibility and charm they offer. But what should be the ideal location for a marquee wedding? Here are some key aspects to consider whether the wedding will be at your home, at a guest house or in a restaurant garden.
1. Accessibility
The location must be easily accessible for all guests. Whether it is located in the countryside or in a suburban area, it is important that the road to the venue is well signposted and in relatively good condition. Also, make sure there is enough parking space for all the guests, or better still, organize the transportation of the guests with a party bus. An ideal location is situated in a place that saves most guests from long journeys. If it is a more unfamiliar location, send the GPS coordinates ahead of time, that way you will have one less burden on the wedding day.
2. The landscape
One of the main advantages of a marquee wedding is the spectacular natural setting. Look for a location with impressive scenery, such as a forest, a lake with a gorgeous meadow that allows you to pitch your tent. The scenery will not only provide an unforgettable view, but also a gorgeous backdrop for photos. An ideal location for a marquee wedding should offer a high level of privacy. It's important that the event takes place in a secluded setting, away from prying eyes and urban noise. This will help create a relaxing and memorable atmosphere for you and your guests.
3. The ground
Make sure that the chosen location offers enough space for the marquee itself, but also for other related activities such as the dance area and the venue for the civil or religious ceremony. The ground should be flat to avoid the tables wobbling. African or stretch tents can also be set up on uneven ground; classic event tents require completely flat ground. Both require poles for erecting. The ideal ground is grass, but paving with small stone or concrete stones is not too much of an impediment either, the slabs can be removed for pitching. On concrete ground the tent can only be erected using large weights such as water tanks or stone slabs. The result may rarely look suitable for a wedding, this solution is to be avoided. The ground should be well drained, so that in the event of heavy or prolonged rain the excess water will drain away quickly. The ideal soil is sandy and does not retain water. The optimal location is sheltered from the wind, in a beautiful valley with a meadow sheltered by hills or buildings, tall trees.
4. Infrastructure
An ideal venue must have the necessary infrastructure to support the event. This includes access to drinking water, electricity and sanitary facilities. You should calculate a minimum of one toilet for 50 people. Depending on the location, it may be necessary to rent power generators and green toilets. A generator is good to have anyway, to avoid the disastrous effects of a blackout. In addition to these basic infrastructure items, a professional kitchen, or at least a small kitchen, which caterers can use for heating and serving the festive menu, is needed. A small dance floor or staged stage, a gazebo in the courtyard saves you the expense of renting the dance floor, you'll need a smaller tent for the reception. While not a must, a small shrine or outdoor ceremony space is a definite plus. It's good to have a designated room where guests can change, dress so everyone won't crowd into the restroom. A good venue has a cool cellar for chilling drinks or plenty of refrigerators that can be made available.
5. Backup solutions
One of the biggest challenges of a marquee wedding is the weather. It is essential to have a backup plan in case the weather conditions are not favorable. Professionally erected quality tents will save you from unpleasant surprises. If bad weather is in the forecast, be careful that tables are placed as far inside the tent as possible, keeping a minimum distance of 1.5m from the edge. If it is forecast to be cold or if the wedding is in the mountains where the nights are cool, hire some patio heaters. If you want to avoid any risk, look for venues that also have the alternative of a fully enclosed space where guests can take temporary shelter or where you can move the event.
6. Permits and authorizations
Check whether the chosen location requires special permits or authorizations to hold the event. Depending on the venue, you may need to obtain agreements from local authorities or landowners. Make sure you have all the paperwork in order to avoid any legal problems. For African tents you won't need a building permit. Classic tents with aluminum poles, which have more than 2 sides mounted, require a temporary building permit if their size exceeds 400 mm. For this you will also need a fire permit with the requirement to install a fire hydrant. If the event will be organized at your home, you should be aware that after 10 p.m. it is an offence to play loud music. It's a good idea to let your neighbors know about the event or at least invite them to the civil ceremony so you won't have any inconvenience. Fireworks again require fire and police permits. And the location must be suitable, a basic requirement is that there should be no electricity cables within a distance of at least 50 meters. The company must be a licensed fireworks company.
7. Additional services
Some venues may offer additional services such as catering, decor and event coordinators. Check if your ideal venue includes these services or if you will need to work with outside vendors. This can significantly influence your budget.
Conclusion
Choosing the ideal location for a marquee wedding requires careful planning and a detailed analysis of several factors. From accessibility and scenery to infrastructure and privacy, every aspect plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful event. Finding an absolutely perfect location that meets all 7 criteria near you will be next to impossible. You need to be aware of what is important to you, which aspect you can more easily give up. Once you have made a decision, you will be well on your way to realizing your dream wedding in a spectacular natural setting.
