Marquees

What a marquee is

A marquee is a large tent for an event: a frame of beams, usually aluminium, with a heavy PVC-coated cover over it and walls round the sides. Unlike a gazebo it is not unfolded by two people in a few minutes. The marquees here are structures for weddings, banquets, trade shows and big parties, put up by a crew and often left standing for the length of the event. Several are made to order in size and colour, so read the options on each product page.

Clear span, pagoda, clear roof and high peak marquees

• Clear span aluminium marquees are the biggest group here. With no poles inside, the whole floor is usable for tables and a dance floor. One is sold in spans from 6m to 21m with eaves from 3m to 5m high; a 10 by 20m one has a 7.2m ridge. See party and event tents.
• Pagoda tents have a steep pointed roof. The 5 by 5m pagoda has a 2.5m eave and a 5.1m ridge, and several can be joined into a bigger space. Others come from 3 by 3m to 6 by 6m. See gazebo tents.
• Clear roof and transparent marquees let the daylight in, in sizes such as 10 by 15m. See bubble tents.
• High peak and round marquees: a 20 by 40ft high peak marquee, and a round dome for 300 to 500 people. See bell tents for something smaller and round.
• Leg weights for marquee and gazebo legs. See side walls and weights.

Covers, fire ratings and wind ratings

The cover is most of what keeps the weather out. The marquees here use double PVC-coated polyester, from 650 to 900g a square metre. Several state a flame retardant standard for the cover, such as DIN 4102 B1 and M2, and one also NFPA 701. If the event is at a venue, ask what they need to see, such as the fire rating of the cover, before you order.

Some give a wind rating: 80km/h on one, up to 100km/h on others, and one gives a snow load. A rating like that only holds when the marquee is put up and fixed down exactly as its maker says. Makers also give a working life: one says 15 to 20 years for the frame and 5 to 6 years for the PVC cover, another more than 15 years for the frame and 5 to 10 for the cover.

Space, ground and fixing down

Choose the size from the guests and what they will be doing. Seated dinners take far more room per person than a standing drink. The ground matters as much: level grass takes pegs, while a car park or patio needs weight plates or expansion bolts, which the round dome lists as its three ways of fixing. Make sure there is room to bring long beams on site.

Questions people ask about marquees

Who puts a marquee up?

A crew, following the maker's instructions. For a job two people can do, look at pop-up gazebos.

Can a marquee go on a hard surface?

Yes, held down with weight plates or bolts in place of pegs, as its maker sets out.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Party and event tents
• Pop-up gazebos
• Gazebo side walls and weights
• Bell tents
• Glamping lights
• 10-man and larger tents
• Guide: Gazebos and marquees