The Marquee and Home Wedding Checklist
A wedding at home or in a marquee means building a venue from scratch. Everything a venue would normally provide, from power to parking, and when to book it.
By Sharonelle, Founder & Events Director
· 4 min read
Why marquee and home weddings take more planning
The appeal is obvious: your own garden or a family field, your own rules, no curfew set by someone else and no venue catering restrictions. The trade-off is that you're responsible for everything a venue would usually provide. Most problems at home weddings come from infrastructure that was forgotten, under-sized or booked too late.
The infrastructure checklist
| Item | What to plan | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Marquee | Size for seated dinner plus dance floor, bar and band; site survey for level ground | 6 to 12 months |
| Flooring | Hard flooring protects the lawn and stops heels sinking; matting for walkways | With the marquee |
| Power | A silent generator sized for lighting, band, catering and heating, plus a backup plan and fuel | 3 to 6 months |
| Lighting | Inside the marquee, and outside: paths, car park, toilets | 3 to 6 months |
| Heating or cooling | Heaters for spring and autumn evenings; side panels that open for hot days | With the marquee |
| Toilets | Luxury toilet trailer sized to guest numbers, with power, water and lighting | 3 to 6 months |
| Catering tent or kitchen | Separate space for your caterer with power, water, lighting and a service route | Agree with your caterer |
| Furniture | Tables, chairs, linen, bar, lounge areas | 3 to 6 months |
| Water | Access to a tap or a water supply for catering and toilets | Check early |
| Waste | Bins, recycling, and removal after the event | 1 to 3 months |
| Parking and transport | A field or nearby car park, stewards, and taxis or a coach at the end of the night | 1 to 3 months |
Before you book anything: check the site
- Access. Can a lorry reach the marquee site? Narrow lanes, gates and soft ground all matter.
- Ground. Level, well-drained ground makes everything easier. Check for underground pipes and cables before stakes go in.
- Space. Allow room around the marquee for the catering tent, toilets, generator and walkways, and keep the generator away from the dining area.
- Neighbours. Tell them early, especially about music and parking.
- Permissions. Check whether any local licences apply to music, alcohol or late finishes, and whether a temporary structure needs any permission where you are.
- Insurance. Tell your home insurer, and check what your suppliers' and your own wedding insurance covers.
Plan for the weather
Assume it might rain, whatever the season. A good wet-weather plan covers:
- Covered walkways between the house, marquee, toilets and catering tent
- Where the drinks reception and photographs happen if it's wet
- Umbrellas for guests, and mats at every entrance
- Heaters on standby, even in summer
- Side panels that can be closed quickly
What does a marquee wedding cost?
Costs depend on guest numbers, the marquee style and how much is included. These are typical market ranges from published UK guides, not House of Nelle's prices:
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marquee hire, around 80 to 100 guests | £5,000 to £10,000 | Structure and basics; style and size change this a lot |
| Fully set-up marquee wedding | £15,000 to £35,000+ | Adds flooring, power, lighting, toilets, furniture and more |
Catering, drinks, décor and every other supplier are on top. When comparing marquee quotes, check exactly what's included: flooring, lighting, heating, a catering tent and installation all change the total.
On the day: someone has to be the venue manager
At a venue, the events team handles deliveries, faults and timings. At home, that falls to whoever is nearest, which is often the bride's parents. Before the day, decide who will:
- Meet each supplier and show them where to set up
- Deal with the generator, toilets and lighting if something stops working
- Keep the day to time and cue each moment
- Manage parking, taxis and guests leaving safely
- Oversee the clear-down and collection of hired items
Nelle plans and runs home and marquee weddings across London and the Home Counties, including in Surrey and Kent, and can act as your venue manager on the day through on-the-day coordination.
Questions answered
How much does a marquee wedding cost in the UK?
Published UK guides put marquee hire for around 80 to 100 guests at roughly £5,000 to £10,000, and a fully set-up marquee wedding at £15,000 to £35,000 or more. Catering and other suppliers are extra.
Do I need a generator for a marquee wedding?
Usually, yes. A household supply rarely copes with lighting, a band, catering equipment and heating together. A silent generator sized for the full load is standard.
How many toilets do I need for a home wedding?
It depends on guest numbers and how long the event lasts. Toilet hire companies size trailers to your guest count, so give them your final numbers and timings.
Sources for prices
Price ranges are typical market figures from these published guides, not House of Nelle's prices. Always get written quotes.