Marquee wedding: the complete guide to getting it all right

Name: Location Tente France
Address: FR

Choosing the structure, sizing the space, planning the running order, getting the decor and logistics right: the complete method for an unforgettable marquee or tented wedding.

Par l'équipe éditoriale Location Tente France

Basé sur 100+ événements installés / an et la veille réglementaire CTS

The marquee wedding is winning over more and more couples: it offers the freedom to marry wherever you wish — in the family garden, a vineyard estate, a château or a plot with a view — without the constraints of a venue. You build your setting from A to Z, from the table plan to the lighting mood.

This freedom comes with a trade-off: everything has to be organised. The structure, the flooring, the heating, the lighting, the power, the toilet units, the caterer access… every detail matters. Well prepared, a marquee wedding is more personal and often more memorable than a wedding in a venue. Poorly prepared, it can turn into a logistical headache.

This guide gives you the complete method: which structure to choose, how to size it, how to build the running order for the day, which options are essential, what budget to plan for and how to handle the permits. It draws on hundreds of weddings set up across France.

Marquee surface area for a wedding by capacity

Surface area benchmarks for a wedding with a seated dinner and a dance floor, margins included.

Guests	Seated dinner only	Dinner + dance floor	Typical structure
80 people	120-140 m²	160-200 m²	10×15 m
100 people	150-180 m²	200-250 m²	12×18 m
150 people	220-260 m²	280-350 m²	15×21 m
200 people	300-350 m²	400-500 m²	15×27 m
300 people	450-520 m²	600-720 m²	20×30 m

Add an annexe tent for the drinks reception, the bar or the caterer depending on the site.

Which structure for a wedding?

The choice of structure sets the tone for your wedding. Four families dominate weddings:

The silhouette tent (sailcloth), with its translucent canvas and wooden poles, is the benchmark for the upmarket wedding: natural light by day, a warm glow in the evening. The nomadic stretch tent offers a contemporary, organic silhouette, perfect for a drinks reception or an intimate format. The classic marquee remains the most versatile and economical choice for large capacities. Finally, the crystal tent and the orangery, both glazed, come into their own when the setting deserves to be part of the reception (vineyard, seaside, parkland).

For a natural or bohemian mood, the tipi, the yurt or the geodesic dome bring a unique signature. The right choice depends on your style, your budget and your setting.

Sizing the space for your guests

A wedding combines several moments: drinks reception, seated dinner, dancing into the evening. You size for the most demanding format, usually the seated dinner.

Allow 1.4 m² per person for a seated meal (round tables of 8), to which you add the dance floor (40 to 80 m²), the bar, the lounge area and the catering zone. For 100 guests with dinner and a dance floor, plan for 200 to 250 m²; for 150 guests, 280 to 350 m².

The dance floor frees up after the meal and converts into a party space. Also think about a welcome area for the drinks reception, which can be an annexe tent or a covered outdoor zone.

Building the running order for the day

A marquee wedding is built around smooth circulation between the different moments. The setup schedule is just as important as the running order itself: the structure must be ready the day before to leave time for the decoration and the caterer.

J-1: setup of the structure, the flooring and the technical lighting
J-1 afternoon / morning of Jour J: decoration, table dressing, caterer installation
Jour J — ceremony (on site or outdoors), then drinks reception
Seated dinner under the main structure
Dancing into the evening: switch to the dance floor, dimmed lighting mood
J+1: collection of the equipment and takedown

The essential options

A few options make the difference between a successful wedding and an evening endured:

Flooring: almost essential for guest comfort (heels, damp ground in the evening) and for dressing the tables.
Heating: even in summer, the nights cool quickly after midnight — a wedding without heating empties early.
Mood lighting: festoon lights, chandeliers, lighting design — it is the soul of the evening.
Power: a generator or a connection sized for the caterer, the DJ and the lighting.
Toilet units: premium modules rather than chemical cabins for guest comfort.
Closable walls: to switch over quickly in case of rain or wind.

Budget and permits

The budget for a marquee wedding depends above all on the structure and the options. The structure and the flooring form the foundation; the lighting, the heating, the power and the toilet units complete it. On a prestige tent, flooring and dressing can account for 30 to 40 % of the quote.

On the permits side, a wedding on private land generally remains simple, but a check with the town hall is recommended depending on the municipality, the duration and the surface area. For very large capacities or venues open to the public, a safety file may be required.

Plan ahead: the best structures and the right suppliers get booked 6 to 12 months in advance for the peak season.

Let's bring your marquee wedding to life

Share your date, your venue and your guest count with us: within 24h we will propose the ideal structure and options, with a scale layout plan.

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FAQ

Vos questions, nos réponses

The structure item (marquee or tent + flooring) forms the foundation of the budget, to which the lighting, the heating, the power and the toilet units are added. For a wedding of 100 to 150 guests, the total runs into thousands of euros depending on the structure's level of finish. The flooring and the dressing often account for 30 to 40 % of the quote on a prestige tent. A personalised quote is essential for an accurate costing.

For 100 guests with a seated dinner and a dance floor, plan for 200 to 250 m² (typical structure 12×18 m). For a seated dinner without a separate dance floor, 150 to 180 m² is enough. Add a space for the welcome drinks reception and the bar, ideally in an annexe or covered outdoors.

In almost every case, yes. The flooring ensures guest comfort (particularly with heels), protects against damp ground in the evening, levels out uneven ground and makes dressing the tables easier. It is one of the most worthwhile options in terms of perceived quality.

You use gas heaters (radiant or warm-air) or electric heaters, sized according to the volume and the outside temperature. Even in summer, planning for heating is wise: the nights cool down and an unheated marquee often empties after midnight. Our team calculates the power needed according to your structure and your date.

Yes, provided the structure is fitted with closed walls and suitable heating. A well-insulated and heated tent maintains a comfortable temperature even in very cold weather. Winter marquee weddings, with warm decoration and carefully designed lighting, have a particular charm.

For the peak season (May to September), book 6 to 12 months in advance. Prestige structures and large capacities go quickly on the most sought-after weekends. The earlier you book, the more choice you have over the structure and the setup date.

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