The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Stylish Marquee Wedding
If you’ve found this blog post, chances are you’re dreaming of a marquee wedding in the countryside – and you’re in the right place. As a Yorkshire wedding photographer, I’ve captured outdoor celebrations in everything from sailcloth tents on rolling estates, to elegant marquees tucked into family gardens, and festival style tipi-style colourful celebrations.
Marquee weddings are magical because they’re completely yours – a blank canvas to design a day that feels personal, stylish, and unforgettable. But I also know they come with a few extra things to think about. That’s why I’m sharing my insider tips with newly engaged couples so you can plan a marquee wedding that feels effortless, looks beautiful, and photographs like a dream.
Why Choose a Marquee Wedding?
Unlike fixed wedding venues, a marquee is a blank canvas. You get to choose everything – from the layout of the space to the style of décor, the flow of the day, and even where your dancefloor sits. Whether you dream of a black-tie soirée or a relaxed countryside gathering, your marquee can be tailored to reflect your style perfectly. It can feel as intimate as a dinner party under canvas, or as grand as a full-scale luxury celebration. Either way, it will never feel cookie-cutter wedding.
One of the best things about a marquee wedding in Yorkshire is the backdrop. Imagine exchanging vows with rolling dales in the distance, or hosting dinner surrounded by manicured estate gardens. From private family land to historic manor grounds, the county is full of breathtaking locations to set the scene.
Choosing the Right Location
The setting is everything. What feels most you as a couple? Practicality matters too. Is there easy access for your suppliers to set up? Can guests park without hassle? Is there space for power generators, catering tents, and bathrooms? A marquee can be an amazing venue, but only if the foundations and planning are in place. Consider hiring a wedding planner to help from the start if this all sounds a little daunting!
Marquee Styles
The style of marquee you choose will set the tone for your wedding, and will be the backdrop for your photos, so choose carefully what feels like the right choice for you as a couple.
Tipis & Sperry Tents
Rustic, bohemian, or festival-inspired, with warm, earthy textures. Tipis are much darker inside than other types of marquee, and will cast an orange hue to your photos. This can look cosy and warm, but might not be for you if you’re after modern and sleek.
Layout is just as important as style. Think about where you want the dancefloor, dining space, and bar — and how guests will flow between them.
Clearspan Marquees
Sleek and versatile, with no interior poles to work around. Perfect for contemporary styling.
Traditional Pole Marquees
Romantic and timeless, using central poles that can be dressed in florals or drapery.
Sailcloth Tents
Elegant, light-filled, with swooping peaks, it’s no wonder these are the most popular choice. These are a photographer’s dream because the natural light floods in beautifully.
Pro Tip - Opt for 2 marquees especially in spring and autumn so there is sheltered reception space for your guests for a drinks reception, and wedding breakfast in each, as the space won’t work for both parts of your day if the weather turns!
Lighting & Decor
Lighting transforms! By day, white interiors create a bright, airy space that photographs beautifully. By night, festoons & fairy lights turn the marquee into an evening fairytale.
Consider layering your lighting — overhead installations, twinkling lights woven into the ceiling, and warm pools of light over dining tables. Rustic timber frames can feel cosy, while crisp white lines create a chic, modern look. Don’t forget the outside: festoon-lit pathways and lanterns add atmosphere while guiding guests safely after dark.
Golden hour portraits outside the marquee are often the highlight of the day — a chance to step away, breathe, and capture that warm evening glow with your marquee twinkling behind you.
Weather Proofing Your Day
Yorkshire weather is charmingly unpredictable, so a little planning goes a long way. Solid flooring keeps heels from sinking into grass and ensures guests stay comfortable even if it rains. Add a large area with canvas matting outside the marquee to help define the space around the marquee or tipi for guests and for walkways to the reception.
Consider adding clear sides or removable walls to keep out wind and drizzle without blocking the view. Heating (or fans in summer) makes the marquee comfortable, no matter the season. And always have a contingency — from umbrellas to a clear plan for moving a drinks reception indoors if the heavens open. Peace of mind means you’ll enjoy the day, rain or shine.
Make it Fun & Memorable
One of the joys of a marquee wedding is the freedom to create experiences that truly reflect your personalities. Because you’re not tied to the constraints of a traditional venue, you can bring in entertainment, styling, and surprises that transform the day into something unforgettable.
Set up giant Jenga, croquet, or even mini golf to keep guests entertained during drinks. These work well while you’re away having portraits — and they photograph beautifully too. If you love music, why not go all out with a festival theme? Think street food vans, glamping for guest accommodation, festival flags & signage & tipi chill-out areas.
Photography Timeline
Light is the secret ingredient in beautiful marquee wedding photos. If possible, plan your ceremony and key portraits around the natural light of your chosen season. For summer, mid-afternoon ceremonies with golden-hour portraits work perfectly. In autumn, earlier timings are often best.
Build in little windows of time to step away from the marquee with your photographer — whether that’s during cocktail hour for relaxed portraits, or just before dinner for a golden-hour escape. Think about when your evening guests might arrive, when you’ll do your first dance etc. so these timings don’t clash with the prefect timing for sunset photos.
Evening Entertainment
Other outside structures can help to create a sense of place and allow breakout areas from the main marquee. They also make a great photo backdrop for your couple portraits as well as guest selfies. Photo booths, caricaturists, or even gin-tasting bars keep guests mingling and entertained well into the night. The beauty of a marquee wedding is that you can scale entertainment up or down depending on your style.
A custom cocktail menu or a mixologist shaking drinks behind a rustic outdoor bar always goes down a storm. Naming cocktails after your love story or favourite places in Yorkshire adds a personal twist that guests will remember.
Logistics & Essentials
The behind-the-scenes details make all the difference. All the non-sexy bits to a wedding can add up when you’ve got to put them in place yourselves, but they all ensure a smooth running day. Make sure you’ve planned for:
Power & Access
You’ll need generators for lighting, catering, and entertainment. Ensure there’s enough space for guest cars, plus smooth access for suppliers - all out of the way for your photos.
Catering & Bathrooms
A catering tent with easy access to the marquee is a must. Luxury portable restrooms keep things comfortable. Sounding overwhelming? Then hire a wedding planner to take care of all the details including who handles waste, breakdown, and clean-up.
Sustainability
Eco-conscious couples might consider solar lighting, recyclable décor, or hiring suppliers with green credentials. Handled well, your guests won’t notice a thing — they’ll simply remember how effortless and joyful the whole day felt.
Are we a good fit?
If you’re dreaming of a marquee wedding in Yorkshire, I’d love to help you capture it beautifully. Get in touch if:
You’re planning a marquee wedding & want a warm, friendly photographer that puts you at ease and will be your bonus bridesmaid/wedding planner for the day
You don't want a gallery of perfectly posed stuffy photos but instead a gallery of beautiful emotion, and images which tell the story of your day
You’re open-minded, willing to trust your photographer, and keen to plan your schedule, in order to get some epic & authentic shots