Wedding and party marquee hire
Marquee HireFrame, stretch and pole marquees and tipis for weddings and parties.
A marquee gives an event a room where there wasn’t one. The right structure depends on the site, the guest count, the season and the look you want, so start with the site, then compare structures.
- Structures
- Frame marquees, stretch tents, pole marquees, pagodas and tipis
- Often added
- Flooring, walls, lighting, heating and furniture
- Check first
- Ground, slope, access and what is underground
- Pairs with
- Event lighting and event furniture
Structures
Choosing a structure.
Five common options. Availability and names differ between hire companies, so ask to see each one in use.
| Structure | What it is | Suits | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame marquee | A clear-span frame with walls that can be added or removed | Weddings and larger events that need a defined room | A level site and time for installation |
| Stretch tent | A flexible fabric roof on poles, open or partly enclosed | Relaxed parties and outdoor lounges | Pegging points and wind |
| Pole marquee | A peaked roof held up by centre poles | Garden weddings and a traditional look | Poles inside the space affect the layout |
| Pagoda | A small freestanding structure with a pointed roof | Bars, entrances and welcome areas | Grouping several for larger spaces |
| Tipi | A tall conical tent, often linked to others | Festival-style and rustic events | Sloping walls reduce the usable floor area |
The site check
Check the site before choosing a size.
Measure the site
Allow extra space around the marquee for pegs, guy lines and access.
Check the ground
Level grass is easiest. Slopes, soft ground and hard surfaces change how a marquee is secured.
Find what is underground
Irrigation, pipes and cables can sit where pegs go. Locate them before installation day.
Plan access
Trucks and crews need a path to the site, and time before and after the event.
Ask about permits
Some councils and venues have rules for temporary structures. Check with them early.
Look up
Trees, wires and roof lines limit where a marquee can stand.
Marquee hire cost
What affects marquee hire cost.
Marquee quotes vary widely because every site is different. These are the lines to compare.
Size
The floor area needed for guests, furniture, a dance floor and a bar.
Structure type
Frame, stretch, pole and tipi structures differ in materials and installation.
Walls and flooring
Clear or solid walls, flooring and carpet each add to the quote.
Site conditions
Slopes, hard surfaces and difficult access can add labour.
Duration
How long the marquee stays up, including installation and removal days.
Extras
Lighting, heating, lining, furniture and power.
Weather and comfort
Rain, wind, heat and cold.
A marquee is only as comfortable as the plan for the conditions.
Rain
Ask about walls, guttering between joined structures and flooring that keeps guests’ feet dry.
Wind
Hire companies set their own wind limits and safety procedures. Ask what they are and what happens if conditions change.
Heat and cold
Clear walls can make a marquee warm on sunny days. Heaters, fans or open sides help, depending on the season.
Light
Plan lighting for inside the marquee and for the paths that lead to it.
By occasion
Different events, different structures.
The occasion shapes how much of a room the marquee needs to be.
Weddings
A complete room
A frame marquee with walls, flooring, lining and lighting can become the whole reception. Plan the ceremony and cocktail areas around it.
Parties
Cover what matters
Stretch tents and pagodas can cover a bar or lounge without enclosing the whole party.
Corporate and community events
Ask about paperwork
Larger structures may need engineering documents and council approval. Ask the hire company what it provides.
Party marquee hire
Smaller structures for parties at home.
A party marquee can be as simple as one pagoda over the bar or a stretch tent over a lounge area. Smaller structures suit backyards where a large frame marquee won’t fit through the side gate.
Share your backyard’s measurements, the ground surface and a photo of the access path with your brief.
Near you
Marquee hire near you.
Marquee hire is searched widely outside the capital cities, where weddings and parties are often held on private land. Regional sites can mean longer travel and installation days, so include the property address or nearest town.
These market pages cover the areas where people search for marquee hire most.
Location pages
- Brisbane
- Geelong
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Central Coast
- Newcastle
- Toowoomba
- Penrith
- Mornington Peninsula
- Ballarat
- Townsville
- Cairns
States
Brief it well
The details a marquee company asks first
Guest count, the format, the site surface and the access path.
Wedding for 90 guests on a family property outside Toowoomba in May. Looking for a frame marquee with clear walls, flooring, lighting and heating. The site is flat grass with truck access from the driveway.
Keep building the list
Inside and around the marquee.
Questions
Marquee hire, answered.
Questions to answer before a marquee company visits your site.
What size marquee do we need?
It depends on the guest count, whether guests are seated, and what else goes inside, such as a dance floor, a bar or lounges. Share those details and the hire company can suggest a size.
What is the difference between a marquee and a stretch tent?
A marquee usually has a fixed frame or poles and defined walls. A stretch tent uses flexible fabric pulled over poles and can take freer shapes.
How long does installation take?
It depends on the size and type. Larger frame marquees may need more than a day to install. Ask for the installation and removal schedule.
Do we need a permit for a marquee?
It depends on your council, the venue and the size of the structure. Check with both early in your planning.
Can a marquee go on a hard surface?
Often, using weights instead of pegs. Tell the hire company what surface the site has.
Build your brief
Tell us about the site.
Describe the property, the guest count and the season. Marquee hire companies who suit the event can review your brief and respond.
There is no obligation to book.