How to Choose the Perfect Party Tent to Hire for Your Celebration

Transforming Any Location into a Venue

One of the greatest advantages to choosing a party tent to hire for your special day or event is the ability to turn any outdoor space into a tailored venue. Whether it’s your own back garden, a rented estate, or a local field, a marquee gives you the freedom to choose your location rather than being confined to traditional venues. This flexibility allows you to host a celebration where it feels most personal, whether that’s your family home or a scenic countryside setting.

Total Control Over Design and Atmosphere

With a party marquee hire, you’re not limited by the style or rules of a venue. Instead, you control the look, layout, and experience from the ground up. From casual garden parties to glamorous evening receptions, marquees can be customised to match your vision. You decide on the theme, floorplan, furnishings, and lighting so your celebration feels exactly how you want it to.

All-Weather Peace of Mind

Let’s not forget the unpredictability of British weather. Rain, wind, or strong sunshine can quickly take the shine off an outdoor event. A high-quality party tent to hire offers shelter and security, so your guests stay dry, shaded, or warm depending on the season. At One Six Events, we design tents that are equipped for all eventualities — with durable roofing, hard flooring, and climate control options to keep everyone comfortable.

A well-planned garden party marquee turns your outdoor celebration into a professionally executed event space, without losing any of the personal charm or flexibility.

 

What Makes a Great Party Tent? Key Features to Look For

Flexibility in Size and Layout

A great party tent should be adaptable. Celebrations come in all sizes — from intimate dinners to large birthday bashes — so your tent must suit your guest numbers without feeling cramped or cavernous. At One Six Events, we tailor each marquee to fit your party’s size,  with layouts that flow effortlessly. Whether you want a single open space or defined areas for dining, dancing, and relaxing, the layout is designed around your needs.

Clearspan marquees are particularly useful here, as they have no internal poles and allow full freedom in arranging furniture and staging. Petal pole marquees, on the other hand, offer a charming central canopy feel with natural wooden poles, perfect for more relaxed or rustic events.

High-Quality Flooring and Weather Protection

Flooring may seem like a practical detail, but it plays a huge role in defining the look and feel of your marquee. For a summer garden party, natural coir matting offers a relaxed, barefoot-friendly feel, while solid wooden flooring provides a more polished finish, ideal for evening events or when you want a clear division between indoor and outdoor zones. 

If the ground is uneven or the weather is uncertain, raised platforms or boarded floors provide comfort and accessibility for all guests.

The right flooring also helps to anchor your layout, guiding guests through different zones such as bars, seating areas, or dancefloors. It’s an essential element that’s functional and subtly reinforces the style and structure of your celebration.

Strong sidewalls, secure anchoring, and waterproof roofing are all non-negotiable for outdoor UK events. A good party marquee hire solution should be as dependable as any indoor venue when it comes to shelter.

Lighting, Heating, and Practical Extras

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools you have when creating atmosphere inside a marquee. Functional lighting is essential; guests need to see clearly once the sun sets, but it’s the decorative lighting that transforms your party tent into something truly special.

Festoon lighting is a popular choice for outdoor garden parties, giving a warm and inviting glow that carries from day to evening. Chandeliers add a touch of luxury and formality, while fairy lights strung along beams or rooflines bring softness and romance. Uplighting can be used to highlight features like trees, floral installations, or the marquee’s structure itself.

For evening events you can create zones with lighting, a brighter dining area, ambient lounges, and a dynamic, colour-washed dancefloor, and signaling transitions throughout the night.

Great party marquee hire packages also come with thoughtful extras like optional heating or cooling, and enough power supply to run catering, bars, and entertainment.

Furniture That Matches Your Style and Practical Needs

Furnishings bring your party to life, and selecting the right pieces can add both comfort and consistency. For dining, long wooden tables give a communal feel, while round tables offer a more traditional format. Elegant folding chairs, statement lounge seating, or bespoke bar units can all be introduced to match your theme.

We also provide extras such as mirrored bars, soft seating, outdoor furniture, and even covered walkways between marquees, allowing you to create the right balance of practicality and polish. Every detail is thoughtfully planned to make your space perfect for both heartfelt speeches and lively dancing.

 

Choosing the Right Type of Garden Party Marquee for Your Event

Petal Pole Marquees – Laid-back Elegance

The petal pole marquee is a classic choice for those seeking elegance with a relaxed tone. With sweeping rooflines, soft canvas walls, and charming wooden poles, this style evokes a timeless summer celebration. It’s a favourite for garden party marquee events and countryside events, offering a beautifully romantic setting that doesn’t feel overstyled.

This type of marquee works particularly well on grass or soft surfaces, making it ideal for private gardens or rural settings. The open sides and breathable canvas also help maintain a fresh, airy feel throughout the day, which is perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

Clearspan Marquees – Flexible and Sleek

If you’re planning a larger or more structured event, a clearspan marquee may be the better option. Built without internal support poles, these marquees offer complete freedom in layout — ideal for integrating stages, long banquet tables, or multiple zones. Their sleek profile also suits more contemporary party designs, where clean lines and modern styling are key.

Clearspan structures are more robust and weatherproof, which makes them suitable for year-round use and for locations with uneven or hard ground. With clear sides or roofs available, they can still provide natural light and outdoor views, even if the weather turns.

Pagoda Marquees – Stylish and Compact

For smaller events or as an add-on to a main marquee, pagoda marquees are a stylish and functional option. With their high peaked roofs and square footprint, they’re often used as standalone bars, entrances, chill-out zones, or food stations. Despite their compact size, they make a striking visual impact and help divide your party into distinctive areas.

Pagodas are particularly useful for parties where space is limited or where you want to create an experience with different zones. They can also be combined in modular formations to scale up if needed.

 

Seasonal Tips for Hosting the Perfect Garden Party Marquee Event

Choosing the Best Time of Year

The British climate means choosing the right date can make a big difference in how your marquee event unfolds. Late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the best chance for dry, pleasant weather, with June and July providing the most daylight. However, this also tends to be the busiest period for party marquee hire, so booking early is essential.

For a more relaxed pace and milder conditions, September can be an excellent choice — particularly when you still want the warmth of summer without the peak-season rush. 

Preparing for Weather Variability

Even in summer, it’s wise to plan for variable weather. We recommend using solid or boarded flooring if rain is expected, along with enclosed sidewalls that can be opened or closed depending on conditions. For warmer days, open-sided marquees and clear roof panels allow airflow and bring the outdoors in.

Heating may be necessary for early spring or late autumn events. At One Six Events, we offer discreet but powerful marquee heaters that maintain a pleasant internal temperature without disrupting the aesthetic. Likewise, fans or shade structures can be introduced to combat summer heat.

Seasonal Styling and Menu Ideas

Each season brings its own creative opportunities. Spring marquees suit soft florals, pastels, and afternoon tea-style menus. Summer events lean toward bright colours, fresh drinks, and alfresco dining vibes. Autumn brings warmth in colour and cuisine — think candlelight, burgundy accents, and rustic food stations.

Our team can advise on styling ideas that enhance the natural feel of the season while keeping the design cohesive. No matter the month, a thoughtfully planned garden party marquee can deliver an unforgettable experience.

 

FAQs About Party Marquee Hire

How Early Should I Book My Party Tent?

We recommend booking a party tent to hire for your occasion at least 6–9 months in advance, especially if your celebration is planned during peak summer weekends. High demand in late spring and summer can limit availability, particularly for popular marquee styles or garden locations. Booking early gives you a better choice of layouts and extras — and allows time for proper planning and site visits.

Do I Need Permission to Erect a Marquee?

In most cases, you don’t need planning permission for a temporary structure on private land, especially if it’s in place for fewer than 28 days. However, if you’re hiring a marquee in a public space or listed property, you may need approval from the venue owner or local council. We can help advise based on your location.

Can I Host a Marquee Party in My Garden?

Yes — many clients host parties in their own gardens, whether in the countryside or suburbs. We’ll assess your space for access, surface conditions, and size during a site visit to make sure the marquee fits and functions properly. Even small gardens can be used creatively with the right marquee style.

What’s Included in the Hire?

A standard party marquee hire package includes the marquee structure, flooring, lighting, and optional furnishings. At One Six Events, we tailor each package to your event, including extras like heating, bars, toilets, and power if needed. We also handle delivery, setup, and takedown, so you don’t have to worry about logistics.

How Long Does Setup and Takedown Take?

Setup typically begins one or two days before your event, depending on the marquee size and complexity. Takedown is usually completed the day after. We work to your timeline and coordinate with any other suppliers to keep the whole process smooth and stress free.

For more frequently asked questions visit our Party Marquee Hire FAQs page here.

 

Why Choose One Six Events for Your Party Marquee Hire?

A Complete, Tailored Experience

At One Six Events, we go far beyond simply providing a tent. We deliver a fully bespoke event environment — tailored to your style, schedule, and guest experience. From your initial enquiry to the moment the last glass is cleared away, we’re focused on making your celebration as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Our party marquees are of the highest quality and maintained to impeccable standards, giving you the look and comfort of a premium venue in the setting of your choice.

We understand that every event is unique. Whether you’re planning to get a party tent to hire for a birthday party, anniversary dinner, or summer celebration with friends, we’ll guide you through marquee styles, layout options, and hire packages that work for your space and guest count. Our team offers clear advice, flexible solutions, and expert execution at every step.

Beautiful Marquees, Expertly Installed

All of our structures — from elegant petal pole marquees to sleek clearspan options — are all  installed with precision and care. We carry out full site visits and plan layouts that take into account everything from access routes and surface conditions to the position of the sun during your drinks reception. Our technicians work quickly and efficiently so your marquee is delivered on time and built to perfection.

We also offer thoughtful add-ons to complete your setup: stylish furniture, bar units, premium lighting, discreet heating, luxury toilets, and outdoor extras like parasols or covered walkways. Our in-house team brings everything together so your celebration feels cohesive, comfortable, and above all — personal.

Trusted by Clients Across the South of England

With years of experience delivering marquee events across London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Sussex, we’ve earned a reputation for quality, reliability, and creativity. Our clients come to us for garden parties, milestone birthdays, and private celebrations of all styles and sizes — and they stay with us because we take care of every detail.

We understand the logistics, we care about the finish, and we never cut corners. Choosing One Six Events means choosing a team that values your event as much as you do.

 

Celebrations Made Easy, Stylish, and Stress-Free

Choosing the right party tent to hire can completely transform how your celebration feels. Instead of being bound by the limitations of an indoor venue, a marquee gives you the freedom to host your party exactly where and how you want it. With the right planning, a garden or outdoor location becomes a fully functioning, beautiful event space — one that reflects your style and creates lasting memories for your guests.

Marquee events offer more than flexibility. They bring an energy and atmosphere that’s hard to match — blending the comfort of a purpose-built venue with the freshness of the outdoors. With the help of experienced professionals, planning a marquee party doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. At One Six Events, we simplify the process, working with you to design a celebration that fits your vision from start to finish.

Whether you need a garden party marquee for a gathering of 30 or a celebration with 300 guests, we’re here to help you get it right. From marquee selection and site planning to lighting, flooring, and furnishings, we take care of all the details — so you can focus on enjoying your event.

 

Start Planning Your Perfect Party Today

If you’re ready to create a celebration that feels unique, stylish, and entirely your own, get in touch with the team at One Six Events. We’ll help you choose the perfect marquee, tailor every element to suit your party, and make sure everything runs like clockwork.

Contact us today to book a consultation, explore our marquee styles, and request a personalised quote.

Category: Parties