Naturally you may have lots of questions when thinking about hiring a marquee for your wedding, party or corporate event. Below are answers to questions that we are commonly asked, which we hope you find useful. However, if your query is not answered here, please ask us directly and we’d be happy to help.
The size of your marquee will depend on the number of guests you expect, plus added requirements such as bars, chill out areas and dancefloors. You will be limited by the space available in your garden or chosen venue but we can decide this during our complimentary site visit.
When you hire a marquee from us, it is for a weekend hire as standard unless requested otherwise.
We are very flexible when it comes to build and strike of the marquee. We can build the marquee in the preceding week on a day that suits you and it will invariably be dismantled the following Monday, subject to specific requests. Midweek events will be subject to your request. Saturday and Sunday build and strikes will incur an extra fee.
It is advised that you confirm all your requirements at least a month before your event to avoid disappointment. You are more than welcome to ask, but extra equipment cannot be guaranteed at short notice and some items may unavailable nearer the time.
Yes, all the walls on our traditional tents are removable, and on our frame marquees the walls can be rolled up or drawn back. Customers are asked not to tamper with the structure of the marquees however, unless specifically told otherwise.
Our clear span frame marquees are ideal for winter events, however the nature of our canvas traditional marquees means they do not hold up well in wintery weather.
You will need heaters during the winter, spring and autumn months, but during the summer season it is entirely up to you. It can get chilly at night even during the summer so it is always worth considering.
Yes. Our traditional marquees are flame and water proofed to industry standards and the clear span frame marquees are completely watertight. By their very nature however, being temporary structures, they can be susceptible to extreme weather.
We have four main types of marquee; traditional poled canvas, clear span aluminium frame marquees, pagoda marquees (also known as Chinese Hat) and dome marquees. They are all brilliant white apart from the traditional marquees which can appear slightly off white due to the canvas.
Our linings are ivory coloured as standard, in either flat or pleated varieties but any colour is attainable. We also have black starlight linings which adorn dancefloor areas brilliantly.
The power for your event needs to be discussed depending on your needs. It will never be provided by default and needs to be specifically requested, though we will always ask you about your power requirements. For example, you will need to think about the requirements of bands, catering and lighting. If you are near a property, the property’s mains should suffice but in a field or open space you will require a generator.
No, we can provide an array of different furniture, linings, dancefloors, lighting and ancillary items but to name a few. We are a one stop shop for all your party or event planning needs.
Yes, subject to a site visit. In severe cases scaffolding can be erected on slopes, and frame tents can be built on hardstanding using either water weights or concrete weights for ballast. Traditional marquees cannot be erected on hardstanding however and are not ideal on very uneven ground.
Yes, in most cases. We use connecting gutters which attach to the building, but is always subject to our customers’ approval as drilling or nailing will be involved.
Our marquees are incredibly safe. Our frame marquees are made by Losberger in France, one of the biggest and most reliable names in temporary structures, and our traditional marquees are secured heavily with a network of guy ropes, pulleys and stakes that keep it secure in upto 80mph winds.
Insurance is added to the net price at 6% and is termed a ‘damage waiver’.
Yes, all our marquees use stakes to secure them down so all underground water, gas, electrical and fibre optic cables and pipes must be clearly marked out.
We take every care to ensure as little damage is done to your garden, however there will be residual damage from the pins and the flooring, which may discolour the grass due to lack of sunlight. It should return to normal within a few days however.
Yes, we offer all our customers a complimentary, no obligation site visit.
The hire of a marquee will differ in price depending on the size of the event and the number of guests. The best way to find out how much it will cost in the long run is to make an enquiry with us, including as many specific details about the event as possible.
A traditional marquee uses king poles to lift it majestically from the ground and is made from canvas. It has wall poles all around the edge and is secured by a network of guys and pulleys attached to stakes in the ground. A frame marquee does not require poles and is held in place via a series of trusses and purlins atop thick aluminium legs. They use PVC walls and roofs which are absolutely watertight. Take a look at our marquee gallery pages to see the difference for yourself.
There is an array of different flooring we can provide you with, including our most popular coir matting flooring. New carpet is available in a host of different colours and indeed hard flooring throughout if required.
There are no hidden charges when you receive a quote from Lewis Marquees. Everything is itemised and laid out for you on your quote so you will miss nothing.
MUTA is the trade association for the UK temporary structures and technical textiles industries of which Lewis Marquees was a founding member back in 1919. You can see their website at www.muta.org.uk
We would always ask that the full invoice be settled 10 days prior to your event, and a 30% deposit is payable on receipt and signing of your hire contract.