Word from a Wedding Planner

Why marquee weddings are so special – through the lens of the wonderful Wedding Planner, Victoria Seithel

1. Why have marquee weddings captured your heart?

When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most exciting parts is the endless opportunity for creativity. For couples who want to go beyond the limitations of traditional venues, a marquee wedding opens the door to an entirely bespoke experience. Whether it’s choosing a meaningful location, handpicking every supplier, or extending the celebration into a weekend-long event, marquee weddings offer a unique level of freedom that’s hard to beat.

Traditional venues, while beautiful, often come with restrictions—approved caterers, set layouts, limited décor options. With a marquee, it’s the complete opposite. You’re handed a blank canvas and can truly make it your own. You get to design every detail, from the seating arrangements to the dance floor, lighting, tableware, and flowers. Another incredible benefit of a marquee wedding is that you can host your wedding somewhere that’s meaningful to you both, whether that’s in your own back garden, a scenic meadow, or a family home.

One couple I worked with recently chose to get married on their grandparents’ estate. The grandparents had passed away, but the family home held such a strong connection to them. Having their wedding there allowed them to feel closer to their loved ones and gave the day a deeply personal touch that wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere. This is the beauty of a marquee—it allows you to create those special moments in places that truly matter.

Unlike traditional venues that often have time limits, a marquee allows you to extend your celebration over two or three days. If you love the idea of turning your wedding into a weekend event, a marquee wedding gives you the flexibility to do just that. Picture this: a welcome dinner on the first night, a beautiful wedding day followed by a night of dancing under the stars, and a relaxed brunch the day after to wrap up the celebration. You get more time with your guests, more opportunities to celebrate, and more memories to cherish. It also takes some of the pressure off the wedding day itself, allowing you to be present at every moment.

2. Which suppliers would you love to shout about and why?

While the idea of organising a wedding from the ground up might sound daunting to some, that’s where the option of a wedding planner can make all the difference. You can work with a wedding planner to source your dream team of suppliers, to host a wedding day that is thoughtful, intentional and fun. Having a planner on board can help ensure that every aspect of your day matches your vision.

My ultimate dream team would include:

Florist

I love exploring larger floral installations and am continually impressed by Debrah J Flowers. She is not afraid of a challenge and pushing boundaries, and simultaneously seeks to fully understand her clients’ vision and desire for their floral styling.

Photo and Video

This is a tricky one as I work with so many incredible photographers and videographers!

SL Photo and Film are an excellent husband and wife duo, local to me in Sheffield, who travelled with me to Provence earlier this year. They have become wonderful friends both inside and outside of the wedding world and I always enjoy working with them.

I also love working with James from Sugardbird Photography who is a leader within the field, incredibly generous with his work and is a lot of fun to work with!

Stationery

Amber from Love Flora Studio combines elegance and luxury with apersonalised and cosy experience, as she creates designs that elevate any event.

Sax

I worked with Matt from Matt Case Sax who is incredibly gifted, as well as so much fun! He is a perfect choice for any event, especially marquee weddings as he is fully mobile and knows how to get the party started.

Bridal Stylists

Nala & Knott - Their whole team are experts in bringing a joyful, fun atmosphere to wedding day. Not only are they artists in hair and makeup, but they are a genuinely lovely team who will make you feel like a Queen, as well as your whole Bridal Party. I would love to work with them more in the future.

Ultimately the gift of a Wedding Planner is finding suppliers who fit each couple perfectly. However, any wedding with the above suppliers involved is sure to be a good one!

3. Tell us more about your services…

While marquee weddings offer unmatched flexibility, they also come with their own unique challenges. You’re essentially building a venue from the ground up, which means there are a lot of logistics to consider—power, lighting, flooring, heating, toilets, and more. For some couples, it can feel like a lot to manage, and that’s where having an experienced Wedding Planner can make all the difference.

We’ll take care of everything behind the scenes, from liaising with suppliers to ensuring that the marquee is set up correctly and looks stunning on the day. On top of that, we’ll handle the finer details like creating a timeline, coordinating deliveries, and making sure each supplier is confident in their roles and timings on the day. Essentially, we take the stress out of the planning process so you can focus on the fun parts—like choosing flowers, designing your table settings, and enjoying the lead-up to your big day.

A Wedding Coordinator will also be there on the day itself, making sure everything runs like clockwork, so you can relax and enjoy every moment.

4. What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve planned and why?

I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible couples who have such wonderful visions for their day, so it’s impossible to consider the ‘most memorable’ wedding! However, there is something special about a luxury marquee wedding which offers ultimate personalisation and room for creativity. I especially love Josh and Maryna’s wedding from July 2023, who opted for a luxury marquee from Boutique Marquees, located in Josh’s family home in North Yorkshire.

Their ceremony took place in a local church immediately next to Josh’s parents’ estate, giving guests the opportunity to walk from ceremony to reception in under five minutes. This was especially helpful as despite their wedding being planned in the summer months, it poured with rain for much of the day! This however was not an issue, as their beautiful marquee was spacious enough to host guests for the drinks reception (pro tip: if you’re opting for a marquee, ensure you have a sufficient wet weather plan - choosing a spacious
marquee helps!).

Josh, originally from Yorkshire, and Maryna, from Ukraine, combined their cultures through their choice of favours, drinks menu and traditions throughout the day. I’m a firm believer that luxury and fun can co-exist on a wedding day, proved by Maryna’s chance of shoe choice as she hit the dance floor in her white trainers! Ending the night with an extravagant fireworks display, this was truly one to remember.

5. What are the key elements or TOP TIPS for planning a marquee wedding?

While we all hope for clear skies on our wedding day, it’s essential to have a wet weather plan in place, particularly if you are dreaming of an outdoor ceremony. Choose a marquee with sturdy construction and consider options like sidewalls and umbrellas to protect against rain or wind. It’s important to consider a marquee structure that is able to host separate spaces, for example, guest tables on one side, a dance floor on the other side, with a bar in the middle. This enables guests to take cover by the dance floor if needed, whilst not yet taking their seats at guest tables. 

Ensure your marquee wedding is a success with attention to detail:

Lighting: Set the mood with carefully curated lighting, from fairy lights to chandeliers. Work with your lighting supplier to design a lighting scheme that enhances the ambiance of your marquee.

Flooring: Choose flooring that is both practical and stylish, providing a safe and comfortable surface for  dancing and socializing.

Heating: Keep your guests warm and cozy with portable heaters or fire pits, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather.

Catering Tent: Provide your catering team with a dedicated space to prepare and serve delicious meals, ensuring a seamless dining experience for your guests.

Bar Space: Create a stylish and functional bar area within the marquee, complete with personalized signage and signature cocktails.

6. What would you say to anyone uncertain of whether a marquee wedding is for them?

If you would like a wedding day that is completely unique to you, offers ultimate personalisation, and can offer a 2-3 day celebration with your loved ones, a marquee wedding is an excellent option for you. There are more logistical considerations with a marquee wedding than a more traditional venue, however opting to book a Wedding Planner will allow you to focus on the elements of planning that you enjoy, trusting your Planner to
handle the details. 

If a full service Wedding Planner is not required or out of budget, booking a Wedding Coordinator is a must for marquee weddings. Handling not only the logistics of the day, but supplier communication ahead of the wedding, supplier and guest management on the day, as well as being a point person for you or your loved ones.

If you would love complete personalisation of your day, but are uncertain due to the logistical challenges, considering a Wedding Planner or Wedding Coordinator may alleviate any concerns you may have.

7. If you could get married anywhere, where would it be and why?

I got married to my wonderful husband, Brett, in September 2020 (COVID Bride here!). Our wedding was intimate with 30 guests, with a church ceremony and a simple reception at a local venue. While this was not at all what we had planned, it was a perfect day for us. 

In the future, we would love to renew our vows with a large, marquee reception on our friends’ estate in the Peak District, 15 minutes from our home. We would enjoy a long-weekend staycation IN the estates’ AirBnbs with our closest friends, in which we would invite all the many guests who were not able to attend our wedding due to the pandemic, to celebrate and dance the night away with us! I’d opt for Mexican Food, followed by Crepes in the evening, with an intimate brunch the following morning. I’d also love a large brass band, as well as a Saxophonist to keep the dance floor full all evening!

To book a complimentary, 30-minute discovery call to find out more, visit victoriaseithel.com