Marquee Wedding Costs UK: Full Budget Br...
Quick answer: A fully self-supplied marquee wedding for 200 guests in the UK (marquee, catering, décor, power, toilets, entertainment) typically costs £30,000–£60,000 all-in. For 350 guests, budget £55,000–£90,000+. The marquee structure itself is usually 20–35% of total event costs.
A marquee wedding can look cheaper than a hotel wedding on the surface — until you start adding up all the components you need to provide yourself. Unlike a hotel venue, a marquee is just a shell. You supply everything else.
This full budget breakdown covers every cost category, with realistic ranges for the UK in 2025.
Cost Category Breakdown
1. Marquee Structure
| Item |
150 guests |
300 guests |
| Marquee structure (bare) | £3,500–£6,000 | £7,000–£12,000 |
| Interior lining | £1,200–£2,500 | £2,500–£5,000 |
| Flooring (wooden/carpet) | £1,500–£3,000 | £3,000–£6,000 |
| Lighting | £1,000–£2,500 | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Heating | £600–£1,500 | £1,200–£3,000 |
| Marquee subtotal | £8,000–£16,000 | £16,000–£31,000 |
2. Site and Logistics
| Item |
Typical cost |
| Land/site hire | £1,500–£5,000 |
| Generator hire (60–100 kVA) | £600–£1,500/day |
| Luxury toilet trailer (3-bay) | £500–£1,200/day |
| Temporary Event Notice (TEN) | £21–£62 (council fee) |
| Wedding insurance | £200–£600 |
| Security (2–4 staff, 10 hours) | £600–£1,600 |
| Parking management | £300–£800 |
3. Catering
South Asian wedding catering for a marquee typically costs £35–£70 per head for a full buffet or sit-down meal, including soft drinks. For 300 guests: £10,500–£21,000.
This usually does not include:
- Alcohol service (add £8–£15 per head if required)
- Catering equipment hire (chafing dishes, serving ware): £500–£1,500
- Staff (waitstaff, kitchen assistants): £1,000–£3,000
4. Décor and Dressing
- Full ceiling draping and fairy lights: £2,500–£6,000
- Stage and backdrop (floral or LED): £3,000–£10,000
- Table centrepieces (per table, 30 tables): £50–£150 = £1,500–£4,500
- Chair covers and sashes: £2–£5 per chair = £600–£1,500 for 300 guests
- Mehndi corner dressing: £800–£2,500
5. Entertainment
- DJ: £800–£2,500
- Live dhol player: £300–£600
- Photobooths: £500–£900
- Sound and AV system: £800–£2,500 (if not included in marquee hire)
Total Estimated Costs
| Guest count |
Budget range (all-in) |
| 150 guests | £28,000–£48,000 |
| 250 guests | £45,000–£70,000 |
| 350 guests | £60,000–£95,000 |
Common mistake: Budgeting only for the marquee and catering, then discovering unexpected costs at the last minute — generator hire, toilet trailer, security, parking management, and décor can add £8,000–£15,000 to a 300-guest marquee event. Build a 15% contingency into every marquee wedding budget.
Is a marquee wedding cheaper than a venue wedding?
Not always. A hotel or banqueting hall includes the space, furniture, power, toilets, and often catering. A marquee requires you to supply all of these separately. For large South Asian weddings where a family wants total control — especially over catering — the marquee can offer better value. For smaller weddings, a fixed venue is usually more cost-effective once all marquee components are costed.
What is the most expensive part of a marquee wedding?
For South Asian weddings, catering is usually the largest single cost, followed by the marquee structure and décor. The marquee itself is typically 20–30% of the total event budget.
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