How Much Does a Marquee Wedding Near London Really Cost? (The Honest Breakdown)

If you’ve ever scrolled through Pinterest and thought, “We could just build our own wedding venue in a field!” — this one’s for you.

Marquee weddings look dreamy. Open skies, fairy lights, endless design freedom. But here’s the thing: a marquee wedding near London can cost as much (if not more) than a luxury venue.

So before you start sketching floor plans and ordering festoon lights, here’s a transparent breakdown of what it actually costs to build a wedding from the ground up — marquee, power, toilets, florals, the lot.

1. The Marquee Itself — from £3,000 to £35,000+

Your marquee is your “venue,” so naturally, it’s the biggest investment. At the lower end, you’ll get a simple frame marquee with flooring, tables, and lighting. But if you’re dreaming of clear roofs, hard flooring, seamless linings, and architectural lighting design, you’re looking at £18,000–£35,000+.

Premium suppliers around London create truly stunning temporary spaces — but they come with the logistics (and price tag) of a small build.

2. Flooring, Linings, and Furniture — £2,000–£10,000

Wooden flooring, chic tables, and comfortable seating all add up. A quality floor alone can run £1,500–£5,000 depending on the terrain. Add design-led furniture, soft seating areas, bars, and statement tables, and you’ll easily reach £10,000 — especially if you want it to feel like an interior, not a tent.

3. Lighting, Sound & Power — £6,000–£25,000+

Lighting is where the magic happens (and where the budget creeps). Simple festoons are charming, but for that layered, cinematic glow — think moving heads, uplighting, and warm ambience — you’ll need proper kit, crew, and a generator.

• Lighting design & hire: £6,000–£20,000

• Sound system & PA: £3,000–£10,000

• Generator & distribution: £1,500–£6,000

If you’re working with a production team (and you should, for safety and effect), this is where expertise matters.

4. Catering & Drinks — £12,000–£30,000+

A marquee wedding doesn’t come with a kitchen — so you’re building one. High-end catering for 120 guests will usually cost £120–£250+ per head, including staff and service. Add late-night food and a bar with proper champagne and cocktails, and the total sits comfortably between £15,000–£30,000.

The more you want it to feel like a restaurant experience (plated courses, cocktail service, tasting menu), the more hands and logistics are required.

5. Florals & Styling — £10,000–£30,000+

If you’ve ever seen a marquee dripping in florals, it wasn’t a few buckets from the market. Suspended installations, archways, and abundant tablescapes easily start at £10,000 and often climb well into five figures.Factor in styling labour, linen hire, and prop sourcing, and you’re closer to £15,000–£30,000+ for a truly design-led look.

6. Toilets, Waste, Heating & Site Logistics — £2,000–£8,000

Luxury loo trailers are non-negotiable (and surprisingly chic these days). Add site power, heating, waste management, and delivery costs, and you’ll likely spend another £2,000–£8,000 on pure logistics. Not the glamorous part, but crucial.

7. Planner / Producer / Creative Director — £8,000–£20,000+

A marquee wedding is essentially an outdoor build — multiple suppliers, power, logistics, layout, timings, safety… it’s a lot. A planner (hi 👋) coordinates all of it so your day runs seamlessly, and the end result looks intentional, not improvised.

Most experienced planners charge £8,000–£20,000+ depending on scope, scale, and creative involvement. Worth every penny when you consider the moving parts (and the potential for chaos).

8. Photography, Video & Entertainment — £8,000–£20,000+

Top-tier photographers and filmmakers range from £4,500–£10,000+. Bands, DJs, or full production entertainment packages can range from £2,000–£20,000+, depending on acts and equipment.

9. The Real Total: £70,000–£250,000+

Here’s the honest truth:

• A typical well-produced marquee wedding near London typically costs £70,000–£120,000.

• A production-led, luxury marquee wedding with immersive design, lighting, and multi-day setup will easily reach £120,000–£250,000+.

It’s not “crazy expensive” — it’s just that you’re building a venue, a kitchen, and a small festival from scratch.

10. My Advice (From Someone Who’s Done a Few of These)

If you’re drawn to the design freedom of a marquee wedding, go for it — but plan early, budget realistically, and bring in a professional who can oversee the build as much as the beauty.

Because yes, it can be spectacular. But behind every magical marquee wedding you’ve ever seen is a lot of spreadsheets, generators, and site plans.

11. Why a Country Estate Might Be the Smarter Investment

Here’s something I always tell my couples (usually after they’ve seen the quote spreadsheet):You could have a stunning country estate wedding for the same price — or even less — than a marquee build.

Many privately owned estates near London offer exclusive hire, gorgeous architecture, proper power, kitchens, and (most importantly) solid roofs. You get the grandeur, the gardens, and the flexibility to design your look — without worrying about rain, mud, or generators.

I adore a marquee wedding when it’s done well, but here’s the honest truth: English weather is a diva. It doesn’t care about your Pinterest board or your clear-roof dreams. That’s why I always recommend either choosing a venue with indoor options or, if your heart’s set on a marquee, hosting it on the grounds of an established country house.

That way, you’ve got a beautiful, weatherproof Plan B — and trust me, Plan B is non-negotiable.

Planning a wedding near London?

I specialise in design-led, unconventional weddings that balance creativity with calm logistics. If you’d like help shaping your wedding into something beautifully cohesive (and stress-free), get in touch — I’ll make sure it looks effortless, even if it takes 48 hours and three generators to get there.

Marquees can be magical, but a country estate wedding gives you the same aesthetic potential — with far fewer moving parts. You still get those cinematic lawns, architectural backdrops, and weekend-long celebrations, but with comfort, character, and reliability built in. I help couples plan design-focused weddings across London and the UK, curating timeless celebrations that feel effortless, even in British weather.

→ Discover my planning and styling services