Stylish wedding decor in a Sailcloth Marquee – Photo Credit: Danielle Smith Photography
Planning a marquee wedding gives you the freedom to design a space entirely your own—from the ground up. Whether you’re envisioning a rustic countryside celebration or a luxurious, black-tie affair, your marquee is a blank canvas waiting to be transformed.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about how to decorate a wedding marquee, from foundational elements to personal touches, so you can create a spectacular celebration.
1. Start with a Vision
Before diving into specific decor, define your overall theme and mood. Are you going for bohemian and relaxed, elegant and classic, or quirky and colourful? Your answers will influence every choice you make!
Questions to Ask Yourselves:
- What time of year is our wedding?
- What colour palette do we love?
- Do we want a formal or informal feel?
- Are there cultural or personal elements we want to highlight?
Creating a mood board with images from Pinterest, Instagram, or wedding magazines can help you solidify your ideas and share your vision with suppliers.
2. Choose the Right Marquee Style
Your choice of marquee will affect both the aesthetics and practicalities of your wedding decor.
- Traditional Pole Marquees: A standard marquee with metal poles.
- Tipis or Yurts: Perfect for rustic or festival-style weddings – these usually have wooden frames/poles.
- Sailcloth Tents: Elegant and airy with natural light diffusion.
- Stretch Tents: Essentially a canopy – perfect cover for good weather but won’t suit windy or rainy days.
Ensure your marquee size accommodates not just guests, but also dance floors, dining areas, bars, and lounge spaces. Work with the marquee providers to create a floor plan.
A Tipi wedding captured by Rachel Manns Photography for Caitlin and Ali
A Stretch tent wedding Camilla & Ally captured by Emily Tyler Photography
A Sailcloth wedding for Minnie and Barney captured by Danielle Smith Photography
3. Flooring and Layout
You can either put the flooring down yourselves, using rugs or leaving it just as grass, or ask your marquee supplier to suggest what they can supply.
Flooring Options:
- Coconut matting: Natural and budget-friendly.
- Carpet: Adds a polished finish and is available in many colours.
- Wooden flooring: Ideal for uneven ground but requires a solid under floor base.
The layout of a marquee is so important. You need to think about the entire event and what people need and how they flow throughout the day. A marquee specialist will advise but it’s best if you have a vision for the layout yourselves.
Layout Tips:
- Designate zones: dining, dancing, lounging, bar.
- Use rugs or different flooring textures to define each area.
- Leave room for flow and access, especially to entrances and bathrooms.
4. Lighting: Setting the Mood
Lighting is one of the most impactful elements of marquee decor and it’s always surprising that you don’t really need more than fairy lights to brighten the nighttime section of your event.
Lighting Ideas:
- Fairy lights: Wrap them around poles, drape them from the ceiling.
- Chandeliers: Create drama and elegance.
- Pendant lights: Great for industrial or minimalist styles.
- LED Uplighting: Add colour and depth to the walls.
- Lanterns or festoon lights: Perfect for outdoor pathways and entrances.
Consider dimmable lighting or transitioning from brighter lights during dinner to softer tones for dancing.
5. Ceiling and Wall Treatments
Use the height and shape of the marquee to your advantage.
Draping:
- Soft, flowing fabric creates romance and can hide unattractive tent hardware.
- Consider white, ivory, or pastel tones for a light, airy feel.
Hanging Decor:
- Floral installations
- Edison bulb strings
- Paper lanterns or pom-poms
- Bunting for a vintage or festival vibe
Walls:
- Line with fabric or greenery panels.
- Hang family photos, neon signs, or large floral arrangements.
Wedding marquee styling ideas photographed by Chloe Lee Photography at the Events Under Canvas Annual Showcase event – see website for more information.
6. Furniture and Table Settings
There are many different ways to furnish your marquee wedding and often a marquee company will supply all the furniture you need, or they will know other furniture suppliers who they work with, if they styles they stock isn’t what you are looking for.
Table Layouts:
- Banquet-style for communal, casual dining.
- Round tables for a traditional, elegant look.
Chair Options:
- Clear chairs for timeless elegance.
- Cross-back wooden chairs for rustic charm.
- Lounge furniture: sofas, ottomans, and low tables for chill-out zones.
Table Decor:
- Linen tablecloths, runners, or bare wooden tables.
- Mix candles, florals, and table numbers creatively.
- Use place cards and menus as part of the aesthetic.
Don’t forget that when you have all your guests seated, with their crockery, cutlery and glasses, there isn’t that much space for overdoing it with table decor. We think more is less!
7. Florals and Greenery
Flowers add life and beauty to every corner of your marquee and decorating with flowers or greenery can really lift a wedding marquee.
Key Floral Areas:
- Table centerpieces
- Entrance arches or floral columns
- Hanging installations like floral poles
- Bar and lounge area pieces
Greenery Options:
- Garlands on tables or ceiling beams
- Potted plants and trees
- Living walls or backdrops for photo areas
Coordinate colors and textures with your theme. Seasonal flowers or foraged greenery can help reduce costs. Also don’t be afraid to pull in items from your own garden to decorate the space.
8. Create Photo-Worthy Focal Points
Design moments where guests will naturally gravitate—and take pictures.
Ideas:
- A styled welcome sign at the entrance
- A floral or balloon photo backdrop
- A unique wedding cake display
- A cosy lounge corner with layered rugs and cushions
These focal points also help your photographer capture stunning shots.
9. Personal Touches Make It Yours
Details tell your story and make the day feel personal.
Examples:
- Custom signage: with your names, timeline, or quotes
- A memory table for loved ones
- DIY touches like a guest book wall
- A signature cocktail with custom bar signage
Don’t overdo it—a few well-chosen touches can be more impactful than too many ideas all at once.
10. Weather-Proofing and Comfort
Marquees are semi-outdoor, so consider your guests’ comfort.
Weather Tips:
- Rent heaters or fans depending on the season.
- Provide umbrellas or parasols.
- Ensure your marquee is waterproof.
Comfort Additions:
- Portable restrooms with decor
- A cloakroom or storage area
- Welcome baskets with blankets or flip-flops
Final Thoughts
Decorating a wedding marquee is both an exciting opportunity and a logistical challenge. But with thoughtful planning and a clear vision, you can turn a simple tent into a magical, meaningful setting for your wedding day. Whether you choose opulence or simplicity, the beauty of a marquee is its adaptability to your unique love story.
So dream big, stay true to your style, and don’t forget to enjoy the creative journey. Your marquee wedding isn’t just about decor—it’s about setting the stage for one of the most memorable days of your life.
Need advice on choosing suppliers?
When it comes to decorating marquees we know many stylists or prop suppliers. We have our own range of furniture and finishing touches that suit all of our marquees, but also know other companies that supply different styles of furniture.
We have a list of recommended suppliers that you can go to directly to help create the vibe you are looking for in your marquee and of course we’re always happy to chat with you and recommend who is the best to speak to you.
Thanks to the following photographers, all based in the UK and thoroughly recommended by us (and of course to the wonderful couples that gave us their photos to use):