How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Marquee or Tipi?

Marquee hire cost UK is one of the most common questions when planning a wedding or outdoor event. Prices can vary depending on size, style, and location

Planning an event and wondering “okay but… how much is this actually going to cost me?” – you’re in the right place.

Short answer – most marquee hire costs land somewhere between £2,500 and £15,000+ depending on guest numbers, location, and how fancy you want to go with all the fun bits (bars, lighting, dancefloors… the works).

Longer answer? Keep reading…

Or if you’re more of a just-tell-me-now kind of person, there’s an Instant Price calculator will do the hard work for you in about 30 seconds.

So… what is a marquee hire cost or a tipi hire cost?

Every marquee event is totally unique, so here’s a guide to what you can expect to invest. (and just to note we have averaged out the prices to include VAT so there’s no surprises for our clients.)

Sailcloth Tents (the romantic showstoppers)

If Pinterest had a favourite child, it would be these Sailcloth marquees.

Think: soft lighting, a beautiful ambient glow throughout, and elegant wooden framing… effortlessly stunning.

• 30 – 100 guests
  £4,500 –  £9,000
  Perfect for garden parties and intimate weddings
• 100 – 150 guests
  £6,500 –  £12,000
  Dining space, bar, dancefloor… all the key elements covered
• 150 – 250+ guests
  £8,000 – £20,000+
  Full-on luxury build with multiple zones

Giant Tipis (festival vibes, but make it luxury)

These Tipis are for the people who want something a bit different.

Relaxed, boho vibes, atmospheric and slightly wild (in the best way).

• Single tipi 30 – 70 guests
  £2,000 – £3,000
  Great for garden parties, cosy weddings, and smaller gatherings.
• Double tipi setups 60 – 110 guests
  £4,500 – £7,500
  The most popular UK tipi wedding setup, typically including flooring, lighting, and furniture.
• Large tipi setups 120 – 200+ guests
  £6,500 – £12,000+
  Multiple tipis + different zones = serious wow factor, fully styled for larger celebrations.

Stretch Tents (cool, modern & effortlessly stylish)

Sleek, sculptural and effortlessly cool Stretch Tents. Ideal for warmer weather with their open design – but clear sides are available if the great British weather decides to do its thing.

• 30 – 80 guests
  £1,500 –  £3,000
  Ideal for garden parties, informal weddings, and stylish private events.
• 80 – 150 guests
  £2,500 –  £4,000
  A popular choice for modern weddings and corporate events requiring covered social and dining space.
• 150 – 250+ guests
  £5,000 – £18,000+
  Multi-zone layouts with lighting, flooring, and bar/dance areas for bigger celebrations.

So, which one should you go for?

Well, that comes down to the vibe you want:

• Sailcloth – romantic, elegant, oozes romance and wow factor
• Tipi – relaxed, festival-style, a bit different
• Stretch – sculptural, stylish, slightly more laid-back

Two Tipi’s and a Kung set-up by the water, lit with fairy lights for a laid-back luxury festival vibe.

What actually affects the price?

• Guest numbers (big one)
• Layout (seated dining vs more relaxed)
• Location and access
• Ground conditions (sometimes we need to check what’s underneath)
• Flooring, lighting, furniture (aka the fun stuff)
• Extras like catering tents, heating, generators

Want a clear idea of your price, nice and quickly? We built our Instant Price Calculator for exactly this reason!

It will suggest the best structure for your event, show pricing based on your guest numbers, let you play around with extras and gives you a clear total instantly – the works!

And if you really can’t work out which tent is best, this next bit helps a lot – our video tour!

Head to our YouTube and you can:

• See our walkaround videos to get a feel of the marquees
• Listen to us talk about the marquees in detail

Wedding tables set, dance floor ready – layered with wood, candles, greenery and soft purples for a beautifully styled space.

Quick FAQs (because we know you’re thinking it)

How much does it cost to hire a marquee?
Most fall between £2,500 and £15,000+

Cost per person?
Usually around £50 – £150+ per guest, depending on furniture and extras

What’s cheapest?
Depends on your setup – but stretch tents can be more cost-effective if you keep things simple.

Do I need flooring?
Not always but we recommend durable matting – our marquees come with this as standard (and yes, heels are safe)

What’s included?
Structure, setup, takedown, lighting, matting – then you can layer in bars, furniture, chill-out areas, stages… all the good stuff.

How fast can I get a price?
About 30 seconds with the Instant Price facility on our website (button is top right hand corner on each page).

And if you want a bit of guidance along the way, our team are always here (during office hours) to chat it through to help you create something seriously cool, check for availability, and get the quote right for you.

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