Plan the perfect marquee party with our essential Checklist for Planning a Marquee Party, designed to guide you through every step of the process.
Choose Venue
Planning a marquee party requires meticulous attention to detail, with the venue being top of your checklist. The location sets the mood and backdrop of your party, hence selecting the right spot is paramount. This could vary from a charming garden, or an expansive park to a rustic farm. Aim for a place which resonates with the theme or ambiance you envisage for your party. One vital factor to consider when selecting your venue is the size of your guest list. Ideally, the venue should offer sufficient space to comfortably accommodate both your marquee and your guests.
However, avoid locations that are excessively large, as this may make your party feel underpopulated. Accessibility needs to be a priority as well, especially for your potentially geographically dispersed friends and family. Moreover, the timing of your event is key. If scheduled for daylight hours, ensure your chosen location can offer enough shade to keep your guests cool.
On the other hand, if it's an evening affair, consider the lighting conditions of the area. Safety is imperative, so having a venue without any lurking hazards is crucial. Lastly, always check with the venue for any rules or restrictions they might enforce. While some venues prohibit food or drink being brought in from outside, others might have a strict curtain-down time.
Entertainment
Entertainment is an essential aspect of any marquee party. Providing the proper entertainment doesn't just keep your guests occupied, but it also sets the tone for the entire event. It generates an energising and enjoyable atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Your selected entertainment will align closely with the theme of your party. Imagine this: The strings of a live band are strumming in harmony, the DJ is producing dance-inducing tunes, the magician is delighting the crowd with his remarkable tricks, or the comedian is keeping everyone in stitches with laughs galore.
It's your opportunity to create an unforgettable, magical atmosphere that will resonate with your guests. For those who love to boogie down, a dance floor is an absolute necessity at a marquee party. The use of a dance floor doesn't just encourage your guests to let loose and enjoy themselves but it also gives structure to the event space.
For those considering a marquee wedding, considering professional dancers might be a good idea. They can deliver thrilling performances, inspire attendees to get their own shoes tapping, and make the event unforgettable.
In addition, introducing interactive games into your marquee party makes for a fun-filled event. This idea is particularly appealing if children are included on your guest list. Nothing can replicate the joy kids derive from playing their favourite games. Interactive games can ensure that children stay entertained throughout the party, and adults are often more than happy to indulge in a spot of childlike fun too.
So, whether you're planning a formal or casual event, a child's birthday party or a corporate get-together, always remember the importance of entertainment when planning your marquee party. The ultimate goal is to create a stunning event that every guest will remember fondly, and the selection of your entertainment plays a significant role in achieving this.
Decorations
Decorations truly hold the power to set the mood of any party and act as a special element that ties everything together seamlessly. Whether it is the marquee, the mouthwatering food or the vibrant entertainment, everything is brought together under one beautiful umbrella with the right decorations. There is an abundance of choices for party decor, ranging from whimsical fairy lights to delicate flowers, and everything in between.
You can curate your decorative elements according to the nature of your party. If you want a simplistic and elegant event, opt for minimal decor. Perhaps a few pendant lights or mason jar flower vases would suffice. However, if you are hosting a grand and lavish celebration, plan for an extravagant setup that corresponds with your party theme.
Lighting is another key aspect that should be considered carefully as it sets the tone of your event. If you wish to create a warm and twinkling ambience, fairy lights and lanterns would be the perfect pick. These can be hung around the venue to create a mesmerising effect. Alternatively, for a more dramatic and compelling visual spectacle, projection lighting is a brilliant choice. This lighting technique is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests and make your party a memorable event.
Catering
When it comes to planning any event, be it an intimate gathering or a big bash, food and drink are pivotal elements that can't be ignored. These tantalising treats not only captivate taste buds but also set the tone of the event.
The culinary delights you offer, whether gourmet snacks or traditional foods, should mirror the theme and vibe of the day, thereby assuring an enjoyable experience for all your guests. Planning for a relaxed, casual get-together? You might consider setting up a buffet.
Here, guests can mingle with each other while enjoying a variety of foods, leading to a more informal and cheerful atmosphere.
Alternatively, should you be hosting a more official or formal event, a sit-down meal is a great option. Providing a sense of elegance and order, sit-down meals also offer an opportunity for more refined and complex dishes to be appreciated.
Choosing the right catering service, however, requires consideration and careful thought. Firstly, ponder on what kind of food your guests would relish. An understanding of their palates would go a long way in making your event memorable. Secondly, don’t forget to address any dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or allergy-specific meals, to cater for all guests comfortably. Additionally, the timing of your event should influence your food and drink selections.
For instance, the menu for a lunchtime marquee party tends to be light and easy-going, focused more on sandwiches, salads and refreshing beverages. On the flip side, an evening cocktail event would call for more sophisticated and sumptuous offerings like mini sliders, classy canapés, and delicious cocktails. Remember, the right catering service can take your event from good to excellent, leaving a lasting impression on your guests. So, do choose wisely!
Pathways & Parking
Considering pathways and parking should be at the top of your list when organising a marquee party. It's imperative that your guests can easily locate your venue and have somewhere safe and convenient to leave their vehicles. This contributes to a trouble-free operation of your event and helps in creating a welcoming and stress-free atmosphere.
In scenarios where the designated parking area is a significant distance from the marquee, it would be considerate to make provisions for your guests to be transported nearer to the venue. This can be as simple as setting up a shuttle service from the parking lot to the marquee site. Such an arrangement can save your guests the hassle of a long walk, particularly if they're not dressed for it or if the weather isn't favourable.
Besides, it is also essential that you acquaint yourself with parking regulations in the locality where your marquee is set up. The last thing you'd want is for your guests' vehicles to be towed away midway through the celebrations because of a parking violation. Where possible, try to secure a space where parking is permitted without restrictions.
Clear communication is always helpful. In this case, providing more explicit signage can assist in guiding your guests to the right place. Make sure that the parking signs are large and readable even from a distance, and that they are strategically placed to be easily seen by incoming guests.
Planning a marquee party requires meticulous attention to detail, and making sure that the venue and parking are well-thought-out can go a long way to ensure your event is memorable and enjoyable. Deliberate decisions and careful planning in these aspects will contribute significantly to an event that your guests will remember with fondness for years to come. So, tick off these points from your list, watch your event take off smoothly and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Are you looking for traditional marquees for parties in Shropshire? We are Staffordshire Marquees, a marquee hire company offering various options to elevate your events. With a commitment to excellence, our marquees are designed and maintained, suitable for weddings, corporate events, and various special occasions.
