Marquee styes explained. Which marquee will best suit your event?

There’s a marquee out there for every event. From a flexible and versatile clearspan marquee, that can be used as a stand-alone structure, configured as long-run or divided into separate spaces with internal partitioning. Compact pagodas are great for small gatherings, trade stands, catering outlets and information points. For larger events, a vast Showspan structure offers a stunning option to accommodate thousands of guests. If you need a luxury Champagne bar with bespoke branding, flooring and a VIP vibe, the Ultimate Pagoda will give your guests an exclusive space that oozes class.  Zeroing in on the right marquee style for your event starts with getting clear on a few basic facts… 

What type of event are you planning? 

Start by pinning down what your guests are going to be doing and the look and feel you want to achieve at your event. For example, your event might be a conference where people are seated in rows facing a stage, a clear view of the stage is an important factor in selecting your marquee. A graduation ceremony requires flexible circulation space for drinks receptions and photography with room for video screens within the marquee.  You may also require partitioned areas to be used as sperate robing and gowning areas. For graduations, flexibility and unobstructed space is a key requirement, a clearspan marquee will again, be a good option as these marquees don’t need internal support poles that can restrict space and sightlines. Alternatively, if it is a country fair, or small corporate party where a timeless aesthetic is an important requirement and sightlines towards a focal point aren’t a major factor, a traditional pole tent will provide a classic look and feel. 

Let’s take a look at three marquees you can hire, what they offer and why they might be right for your next event… 

1. Clearspan marquees 

Clearspan marquees are a versatile, cost-effective option with a contemporary feel. They can host thousands of guests for anything from a graduation to a high-end corporate event, working as a fresh, modern blank canvas for whatever you want to create. If you want to truly elevate the look and feel of your event, you can turn a standard clearspan marquee into a wow-factor space by using clear PVC roof and gable panels combined with glazed window panels. As the name suggests, they don’t require support poles giving a clear, flexible internal space to work with and a greater capacity compared to pole tents. This style is best suited for unusual settings, country parks and courtyards to bring natural light and breathtaking views into the structure.  Imagine dining under the stars or hosting clients with a breathtaking backdrop.   

2. Showspan marquees 

Showspan marquees are traditional tents, they are ideally suited for the use at shows, as the name suggests and festivals. While a “traditional style” is subjective, they are generally used by event organisers where a more classic style is required at scale. The Showspan marquee is capable of covering vast areas and bringing an elegant, classic feel to your event. With their taut roof profile, Showspan tents provide a striking, look while offering reliable, all-weather protection. We’ve seen them work well for larger corporate parties and classic speech days in the private education sector.   

3. Traditional pole tents 

Traditional pole tents offer event organisers a traditional and timeless look and feel due to their iconic high peaks and sweeping lines. This style of marquee is supported by central poles and tensioned guy ropes to create an airy space, perfect for weddings, smaller boutique festivals and premium outdoor events. The timeless aesthetic combined with flexible layouts makes a traditional pole tent a strong choice for visually impressive settings. 

4. Pagodas 

Our pagodas are a perfect addition to your main event structures, creating great bar, catering or retail spaces, small trade stands or breakout rooms for larger event spaces. Pagoda marquees can be installed as standalone structures or linked together. They can be used to create visually striking entrances, breakout spaces or hospitality areas. Combining practicality with a premium finish, pagodas deliver a smart, professional look while remaining highly flexible for a wide range of events.  

Which pagoda style do you need? 

Compare our event pagodas and discover which one is best for your requirements.  Choose from the popular and attractive Piazza pagoda, a simple, peaked roof Garden pagoda or the stunning, Italian designed, Ultimate Pagoda. Every option gives you choice to create the perfect aesthetic for your event. With additional options available to customise the marquee, from solid walls to integrated flooring. 

Getting the aesthetics right 

When we say marquees are a blank canvas, we really mean it. While permanent, built venues have fixed features, setups and often more than a few restrictions, when you hire a marquee you can create exactly the space you need, your way. Whether you want a slick, branded look, a glamorous party backdrop or something altogether more rustic, it’s all possible and we can guide you through it, with expert recommendations on complete event fit outs, including:

- Creative use of branding 

- Beautiful marquee linings 

- Bespoke lighting features 

- Light structures and selfie stations 

- Furniture to match the event’s mood 

- Accessories and soft furnishings 

- Matching chair coverings, tablecloths and staff uniforms 

Capacity, design and visualisation 

It’s not always easy to plan the space you need and visualise the look of your marquee before its been built. We have a solution to both of these common problems faced by event planners.  Firstly, we know it can feel daunting to work out a marquee size for your event, and that’s what our free, interactive marquee configurator is all about. We’ve developed it using our size and spacing guidelines, based on the hundreds of events we’re part of every year. It’s here to help you fast forward the process and get a better understanding of what size structure is right for you, in seconds. 

Secondly, how will guests interact with the marquee, will there be any bottlenecks and is the bar big enough? To bring your event to life, our 3D visuals and virtual fly-throughs will give you a clearer idea of the complete look and feel. Here at GL, our design team puts these together to help our clients step inside their event spaces, before they’re even built. It’s a great way to experience the space as your guests will, getting a feel for the environment, the way people will move through the space and, of course, the aesthetics.  This can be a significant advantage when it comes to styling the interior of your marquee to suit your event aesthetics.

The right technical spec for your event 

Hiring the right marquee isn’t all about shape, size and stye, it’s also about the ancillary options and the thought that goes into each design. Things like flooring, heating, cooling and lighting can make a huge difference to your guests’ experience, so always ask suppliers about: 

- The most appropriate flooring options 

- Suitability for different seasons and weather 

- The insulating properties of your marquee 

- How heating or cooling systems can be discreetly built in 

- How lighting options can add to your event 

Want to talk it through with our team?  

Just get in touch. We’re always happy to help you work out the details, giving you bespoke recommendations and putting together a full plan for your event and helping you to understand what you can achieve with your budget.