How Much Does Marquee Hire Cost in Somerset

Several factors influence how much you’ll pay for marquee hire. Understanding these helps you plan your budget more accurately and avoid surprises later.

Size and Guest Numbers

The size of the marquee is the biggest cost driver. A small pole marquee for 50 guests will naturally cost less than a large traditional structure for 150 people with a dance floor and bar area.

Most hirers work on a rough guide of space per person, accounting for dining, dancing, and circulation. If you’re hosting a sit down meal, you’ll need more room than a standing reception. The more space you need, the higher the hire cost.

Type of Marquee

Traditional canvas marquees tend to sit at a different price point than modern frame structures. Pole marquees have that romantic, countryside feel with their sweeping canvas and natural wood poles, whilst pavilions and frame tents offer clean lines and flexibility for unusual sites.

Each type has its own installation requirements and hire duration, which affects the overall cost.

Hire Duration

Most marquee companies work on a three to five day hire period as standard. This allows time for installation, your event, and take down. If you need the marquee for longer, or want it up earlier for decorating, this may add to the cost.

Shorter hires aren’t always cheaper, as the installation and removal work remains the same regardless of how long you use it.

Location and Site Access

Somerset is a mix of accessible town sites and beautiful but remote rural locations. Where your event takes place makes a real difference to cost.

If your site is down a narrow country lane, across soft ground, or involves complicated access, it takes more time and sometimes specialist equipment to install safely. Sites with good vehicle access and firm, level ground are generally more straightforward and therefore less expensive to work with.

Ground Conditions and Flooring

The ground beneath your marquee matters. If you’re on a lawn in summer, you might not need flooring. But on uneven ground, or for autumn and winter events, you’ll almost certainly want a proper floor.

Flooring options range from basic rubberised matting to full wooden or carpeted systems. The more comfortable and polished you want the interior to feel, the higher the flooring cost. For winter events, insulation beneath the flooring also adds to the price but makes an enormous difference to comfort.

Heating and Lighting

Somerset weather is unpredictable, even in summer. Most events need some heating, and all need good lighting.

Basic heating might be sufficient for a mild spring evening, but a January wedding will need serious warmth. Similarly, lighting can range from simple festoon bulbs to chandeliers, uplighters, and decorative installations. These extras add up but they also transform the space.

Furniture and Fittings

Tables, chairs, table linen, crockery, glassware and servingware are often hired separately. Some marquee companies offer package deals that include furniture, whilst others price each element individually.

The style you choose also affects cost. Rustic trestle tables and simple chairs cost less than round tables with premium linens and Chiavari seating.

Typical Cost Ranges for Somerset Events

Whilst every event is different, it helps to know roughly what others are spending. These are general market ranges, not specific to any one supplier.

Small Gatherings (30 to 50 Guests)

For an intimate party or small wedding reception, you might expect to pay somewhere between £2,000 and £4,500. This typically includes a basic marquee structure, standard flooring, simple lighting, and furniture.

Medium Events (50 to 100 Guests)

Mid sized weddings and celebrations usually sit in the £4,500 to £8,000 range. This often includes a more substantial structure, better quality flooring, heating, upgraded lighting, furniture, and linings.

Large Celebrations (100 to 150 Guests)

Larger events generally range from £8,000 to £15,000 or more, depending on specification. This bracket usually includes everything needed for a full wedding reception, including dance floor, bar area, cloakroom space, quality furniture, heating, and atmospheric lighting.

Additional Costs to Consider

Beyond the marquee itself, budget for toilets (luxury loos are popular for weddings), generators if there’s no mains power, delivery and collection charges, and VAT. Some sites require insurance documentation or council permissions, which may involve small additional fees.

What’s Included and What Costs Extra

When comparing quotes, check exactly what’s included in the base price. Some companies offer all-inclusive packages whilst others price each element separately.

Standard inclusions often cover:

• Marquee structure and installation
• Basic interior linings
• Standard tables and chairs
• Delivery and collection within a certain radius
• Public liability insurance

Common extras that cost more include:

• Upgraded furniture styles
• Carpeted or wooden flooring systems
• Heating and lighting beyond basic provision
• Table linen, crockery, and glassware
• Dance floors and staging
• Decorative features such as chandeliers or festoon lighting
• Longer hire periods
• Sites requiring specialist access or groundworks

How to Keep Costs Manageable

If you’re working to a tighter budget, there are sensible ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality or safety.

Choose an accessible site with good ground conditions. This reduces installation time and the need for specialist equipment or extensive groundworks.

Be realistic about guest numbers. Hiring a marquee that’s too large for your party adds unnecessary expense. Working out what size you actually need helps avoid overspending.

Consider the season. Spring and autumn dates are often better value than peak summer months, and you’ll still have beautiful Somerset countryside as your backdrop.

Simplify where it doesn’t matter to you. If you’re happy with rustic styling, you don’t need expensive furniture and elaborate lighting. Put your budget into the areas that matter most for your event.

Ask about package deals. Some suppliers offer better value when you hire multiple elements together rather than pricing everything individually.

Somerset Specific Considerations

Somerset’s rural character and varied terrain mean some sites need more preparation than others. Soft ground after rain, sloping lawns, or historic estates with access restrictions can all affect installation complexity and therefore cost.

Many Somerset locations are utterly beautiful but genuinely remote. Finding the right spot for your marquee involves thinking about practical access as well as how it looks on the day.

If you’re hiring at a National Trust property or similar, there may be specific requirements about ground protection, installation methods, or removal timings. These can add to the overall cost but protect the site for future use.

Questions to Ask When Getting Quotes

When you approach marquee companies, ask the right questions to understand exactly what you’re paying for and avoid unexpected costs later.

What’s included in the quoted price? Make sure you know whether furniture, flooring, heating, and lighting are part of the package or priced separately.

How long is the hire period? Check when the marquee goes up and comes down, and whether you can access it early for decorating.

What happens if the ground is soft or uneven? Understand whether groundworks or additional flooring are included or whether they’ll be charged as extras.

Are delivery, installation, and collection included? Some quotes show the hire cost separately from installation charges, which can be confusing.

What insurance and safety certifications do you have? Reputable companies carry public liability insurance and work to structural safety standards. This matters, particularly in poor weather.

Why Transparent Pricing Matters

Nobody likes hidden costs or vague quotes. When you’re planning something as important as a wedding or major celebration, you need to know exactly where your money is going.

The best marquee companies provide detailed breakdowns showing each element of the hire, so you can see what you’re paying for and make informed decisions about where to spend and where to save.

White Horse Marquees works on this principle of transparency. We’d much rather give you realistic guidance upfront than surprise you with extras later.

Getting Your Quote

The only way to know exactly what your event will cost is to get a detailed quote based on your specific requirements. Every event is different, and a one size fits all price list simply doesn’t work.

When you get in touch, expect to discuss your guest numbers, the site location and access, your preferred style, and what time of year you’re planning. A site visit helps hugely, as seeing the ground conditions and access in person means a more accurate quote and fewer surprises.

Most companies offer free site surveys and quotes. It’s worth getting a few to compare, but remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Experience, safety standards, and the quality of what you’re actually getting matter enormously.

Comparing Suppliers Across the Region

Somerset has good access to marquee companies operating across the South West. It’s worth looking at suppliers in neighbouring Dorset and Hampshire as well, particularly if you’re near the county borders.

Look at each company’s gallery to get a sense of their style and quality. Photos from real installations tell you far more than generic marketing images.

Check reviews and ask for references, particularly from clients who’ve held events at similar Somerset locations to yours. Local knowledge makes a real difference when working with rural sites.

Planning Your Budget