What’s the average cost of Marquee Hire?

What is a Marquee?

A marquee is a large canvas structure that is used as an outdoor event space, especially for functions such as wedding receptions. Marquees come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on your requirements and tend to have clear or opaque sides. Rather than just being a large tent, the inside of a marquee is intricately designed. It may feature everything from a dance floor to formal seating depending on the event type. 

What’s the average cost of Marquee Hire? 

There’s no fixed fee when it comes to marquee hire as they come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes! The true cost will depend on the size of the marquee, whether the marquee is lined or not as well as any internal additions you require such as seating and lighting. 

Factors influencing cost: 

Before you pitch that marquee (or in this case, pay someone to do that for you!), there are several things to think about, which will also influence costs: 

• Size of the marquee 

• Location

• The number of guests

• Seating type

• Flooring

• Lighting

• Heating

• Toilets

• Internal decorations 

Size of the Marquee 

Larger marquees require more time and labour to transport to the venue and install, meaning you’ll pay more to rent one. That being said if you are on a budget, the good news is that the smaller marquees start at a reasonable $350. Plus, there’s always the option of ditching the formal seating which will allow for more guests to fit into a smaller marquee size.

On the other end of the scale, larger marquees can cost anywhere up to $4,000 to hire. This may not include all the fixtures and fittings. However, most marquee hire companies do offer packages that make the cost much more affordable. 

Remember that the cost for a lined marquee will be more than an unlined marquee. The more features you add, the more expensive the cost will be.

Location

The number of guests

The number of guests you’ll have at your event will determine the size of the marquee you hire, which is why RSVPs come in so handy! As a general guide, marquees can host between 24 and 200 guests depending on the seating type. A small 6m x 3m marquee would hold 20 guests, and a 10m x 21m marquee would hold 280 guests. There is around $2,300 difference from the smallest to the largest marquees most companies offer, which will all depend on how many guests need to fit in it. 

Seating type

The number of guests isn’t the be-all and end-all. That’s because it also depends whether you will be using round tables to seat your guests or if you plan on having a standing buffet instead. 

If you are having a standing buffet, you’ll be able to fit more guests into the marquee, versus formal seating with round tables. The type of event you are hosting will help you determine which would be more appropriate. 

Remember that hiring tables and chairs will come at an additional cost. These average at about $22 per item, not including any chair covers or sashes. 

Flooring

You may not always need to hire flooring for your marquee, especially for more casual events. However for formal occasions or if you require a dancefloor, then it’s an additional expense to keep in mind. After all, the newlyweds can’t have their first dance on a muddy patch of grass! 

Marquee flooring can include coir matting, carpet with a plastic underlay, a plastic hard floor or a dance floor. The cost will of course depend on the overall size of your marquee and the type of flooring you choose. Marquee flooring tends to cost around $10 to $20 per sqm on average. 

Lighting

If you intend on using your marquee at night then you’ll also need to invest in some lighting, which usually can be done as part of the hire package. Lighting comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on the occasion.  It can also be a nice touch to add lighting above the dancefloor too, or even opt for special effect lighting. On average, lighting will cost between $40 and $150.

Heating

Depending on where you are in Australia, having heating in your marquee may come in very handy for keeping guests warm and happy! Heaters cost around $40 for an electric fan or up to $120 for a fuel-powered heater. If you are having the event at home, it’s also good to keep in mind the cost of running your heaters too. 

Toilets

Ensuring that your event is well equipped with toilets for your guests is one of the most important things to remember. Portable toilets cost around $120 to hire, though it may work out cheaper to hire several as part of a package deal. It’s advisable to have as many toilets as you can afford/have room for, especially if the event is both remote and large. 

Internal decorations

The finishing touches can make all the difference to your marquee. For example; table covers, flowers, drapes, balloons, fairy lights, etc. The cost of these will depend on what the item is and how much you require. If you’re on a budget, why not try DIY decorating a go? You’d be surprised at what your inner creative can produce when you let it!

Getting Marquee hire - is it worth the cost? 

If you are planning a special occasion, a marquee can act as an extension of a building or provide shelter if the event will be held outdoors. It’ll ensure that your guests are protected and comfortable come rain or shine! Marquees also offer a level of intimacy that can sometimes be lost in large buildings. Everything will be constructed and taken care of for you adding that professional touch to your event. 

Add a touch of professionalism and practicality to your event when hiring a marquee. Check out Marquee Hire near you with Bark. Whether your event is a family celebration, a festival or even a corporate meeting, we’ll connect you with the best local professionals for the job.