You may think a marquee is just a tent, but you couldn’t be more wrong! In the simplest terms, it’s a white canvas which can be easily transformed to suit any type of wedding – you have all the freedom with the decor! A tented wedding is so romantic and allows for a massive amount of freedom and creativity. Even the plainest of marquees can be transformed into something totally awe inspiring with the right decoration. If you need a little inspiration on how to make it gorgeous, the experts from The Complete Chillout Company are here to help!
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
Tent lining
Wedding tents can be fully lined to create a cosy (both in atmosphere and in temperature- the thick linings are very insulating) and unique space. It’s best to check with the marquee company whether they provide these, as they can make a lot of difference to the look and mood of the space! If the marquee company doesn’t provide these, they can be hired separately.
One of Chillout’s most popular linings is the subtle vintage-style vine and floral pattern, which creates a simple, elegant and earthy wedding reception. This style of lining combines beautifully with both elaborate and decadent furniture (see image above), or with a simpler style for a white and green theme (see image below).
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
For something more versatile, a lining in a simple cream pattern helps to enhance the ambience of the room. The example below is called Cornish Cream, and would work with any colour theme, requiring very little further decoration to the tent itself. With this type of look, the real focus can be on the reception tables.
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
If you fancy something completely different to the calm greenery, you can have the exotic and vibrant Bombay Boudoir lining, perfectly suited to weddings where the couple wants to show off their colourful and unique personalities. This is definitely THE option to get the guests into the party mood, and the rest of the decor can be kept really simple or very over-the-top – we recommend some light accents such as white, silver, gold or ivory to really set off the brilliant colour of the lining!
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
Chillout area
To avoid having to decorate the entire tent, plan for a “chillout area”, this will make excellent use of some of the space. It’s practical for the guests, who will appreciate an alternative space to sit down, chat, and relax instead of going back to their tables. For the couple, it takes away the need to decorate this part of the tent – all that’s needed is some furniture for the guests! Think couches, pillows, and a few flowers on side tables, and you’re done!
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Draping fabrics
If your marquee is completely white and lining is not an option, you can achieve great results by twisting some choice fabrics around the poles, and letting them hang alongside the top of the tent like in the image above. Make note of the ceiling – if you fancy birdcages for your centrepieces, you can economise by hanging a few from the top of the tent, instead of putting one on each table. You may also use hanging plants, or more fabric gathered at the top and hanging down in short garlands.
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Real blooms
If you don’t quite fancy draping fabrics around the marquee, then another brilliant option is foliage – real or fake. It doesn’t have to cover the whole tent – you don’t want to make it look or feel like you’re getting married in a botanical garden! By knowing your tent layout and the placement of poles you’ll be able to figure out a few strategic places for the plants and flowers – have a look at the beautiful arrangement below!
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
Light it up
Fairy lights and lanterns go a long way to create the right look. Think of contrasts – if you have dark reception furniture or chillout area furniture, contrast it with white or pastel fairy lights and lanterns or very vibrant warm colours to create a perfect balanced look. For a reception with a strong colour theme, go for lights in the lesser colours – for example, if you’re having blue with touches of ivory, go for soft white lights to compliment the ivory.
Image courtesy of The Complete Chillout Company
Whatever you choose for your marquee, be sure to ask your supplier about all the decorating options available before you book – this will give you many more ideas and inspiration!
The Complete Chillout Company are a unique provider of decor, styling, and marquee linings for weddings and other events. From their showroom in East Sussex they provide everything from floors to chairs to table ornaments, UK wide – the perfect choice for all couples looking to express their individuality.
