Wedding world has a bit of a canvas crush right now - and it's not difficult to see why. Whether it's the exotic vibe of a yurt swathed with vivid drapes and glowing lanterns, the sophistication of a classically styled marquee crowned with glistening candelabras and chandeliers or the rustic ambience of a country fete themed setting with trestle tables and colourful bunting, there's something endlessly personal and fabulously flexible about celebrating under canvas.
Wedding marquees Cornwall
Coast2Coast Marquees www.coast2coastmarquees.co.uk
The modern couple is increasingly seeking to abandon the formulaic celebration, and choosing to infuse their wedding with a potent sense of personality. As a result, the marquee has emerged as an irresistible option. From the shape to the colour scheme, the layout to the furniture, a marquee is a blank canvas on which you can paint your perfect venue. And you can really go to town if you're having a themed wedding - the options are endless.
Of course, there's another highly seductive reason to choose a marquee wedding. A marquee affords you the freedom to celebrate your wedding in the location of your choice. With miles of dramatic coastline, lush countryside and rugged moorland, Cornwall boasts an abundance of simply spectacular settings to site your marquee.
Which marquee?
There has never been so much choice and flexibility. Here's a rundown on the hottest options...
Traditional pole marquee
Picture a marquee in your mind's eye and you'll probably see a traditional pole marquee. A classic and elegant style, this synthesis of wooden poles and natural canvas makes a stirring sight upon arrival. This option affords endless opportunity to put your unique twist on the design, whether it's dazzling chandeliers or opulent drapes.
Supplied by:
Absolute Canvas
Coast2Coast Marquees
LPM Bohemia
Truro Marquees and Catering
Clearspan marquee
This is another popular marquee option, largely due to its flexibility. Comprising a framework of aluminium poles covered in white PVC, a lack of centre pole and guy ropes means a clearspan marquee can be erected on hard ground and difficult locations. It also offers unrestricted space inside and is particularly resilient to extreme weather conditions such as strong winds. Like its traditional counterpart, a clearspan marquee can be decked out according to your wishes.
Supplied by:
Absolute Canvas
Coast2Coast Marquees
Truro Marquees and Catering
Wedding marquees Cornwall
Geodesic dome
With a distinctive, futuristic appearance from the outside and an elegant series of vaults and arches from the inside, a series of interlinking geodesic domes makes for an inventive twist on the marquee theme. Geo-Marquees offers various sizes of geodesic domes.
Mongolian yurt
As beautiful as it is practical, a domed Mongolian yurt comprises a wooden trellis frame, slatted wooden ceiling and waxed cotton canvas. Available from LPM Bohemia, the striking appearance smacks of bohemian style while its versatile design allows for the gaps in the walls to be opened should it be sunny.
Tipi
The ideal choice for those who want to bring a Native American vibe to their wedding, LPM Bohemia has brought the ancient tipi design bang up to date to create a truly dramatic party setting.
Indian tent
Embrace the exoticism of India in a tent from LPM Bohemia, which is made to Rajasthani design. Capture the vibrancy of the culture with a hot fusion of colour, from brilliant fuchsia to vivid purple, and enhance the vibe with a series of options, from Indian linings and antique ornamental wooden doorways to wooden or pictorial panelling.
Indoor marquee
An increasing number of couples are choosing to set up a marquee interior within the setting of an established venue. The swags and drapes of a marquee undoubtedly bring a flourish of elegance to any venue, and this way you can customise the function room to your tastes or theme. The Carnmarth Hotel and Hotel Victoria in Newquay are amongst the venues now offering this option.
Wedding marquees Cornwall
Truro Marquees and Catering www.truro-marquees.co.uk
Photo: Nick Reader
THE BASICS
There's more to it than canvas. A successful marquee wedding lies in the detail. Let these pointers help you on your way...
Location, location, location
You may opt for a marquee wedding in the grounds of an established venue. Or perhaps you have your heart set on a location with panoramic views or even a place with sentimental attachment. Although the ideal plot will have level ground and easy access for vehicles, if you've fallen for a setting that falls short of these requirements, contact a marquee company to assess its viability. If you have no idea where you would like to site your marquee, again, speak to a marquee company who will provide you with food for thought.
Pick your palette
A marquee affords you the opportunity to go crazy with colour. Swags and decor can be matched to your colour scheme, whether it's chic black and white or a vibrant medley of royal blue and canary yellow. The seasons comprise a further source of colour inspiration: think pastel shades for spring, a carnival of bright colours for summer, brown and gold for autumn and silver and white for winter.
Floors for thought
Don't underestimate the important of the right flooring. While matting is the cheapest option, wooden flooring is particularly effective for difficult surfaces and gives a sense of walking into a building. Alternatively, carpeting is available in a rainbow of shades to coordinate with your colour scheme. It is worth considering wooden decking for the exterior of your marquee, thereby extending the celebration space and allowing your guests to spill outside without the hazards of stilettos sinking into soil.
Right light
Effective lighting is crucial for evoking ambience. Candelabras make a dramatic statement of grandeur, while tea lights in glasses or painted jam jars have a magical and equally atmospheric effect. Perhaps opt for a marquee ceiling of starry lights and hang fairy lights and lanterns from surrounding trees to cast a romantic spell at dusk.
The question of cost
If you think a marquee is only for those with limitless funds, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. The cost depends on a number of factors, such as interior choices, caterers and whether the location will necessitate hiring toilets. If you're pondering the question of affordability, get in touch with a marquee company who will suggest a canvas solution within your budget.
Not only does the country style theme happen to be super hip at the moment, it's a great example of a cost-slashing option. Choose a traditional marquee with green matting, wooden chairs and fairy lights rather than linings, drapes and lavish decor and you have yourself a budget marquee wedding with a rustic and laidback atmosphere.
THE THEME
Let these ideas kick start a personalised and truly memorable marquee wedding...
Wedding marquees Cornwall
Coast2Coast Marquees www.coast2coastmarquees.co.uk
Fete
Take the marquee back to its roots and hit the retro pulse simultaneously with a fete themed wedding. Keep your guests entertained with games such as hoopla, roll a coin and hook a duck. Decorate the marquee with coloured decor and bunting embellished with vintage style floral motifs, polka dots and stripes. Set up a traditional cake stall with fairy cakes and Victoria sponges, which can be washed down with homemade lemonade.
Cornish
You could go in a few directions with this one. Opt for a Cornish Blue colour scheme and bring a mellow seaside ambience to your celebration, the muted blues and creams signifying the sea and sand of Cornwall. Adorn your marquee with The Big Beautiful Bunting Company's tailor made Cornish Blue bunting and decorative arrangements of driftwood, netting and lobsterpots. Adorn tabletops with engraved pebbles for place settings and centrepieces filled with sand, pebbles and shells. Alternatively, choose a black and white colour scheme - an achingly hip combo which represents the Cornish flag of St Piran. Hang black and white swags and drapes, mirrored in crisp white table arrangements with chic black accents. For a flourish of zesty colour, let the colours of Cornish tartan inspire your palette. Colour schemes aside, Cornish cream teas and local tipples, from wines and juices to ales and ciders, are a must.
Circus
The perfect theme to infuse your wedding with colour and top-notch entertainment, amuse your guests with face painters, clowns, stilt walkers, dancers, magicians and fire-eaters. Organise a series of snack stands with cones of popcorn and burgers and hotdogs. For a real festival atmosphere, erect a series of bespoke flags, waves and streamers from Big Wave Flags, which can be coordinated to your colour scheme. Team with coloured up lighters for an amazing night-time effect.
Fairground
Indulge your inner child with a fairground theme. Adorn the exteriors and interiors of the marquee with colourful bunting and hire a bouncy castle, surf simulator and sumo suits. If your budget will stretch, hire a hoopla game, Victorian carousel or helter skelter. Opt for a tasty assortment of toffee apples, candyfloss, retro sweets, chunky chips, gourmet kebabs and roasted vegetables served on skewers. For a vintage fairground feel, hire a 1920s' style ice cream trike from The Sweet Indulgence Company and treat your guests to Roskilly's ice cream in a delicious choice of flavours from hokey pokey to apple crumble, as well as sorbets and yoghurt ices.
Moroccan
The colour, cuisines and rich culture of Morocco makes it a rich source of styling inspiration. Infuse your marquee with the ambience of a luxury Bedouin tent with authentic lanterns and drapes, and create comfortable lounging areas by scattering big cushions on vibrant rugs. Add some ornate baroque silverware and serve a feast of tagines, couscous and mint tea. You could even hire belly dancers to kick-start the party.
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
A fabulous flourish of greenery is a colourful way to decorate your marquee entrance. Temporary Topiary supplies a variety of foliage from bay trees, spiral topiary and waxy Cornish palms to complement your colour scheme and spruce up your canvas.
Make your bar a focal point. Deck out the space as a lounge area with sofas or comfy floor cushions. You might even opt for a cocktail bar and hire a mixologist to up the entertainment factor. Serve cocktails to complement your colour scheme or wedding theme.
Take the marquee obsession one step further and spend your wedding night under canvas. Those with an aversion to camping need not fear, for LPM Bohemia offers decadent accommodation in the form of a Mongolian yurt. Complete with a comfy bed swathed in drapes, it makes a warm, romantic and truly distinctive setting to commence married life.
THE MARQUEE DIRECTORY
Absolute Canvas 01326 375747 www.absolutecanvas.co.uk
Arabian Tents 078941 370241 www.arabiantents.com
Big Beautiful Bunting Company 01326 281390 www.bigbeautifulbunting.co.uk
Big Wave Flags 01209 891819 www.bigwaveflags.co.uk
Candy Floss Crazy 07973 429663 www.candyflosscrazy.com
Carnmarth Hotel 01637 872519 www.carnmarth.com
Coast2Coast Marquees 01872 580153 www.coast2coastmarquees.co.uk
Geo-Marquees 01288 356077 www.geo-marquees.co.uk
Hotel Victoria 01637 872255 www.hotel-victoria.co.uk
The Sweet Indulgence Company 01726 823450 www.sweetindulgencecompany.co.uk
Temporary Topiary 01872 571542 www.temporarytopiary.co.uk
Truro Marquees and Catering 01872 278593 www.truro-marquees.co.uk
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright WED Magazine 2010
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