A Marquee is a Great Idea for Avoiding Outdoor Party Catastrophe

Outdoor weddings, parties, dinners, barbecues, and other social gatherings are awesome, but there are certain risks that come with them. For example, just a short summer rain is enough to throw your party into complete chaos and wreak havoc on your setup, sensitive equipment, and your guests.

However, there is a simple and practical way to prepare for such scenarios and save your party, unless, of course, nature decides to unleash all of its wrath. I am talking about a full-on natural disaster, in which case you are pretty much screwed and the party will be the least of your concerns. Otherwise, setting up a marquee is the perfect solution to make sure your party goes smooth despite the weather conditions.

The marquee is practically a huge waterproof enclosure that can accommodate an entire party. It is portable, easy to set up, and it is composed from a solid steel frame and waterproof panels that provide shelter from wind, rain, and sun. Marquees come in various shapes, sizes and materials. The bigger and more elaborate models that require a whole team to set up, are usually up for renting. However, you can buy marquee models for domestic use that are easy to set up, can accommodate enough people, and they are made from durable materials which means you can use them for many years to come. Before you buy marquee, bare in mind there the following things you need to consider in order to make the right choice and get the most for your money.

Obviously the materials play an important role. Marquees typically come in three types of cover materials: polyethylene (PE), polyester, and vinyl. Out of the three vinyl is the most expensive, but also the most resistant to weather and the most durable. However, due to its weight it is usually used for commercial marquees. Although PE is completely waterproof, it tends tear during strong winds, but it is also very cheap and easily replaceable. Polyester is a fragile looking material, but it is surprisingly strong and durable. The high-quality polyester marquees are coated with PVC on the inside, making them completely waterproof and and it also looks nice.

The frame of the marquee is also very important. Steel tubes are always a good choice, but you need to pay attention to the diameter of the tube and the thickness of the steel in the tube. You should always buy a marquee with the diameter of the tubes at least 38mm, if you don’t want them bending and breaking in windy conditions. As far as the thickness of the steel goes, anything more than 1 mm should be just fine.

You might also want to consider steel joints for the frame for encreased durability, Velcro connections for the panels to prevent the wind blowing through the corners, maybe some sort of curtains for privacy, and so on. And also, make sure that the marquee comes from a professional manufacturer and not from some dude’s garage.

Reference: Marquees: A Heavenly Addition to Wedding Receptions