n my years of experience in the marquee hire business, I’ve set up marquees over swimming pools, sunken gardens, flowerbeds, ponds, rockeries, trees, statues—basically, if it’s in a garden, we’ve probably covered it. The end result can be visually stunning, but the process of working around these obstacles can be challenging. Here are a few things to keep in mind when incorporating parts of a garden into a marquee:
Key Considerations:
- Allow Extra Time for Setup
Working around trees, ponds, or other garden features takes longer, so always plan for more time when setting up the marquee. - Offer to Trim Trees
If a tree needs trimming to fit inside the marquee, offer to do this during setup. This ensures only the minimum amount is cut, preventing any unnecessary trimming that could upset your client (trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way!). - Cover Pools and Ponds Completely
Ensure that any pools or ponds are fully covered by one marquee, with enough space to walk around them safely. - Incorporating Hedges and Walls
Hedges and walls can be partially incorporated into the marquee, but this might mean cutting a wall panel to fit around them. Keep any old or marked side panels on hand for these situations, or reach out to us—we often have marked walls available at a discount. - Plan Ahead or Ask for Advice
If you’re unsure how to position the marquee around obstacles, it’s best to plan on-site. If you’re still stuck, take some photos and email them to us for advice—we’re happy to guide you on the best approach. - Incorporate Existing Plants as Features
People often spend a lot of money hiring small trees or plants to decorate marquees, but incorporating existing plants, especially with fairy lights, can add a stunning natural feature. This can be a great selling point to offer your clients. - Adjust Capacity for Obstacles
Keep in mind that incorporating trees, statues, or other garden elements into the marquee will reduce the available floor space. Make sure to adjust the guest capacity accordingly.
Best Practices for Erecting Over Obstacles
When setting up a marquee over an obstacle, the best approach is to partially erect the structure first. For example, if you’re putting up a 6x12m marquee and there’s a small tree at one end, start by erecting most of the marquee—say 6x10m—leaving the section over the tree off completely.
Here’s the critical part: Make sure the roof is attached to as much of the framework as possible before adding that final bay. Once you’re ready to finish, with tall steps in place, simply pull the PVC roof along the last bay to fit it.
What you want to avoid is trying to lift and fit the PVC roof onto a fully erected framework. It’s a tough and heavy job that’s best avoided!
Thanks for reading,
Spencer
