The great “venue vs marquee” debate is not something that we want to get into right now, but it is always a consideration for our clients. If we get the choice, it’s a temporary structure every time, the flexibility of these structures being the biggest benefit, letting our creativity truly run wild.
For anyone planning a marquee party, understanding exactly what’s out there makes the process much simpler. When we come to a briefing meeting and start talking about stretch tents, or clear spans, or even clear roofed clear spans, what do we mean? Read on to find out!
Clearspans
These are what most people refer to when they talk of “marquees”, and if you look back at our blog post here we tell you why you shouldn’t be put off by the thought of a big ugly marquee in your garden! Clearspans are the ultimate marquee party space, they feel totally solid, and it’s hard to believe when inside that we’ve built all of this in your back garden! They come in huge range of sizes, building up generally in bays of 3 or 5m meaning we can customise the space completely. Clearspans give us the freedom to drape, hang lighting, mirrorballs and even chandeliers, allowing a level of personalisation we struggle with in other structures and venues. Clearspans are also easy to heat in the winter making them a year round party option, like this freezing January 18th birthday and this New Years Eve party.
Clear roofed clearspans
The offshoot of the classic clearspan that we’ve seen really gain in popularity this year. We know why, they give you the solidness of a clearspan with all the hanging points and draping ability, but without the big white roof. However in the summer, these become greenhouses, especially hard for the crew rigging up ladders! They do however look beautiful, and with the right draping like this theatrical party we did this summer they can be very manageable spaces! Sometimes we even do a clearspan with half a clear roof, half a star cloth roof, to really give a unique marquee party feel, check out this garage fuelled 40th and this cool club 50th for inspiration.
Stretch tents
We use these structures a lot, they’re very popular and for good reason! They’re super flexible, and come in a massive range of sizes, meaning it’s more than likely we’ll be able to fit something in your garden. As they don’t have the box shape relied on by a clearspan, we can use the Stretch tents like “lids” popping them over smaller or oddly shaped gardens like we did with this South American party and this joyful joint 60th. They’re also a great way to keep the party feeling more relaxed and natural, perfect for garden parties, however what we gain in aesthetics, we loose in hanging points. Lighting becomes that bit more tricky, and we might struggle with a chandelier, although we managed it at this sparkly party and this beautiful relaxed back garden wedding! We can even add walls to these tents like we did for this black and gold Gatsby party, not a January solution, but adds a little extra protection from April showers or autumn cold snaps!
Big tops
We all know what a big top looks like. They’re fun, a conversation starter and bring joy just by looking at their white and red candy striped exterior! Not just for circuses, you could have a fantastic party in these, corporate away days or even a super unique wedding. They do have some drawbacks, again revolving around hanging points but if this is what you want, nothing else will do!
Tipis
Always a festival favourite, the tipi is a truly unique and fun structure. They’re great in the summer heat, allowing the hot air to escape out the vents, and you can even have all the sides open like we did for the bar tent at this hot corporate party in 2025. They’re also super cosy in the winter, and we can even pop a firepit in the middle, very alpine! Styling wise, they don’t need much doing to them, they are their own style! However hanging lighting is even harder than in a stretch tent, but if you look at this 21st festival style party, or this Milestone 50th, we think you’ll agree that they make up for any drawbacks with their wow factor!
Sail tents
Think of these as a more traditional type clearspan, a bit vintage, very pretty. With elegant, pointed roofs, these are the sort of tent you’d imagine seeing at old fashioned country fairs. They’re a great visual and come in a range of sizes, great for weddings, or big sit down dinners, especially during the summer. They’re also not the easiest tent to hang things in, but the vast airy space is something special.
Rope and post tents
Another traditional looking structure, but this time with more of an Arabian/ Indian twist. Used beautifully here for this Sussex garden wedding in 2025, they’re cool and airy structures, great in the heat, but with that rustic charm that works so well in gardens.
Glass marquees
For a truly show stopping marquee party a glass clearspan is the pinnacle of luxury in your own back garden. These structures are like giant green houses, the wrought iron curling metal work looking like a Kew Gardens hot house and the huge glass panels providing a solidity you’d be hard pressed to find outside of a brick and mortar venue. They give you all the hanging points of a clearspan, and allow that level of personalisation, but without any of the potential negatives of what the outside of the structure looks like. But this level of luxury comes at a high price point, the one drawback of this lovely structure.
Hopefully we’ve convinced you here that temporary structures are so much more than just marquees. There really is a temporary structure for every style and budget, one that makes the most of the space you have available, whilst allowing us creative freedom to add that dash of Mirage magic that brings our parties to life!
Get in contact today to start planning your next landmark party, in style!
