Newbie Seeking Help! Venue vs. Marquee

Comparing the catering costs isn't really as relevant as you might think. Marquee weddings are expensive - especially for the size of marquee you will require. It will be much cheaper to have a reception in a hotel than in a hired marquee.

You can find hotels that have permanent marquees, I even photographed a wedding at a village pub in Yorkshire that has one! If you can find a venue with a permanent marquee then that will be no more than normal. The big costs come when you book a one-off marquee erection on a site of your choice.

We had a look at a venue that hosted wedding inside and out and found the was around £1000 difference between hiring the land and venue but then we found after paying for the marquee, bar, electric etc it really wasn't much difference. I think they are lovely in the summer and stunning when the sides are all open and your surrounded by lovely grounds but I think you can get better deals on actual venue hire without the addition of a marquee but that has lovely gardens to wander through so you have the best of both

Just to throw another option into the mix....someone on here last year hired a village hall for the weekend and had it lined with a full marquee lining: it looked absolutely amazing, cost a fraction of hiring a marquee, enabled them to have a competely blank canvas and to use their choice of external caterer/DIY. Just thought it might be one to consider if you have an appropriate hall near your village church.