Annie and Sam’s Surrey marquee wedding was a relaxed, stylish celebration at the family home, combining an Italian-style marquee, live food stations, and a seriously good jazz club after-party, rain and all.
The forecast for this Surrey marquee wedding was wind and rain. The couple shrugged, put on their wellies and got on with having a brilliant day.
They were married at their family home in Surrey, England, with an Italian-style marquee in the garden, a private chef, live food stations and a second marquee turned into a speakeasy jazz club for the late-night party. If you're wondering what a wedding at home can look like, this is a good place to start.
The Italian Style Marquee
We wanted the marquee to feel like a long Italian lunch that drifts into the evening. Foliage garlands ran from the king poles across the ceiling, and the poles themselves were dressed as full, leafy trees. Marquee poles are usually the bit everyone tries to hide. Here, they became the centrepiece.
With rain drumming on the roof, it felt more like a cosy courtyard than a tent, and nobody seemed to mind the weather at all.
The Wedding Food
The couple's private chef created an Italian-inspired menu, and the best part was that guests got to watch some of it being made. Canapés came with a Parma ham carving, and dessert was a millefoglie put together live in front of everyone. People wandered over with a drink in hand and stayed for a chat, which is exactly what you want from the first hour of a wedding.
The second marquee
Later on, the party moved to a second marquee in the grounds, which we'd turned into a speakeasy-style jazz club. Low lighting, good music and a completely different mood from the first marquee. It felt like a second party rather than the tail end of the first, and guests were still going late into the night.
Having two spaces is one of the joys of celebrating at home, because you can give the day a proper change of scene.
Why a wedding planner matters for a marquee wedding at home
A venue comes with a kitchen, loos, power, parking and a plan B for the rain. A garden comes with grass. Everything else has to be brought in, and it all needs to work together.
A planner looks after the things most couples don't know to ask about:
Groundwork and flooring, especially on a sloping or soggy lawn
Power, generators, lighting and heating
Toilets, catering facilities and supplier access
Licensing, neighbours and any local council requirements
A wet-weather plan that's decided well before it's needed
A realistic budget, because marquee weddings have costs that venue weddings don't
I also bring a trusted team of suppliers who know how to work in a temporary structure. On the day, I'm the person everyone asks the questions, so the couple and their families can enjoy themselves. When it's blowing a gale outside, that matters a lot. A very good decision.
Questions I'm often asked about marquee weddings
How much does a marquee wedding at home cost in Surrey?
It depends on guest numbers, marquee size, flooring, power, catering and styling. The best starting point is a proper budget conversation early on, before any suppliers are booked. I recommend starting with a minimum of £75,000 for a 80 -100 person wedding.
Can you legally marry at home in England?
Usually the legal ceremony needs to take place at a licensed venue, local church or register office, and many couples have that separately, then celebrate at home. Rules can vary, so it's worth checking with your local register office early on.
Is a marquee wedding a good idea if it rains?
Absolutely. With proper flooring, heating, covered walkways and a plan B, guests stay comfortable and dry, and a marquee can feel wonderfully cosy in bad weather. This wedding is proof.
How far ahead should we start planning?
Ideally 12 to 18 months before the date. Good marquee companies, chefs and photographers book up early, especially for summer weekends
Thinking about a marquee wedding in Surrey?
I plan marquee weddings at home across Surrey and the surrounding counties. If you have a garden and a dream, do get in touch and tell me about it.
Suppliers
| Photographer Gemma Sandell | Florist Sage and Co Floral Design
