Gary
How do you find the perfect party venue for you? Ther’s certainly a lot of choice when it comes to venues. Do you host your party at home? Do you look for a brick-and-mortar venue? Or do you hire a marquee for your party venue?
If you’re planning a milestone celebration, a birthday party, anniversary, wedding reception – or even just a party for the sake of partying, there are lots of different party venue options out there, and if you’re still mulling over the choices, here are a few things to consider:
Choosing a brick-and-mortar party venue
West Horsley Place
There are lots of venues available to choose from, hotel reception rooms, village halls, stately homes, nightclubs and bars, to name but a few. However, it can be difficult to truly personalise a brick-and-mortar venue to create a truly unique look and feel.
Does personalisation matter to you?
Be aware that most venues aren’t able to offer a choice of interior décor options, and if they do, they’re likely to be limited. Tables, chairs, bars and dancefloors are likely to be set, and tableware options standardised. It will most likely be the same for decorations, lighting and other AV options too.
That said, limited options aren’t always a bad thing. Too much choice can be overwhelming and personalising a space to match your taste usually costs more money. If you’re happy to take off the shelf options, then just be sure to check that you’re happy with them before signing on the dotted line.
Choosing a venue to host a marquee party
Cowdrey House
Stately homes, hotels and other private venues often have a dedicated space for marquees. If you’d like to host your party at venue that offers a beautiful backdrop, then this can be a great option.
Not every venue has a large enough entertaining space within. Sometimes it’s the building or the gardens themselves that provide the spectacle. In these scenarios, hiring a dedicated marquee space is often a great choice.
Check the marquee site location carefully
It’s really important to see the marquee space. The drive up to the property may be incredible, but if the marquee plot is located in a distant field without views of the building or the beautiful gardens then you might want to reconsider.
Does the party venue provide power?
Does the marquee space at your chosen marquee party venue have an electrical power hook up point? If not, you’ll need to add a generator to your marquee hire requirement. A generator is an additional cost, so venues without a power point will need to factor this into their fees.
Can you choose your own marquee supplier, caterers, bar and other suppliers?
Check whether the venue allow you to choose your own suppliers. Some venues have set suppliers others allow you to choose your own.
Image courtesy of Vanilla Bean Catering
Choosing your own suppliers can be an important and fun factor when creating a unique and personalised party experience. If you want control over the type of menu, the drinks at the bar and even the entertainment, then check how flexible your venue is before booking.
It’s also worth asking whether there are any corkage charges to be applied if you use an outside alcohol supplier. If you’re not using their in-house bar services, venues often apply a charge for corkage.
Some venues will have their own marquee. Beware – marquee quality varies hugely from supplier to supplier and venue owned marquees are often lightweight, less durable, and less attractive. A marquee party venue is a great choice, but your party will only be as good as the marquee it is hosted within. If you’re planning a luxury celebration, a drafty, unlined, marquee simply isn’t going to cut it.
Your home as your party venue
Image courtesy of Addo Events
Why not party at home? After all, what more personal a party venue could you find? You’ll have no issues when it comes to sourcing suppliers, everything will be within your control. You can take a look at our supplier directory to see a wide selection of suppliers that we have worked with, trust and are happy to recommend.
What if your house isn’t quite large enough for a party?
There are a couple of options. A marquee in the grounds will give you the space that you need, plus you can highlight your home and other garden features with some up lighting to create a wonderful and personalised backdrop for your party.
How about an extension marquee?
If you’d like to host your party at home, but the space isn’t quite large enough, then consider an extension marquee. Extension marquees attach to your house, allowing access via your bifold or patio doors. They can be as big or small as you like, offering extra dining space, hosting a dancefloor or perhaps even a stage and band.
Extension marquees are a great party venue option, proving increasingly popular year on year. They offer the best of home entertaining and personalised venue space.
Looking for the perfect party venue?
Take a look at our suppliers directory, and feel free to contact us for a no obligation chat and estimate. You can speak with a member of our team by calling 01483 322070, emailing enquiries@lifestylemarquees.co.uk or by filling out our contact form.
