As the shadows grow longer and twilight comes, your marquee event is far from over – because when the sun does set, the evening magic truly arrives.
But you can’t expect your event to shine the same from day into night. If you want to make the evening as spectacular as the day then you’ll need to put some thought into your planning, lighting, décor and entertainment. That’s where we come in.
Whether you’re hosting a marquee wedding or a gala, a brand birthday party or an industry awards night, we’ve put together a few sure fire ways to level up the evening vibes of your marquee event.
Set the scene with lighting
While the sun does a perfect job of illuminating your sailcloth marquee during the day, when dusk comes you’ll need to perfect your lighting to truly ignite the vibes. How? Well, you’ll want to tailor the lighting both inside and outside your marquee.
Nothing says magic more than fairy lights – and when it comes to lighting the inside of your marquee event, there’s probably no better solution. Strung from the highest peaks of the marquee, these warm white lights cascade, creating a glow that, when coupled with uplighters, are sure to bring the vibes.
But when it comes to levelling up that magical evening feeling, outside lighting is just as important as inside. Festoon lights guide your guests along pathways and gathering spaces, while perimeter lights make the flow in and out of the marquee seamless. And finally, our signature flying lights following the swooping marquee roofline create a picture-perfect image.
Outside and in, it’s all about combining the right lighting to make the magic happen.
Elevate the evening atmosphere with your décor
Whether it’s day or night, the décor you choose for your marquee event has a huge impact on your atmosphere. Choosing the right décor has the potential to wow your guests by day and elevate the evening vibes when the night does come.
By choosing more neutral décor – such as trestle tables and chairs – you can move effortlessly from day into night while keeping the magic. Thanks to the adaptability of furnishings like these, you can simply switch out the daytime tablecloths and linens and usher in the night with new décor.
If it’s time to hit the dance floor but the English summer light is still too bright, blackout curtains can make all the difference in creating a true night time vibe.
If you want to keep the magic burning well into the evening, consider how easy your décor and furnishings are to move, whether they can be quickly altered to suit your vibe or whether you would want to change them at all.
Embrace the outdoors
Part of the magic of marquee hire is the connection to the outdoors it offers that other venues may not provide. A marquee event – among many other benefits – allows your guests to flow seamlessly inside and out – and embracing the outdoors is one of the keys to elevating the evening vibe.
By creating breakout zones outdoors, you invite people to enjoy the evening air. Alfresco additions such as rattan sofas can be dressed with blankets and cushions to create cosy nooks for guests to relax, and fire pits can provide focal points where people can gather and watch the dancing flames.
When it comes to planning the evening for your marquee event, the outdoors is your friend.
Food and drink that matches the moment
If you’re planning a wedding or any other marquee event, you’ll know just how important food and drink are. But whether you’re choosing a sit-down dinner or a light lunch, if you want to elevate those evening vibes you’ll want to reflect the turning of day into night in your culinary choices.
This doesn’t mean completely changing your plans – it simply means understanding the needs of your guests and what may be expected of the event. For example, if you’re hosting a black-tie affair, you may want one or two bars serving cocktails. Or if you’re hosting a birthday party and it’s been a long day, guests may expect more food, perhaps in the form of a street-food truck or pizza wagon.
The key to producing culinary magic – and elevating your evening with it – is to know your guests and know your event.
Entertainment for all
Great entertainment is what keeps the buzz of an event alive – and a marquee is no different. While you may not be expected to produce something spectacular, it’s important to offer something for everyone and to match the entertainment to the time of day.
To keep the evening vibe of your marquee event, you’ll need to align the entertainment with what guests are expecting. For example, if you’re hosting a festival-style event, your guests may anticipate a headline act on your very own Glastonbury-inspired stage, whereas if you’re hosting an intimate party, a singer-songwriter by the firepit may be perfect.
You’ll need to keep the entertainment flowing throughout the evening, in tune with the vibe of your event. But remember – the dancefloor will always create magic.
Finishing touches that make the night
Sometimes it’s the little details that take your marquee event from magical to truly unforgettable.
If you’re the bride, a change of dress for the evening can bring a new sense of occasion, while also making it easier to dance. Your high heeled guests will also be grateful for a basket of flip-flops by the dance floor to stay comfortable as the celebrations continue.
Also, don’t be afraid to include fun props – from photo-booth accessories to quirky giveaways – keep the energy high and the laughter flowing.
If you want a real wow moment, a confetti cannon for your first dance is guaranteed to create an unforgettable memory. You could also surprise your guests with a fireworks display or plan a sparkler exit to end the night on a glittering high.
Capturing the magic for your marquee event
So there you have it – five keys to levelling up the evening vibes of your marquee event. Hopefully, you can now see just how simple it is to create a truly magical evening for your guests.
Ultimately, creating the perfect transition from day to night is all about knowing what your guests want and what they’ll expect from your event. Once you understand these two things, your evening vibes are sure to hit the mark.
No marquee event should feel daunting. If you need a partner to help piece together the perfect marquee celebration, or if you have any questions or ideas, we’d love to help – just get in touch today.
