Traditional Marquees

Traditional Marquees
Traditional Canvas Marquees

Traditional marquees (also called "pole tents") are becoming increasing less popular with marquee hirers in the UK. The traditional canvas marquee is rapidly being phased out in favour of more modern aluminium frame marquees. There are still a small number of marquee companies using traditional tents for weddings and shows.

Traditional Marquee

Traditional marquees smaller than thirty feet wide (<=9M) are often "push up" and larger marquees forty feet wide and above (=>12M) are more usually "pull up" due to the ease of erecting these heavy structures. See our article on erecting a traditional marquee. The photo above shows a 40 foot wide "pull up" marquee for a classic wedding reception.

All traditional marquees are more labour intensive than clear span marquees (aluminium frame tents). Time has to be spent measuring and marking out the site as preparation is essential to ensure the structure is erected neatly and squarely.

Traditional marquee with no lining

Traditional marquee with pleated lining

The above photo (left) shows a traditional marquee in it raw state with no linings. This tent only has pole wraps (material wrapped around the main centre poles) and basic coconut matting flooring. The photo above (right) shows a traditional marquee interior with pleated ivory roof and wall linings, matching ivory swags and contrasting coloured pole wraps.

Circular marquee