Say "I Do" Under Open Skies: The Rise of the Outdoor Wedding
There is something undeniably magical about celebrating your big day surrounded by natural beauty, open skies, and the freedom to design every detail from scratch. It is no surprise, then, that outdoor weddings and marquee weddings have seen a remarkable surge in popularity over recent years, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2026.
Whether you are dreaming of a garden wedding in the Cotswolds, a festival-style celebration in Somerset, or an intimate gathering on private land near Bristol, a marquee wedding gives you the flexibility to bring your vision to life. At Prickly Pear Stretch Tents, we have helped countless couples create unforgettable outdoor wedding receptions using our bespoke, modular stretch tents, and we are passionate about making the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
In this guide, we will explore exactly why marquee weddings are growing in popularity, the benefits of choosing an outdoor wedding, and how to get started with planning yours.
What Is a Marquee Wedding?
A marquee wedding is simply a wedding celebration held within a temporary structure, such as a traditional pole marquee, frame marquee, tipi, or stretch tent, rather than in a fixed indoor venue. The marquee is typically erected on private land, in a garden, on a farm, in a field, or at an outdoor wedding venue, and serves as the main space for the wedding reception, dinner, dancing, and celebrations.
What sets a marquee wedding apart from a traditional venue wedding is the blank canvas it provides. There are no predetermined colour schemes, fixed layouts, or restrictions on décor. Instead, you have complete creative control over the look, feel, and flow of your celebration. This is one of the key reasons so many couples are now choosing marquee weddings over conventional function rooms and hotel ballrooms.
Why Marquee Weddings Are Becoming More Popular
A Shift Towards Personalisation
One of the biggest wedding trends in 2026 is the desire for deeply personal celebrations. Couples today want their wedding to reflect who they are as a pair, and a marquee wedding allows for that level of customisation in a way that most traditional venues simply cannot match. From choosing your own suppliers, caterers, and entertainers to designing the layout and lighting scheme, every element is in your hands.
At Prickly Pear, we see this first-hand. Our modular stretch tents can be configured in a wide range of shapes and sizes, meaning your tent is designed around your wedding rather than the other way around. Whether you want a single open-plan space for dancing and dining, or multiple connected areas for different parts of your celebration, we can make it happen.
The Appeal of the Great Outdoors
There is a growing desire among couples to step away from four walls and embrace the beauty of the natural world. Outdoor weddings offer scenic views, natural backdrops, and a relaxed atmosphere that is difficult to replicate indoors. Whether your backdrop is rolling hills, a coastal setting, or a picturesque country garden, the outdoor environment adds a sense of wonder and romance that guests remember long after the day is over.
The South West of England is particularly well suited to outdoor weddings. From the stunning landscapes of Devon and Cornwall to the rolling countryside of Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, couples are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor wedding venues. We cover all of these areas and beyond, helping couples throughout Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, and the wider South West to bring their outdoor wedding dreams to life.
Freedom to Choose Your Location
Unlike traditional wedding venues that lock you into a single location, a marquee wedding gives you the freedom to choose exactly where you celebrate. You could set up in your parents’ garden, on a friend’s farm, in a rented field, or at a licensed outdoor venue. This flexibility means your wedding can take place in a location that holds personal meaning, making the day even more special.
It is worth noting that if you wish for your ceremony to take place outdoors, the venue will need to meet certain legal requirements. According to the UK Government’s guidance on outdoor civil ceremonies, approved premises can now conduct ceremonies in outdoor areas within the boundary of their land, including within semi-permanent structures such as marquees. Many couples choose to hold their legal ceremony at a licensed venue or registry office and then host their reception and celebrations under a marquee at a separate location.
The Benefits of Choosing a Marquee Wedding
A True Blank Canvas
One of the most exciting aspects of a marquee wedding is the creative freedom it offers. Without the constraints of a fixed venue, you can design every inch of the space to suit your personal style. Whether your vision is rustic and relaxed, elegant and refined, or fun and festival-inspired, the blank canvas of a marquee allows you to create exactly the atmosphere you want.
Many of our couples at Prickly Pear are drawn to the alternative, festival vibe that our stretch tents create. Paired with festoon lighting, fire pits, rustic wooden bars, and lawn games, our tents set the scene for a celebration that feels relaxed, memorable, and entirely unique. As one of our happy couples shared, “We hired Prickly Pear for our wedding in September. Absolutely stunning tent, we wanted a festival vibe and it fit perfectly! It was even better than we could have imagined.”
Flexible Guest Capacity and Layouts
Marquee weddings offer tremendous flexibility when it comes to guest numbers and layout. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering of 30 or a large celebration of several hundred, a marquee can be sized to match. At Prickly Pear, we offer a range of tent configurations to cater to weddings of all shapes and sizes, from cosy, intimate setups to large-scale events with multiple connected tents and additional facilities.
This flexibility also extends to the layout within the tent. You are not restricted to the fixed floor plan of a hotel or function room. Instead, you can arrange your seating, dance floor, bar area, and catering space exactly how you wish, creating a natural flow that suits how you want your guests to experience the day.
Weather Protection Without Compromising on Style
One of the most common concerns about outdoor weddings in the UK is the unpredictable British weather. This is where a quality marquee or stretch tent truly shines. A well-designed tent provides shelter from rain, wind, and even cooler temperatures, without sacrificing the indoor-outdoor feel that makes outdoor weddings so appealing.
Our stretch tents at Prickly Pear are available all year round, with additional weather-proofing options as required. We also offer optional accessories including heating, so you and your guests can stay comfortable regardless of the forecast. Our expert design team will even visit your site in advance to adapt the setup to the landscape and conditions, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
Privacy and Exclusive Use
When you hire a marquee for your wedding, you are not sharing the space with other events or hotel guests. You have exclusive use of the entire area for the duration of your celebration. This sense of privacy is a significant draw for many couples, allowing you and your guests to relax, let loose, and enjoy the day without worrying about noise restrictions or shared facilities.
What You Need for a Marquee Wedding Setup
Planning a marquee wedding involves a little more logistical thinking than booking a traditional venue, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Beyond the marquee or stretch tent itself, there are several essentials to consider:
Flooring is important, particularly on grass or uneven terrain, to create a stable and comfortable surface for your guests. Lighting plays a huge role in setting the atmosphere, and options like festoon lights, fairy lights, and uplighting can transform a stretch tent into something truly magical. Heating is a smart addition for weddings outside the summer months, ensuring your guests remain comfortable well into the evening.
You will also want to think about power supply (a generator may be needed for more remote locations), portable toilets or luxury loos, and catering arrangements. Many couples love the freedom of choosing their own street food vendors or independent caterers rather than being tied to a venue’s in-house menu.
At Prickly Pear, we offer a range of optional accessories to complement your stretch tent, including flooring, lighting, heating, furniture, rustic wooden bars, barrel bars, lawn games, and fire pits. We can also recommend local street food vendors to cater to the tastes of you and your guests.
Stretch Tents: A Modern Alternative to the Traditional Marquee
While traditional marquees have their charm, stretch tents are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for couples who want something a little different. Stretch tents are made from a flexible, waterproof fabric that can be shaped and rigged in a variety of creative ways, allowing for organic, flowing shapes that blend beautifully with the outdoor landscape.
Unlike rigid frame marquees, stretch tents can be adapted to suit uneven ground, and be configured into virtually any layout. This versatility makes them ideal for outdoor wedding venues where the terrain may not be perfectly flat or where you want to work with, rather than against, the natural features of the landscape.
Our modular stretch tents at Prickly Pear are designed to be fully customisable. You choose the size, shape, and configuration to suit your needs, and our expert design team brings it all together. Whether you are looking for a single sweeping canopy or a series of connected tents for different areas of your celebration, we will design a setup that is tailored to your specific requirements.
How to Start Planning Your Outdoor Marquee Wedding
Getting started with an outdoor or marquee wedding is easier than you might think. Here are a few steps to set you on the right path:
Choose your location. Think about what matters most to you. Do you want a wedding close to home, or are you drawn to a particular landscape or setting? Consider the accessibility of the site for your guests and for the setup team.
Set your date and guest list. This will help determine the size of tent you need and the overall logistics of the event.
Get in touch with your tent provider early. The sooner you speak to us, the sooner we can help you plan the layout, visit your site, and design a tent setup that works perfectly for your celebration.
Plan your extras. Think about lighting, flooring, heating, furniture, and catering. We can help with many of these elements, making it easier to coordinate everything in one place.
Check any permissions or requirements. If you are using private land, check whether you need any permissions from your local council. If you want a licensed outdoor ceremony, confirm that the venue is approved.
To see examples of what is possible, take a look at our gallery for inspiration from real weddings and events we have been part of.
Your Dream Wedding, Your Way
Marquee weddings and outdoor celebrations are more popular than ever, and it is easy to see why. The combination of creative freedom, stunning natural settings, flexible layouts, and the sheer joy of celebrating under open skies makes for an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests.
At Prickly Pear Stretch Tents, we are proud to have been part of so many beautiful outdoor weddings across Bristol, Bath, the Cotswolds, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and beyond. Our bespoke stretch tent hire, combined with our expert design team and range of optional accessories, means we can help bring any wedding vision to life, no matter how big, small, or unique.
As one of our clients put it, “The service was excellent. They added and subtracted elements as our requirements and ideas changed. They were excellent at problem solving and very professional throughout the whole process.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A marquee wedding is a wedding celebration held in a temporary structure, such as a stretch tent, pole marquee, or frame marquee, rather than in a fixed indoor venue. It allows couples to host their wedding reception on private land, in a garden, or at an outdoor venue, with full creative control over the design and layout.
In England and Wales, civil ceremonies can now take place outdoors at approved premises, including within semi-permanent structures such as marquees, provided the venue meets specific legal requirements set by the local authority. Many couples choose to hold their legal ceremony at a licensed venue and host the reception in a marquee at a separate location.
In most cases, temporary structures such as marquees and stretch tents do not require planning permission, but this can vary depending on the location and local authority. It is always advisable to check with your local planning officer before setting up.
A high-quality stretch tent or marquee provides excellent shelter from rain, wind, and cooler temperatures. At Prickly Pear, our tents are designed to withstand unpredictable weather, and we offer additional weather-proofing and heating options to keep you and your guests comfortable.
Common extras include flooring, lighting, heating, furniture, a dance floor, and catering facilities. We offer a range of optional accessories including flooring, lighting, heating, rustic bars, lawn games, and fire pits, so you can tailor your setup to your exact needs.
We recommend getting in touch as early as possible, especially for popular dates during the spring and summer months. Early booking allows us to visit your site, plan your layout, and ensure everything is perfectly designed for your big day.
Let Us Help You Create Something Unforgettable
If you are planning an outdoor wedding and love the idea of a bespoke stretch tent tailored to your celebration, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are in the early stages of dreaming up ideas or you have a clear vision ready to bring to life, our team is here to help every step of the way.
Get in touch with Prickly Pear Stretch Tents today to start planning your perfect marquee wedding. You can also email us at info@pricklypearstretchtents.co.uk or give us a call. We cover Bristol, Bath, the Cotswolds, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, and throughout the South West of the UK.
