Marquee hire gives you a structure rather than just a cover: an aluminium frame with a pitched roof, straight walls, a proper floor and a clean finish inside. It is what many couples and companies mean when they say a marquee, and it is common at wine farms, game lodges and formal venues. Tell us the date, guest numbers, the ground and the look you want, and marquee and tent companies near you send quotes for frame, clear or glass marquees directly.
Frame, clear, glass and Bedouin marquees
The word covers a few different structures, and the quotes differ a lot:
- Frame marquee: a self-supporting aluminium frame with PVC roof panels. No centre poles, so the floor plan stays open, and it can stand on paving, decking or lawn.
- Clear or glass marquee: the roof or walls are transparent, so you see the stars and the garden. Great for evening functions, but it can be hot by day and needs shading or cooling.
- Bedouin or Arabian tent: a draped, fabric-lined tent with a peaked centre and rich colours, often for traditional and cultural weddings.
- Pagoda: small square units for a bar, a registration desk or a cake table.
For a simple pole tent that costs less, see tent hire.
Flooring and sidewalls
Because a frame marquee can sit on uneven ground, flooring is a big part of the quote. Options run from a ground sheet and carpet or coir matting, to a raised and levelled platform with a wooden or white finish. A raised floor adds a day to the setup but keeps guests dry after rain and works for heels, wheelchairs and prams if there is a ramp. Sidewalls come as solid white, clear PVC, window panels, or draped fabric. Clear walls look good but trap heat on a Lowveld or KZN summer day, so ask about ventilation, fans or air conditioning units, and the power they draw.
Ceiling, lighting and power
Inside the marquee, ceiling drapes hide the roof lining and carry fairy lights, chandeliers or festoon strings. The frame can support a certain weight, so always tell the company what you plan to hang. Power is a common surprise: lighting, a DJ, a caterer's equipment and heating or cooling can add up to more than one generator can run. Ask for the total load, whether a backup is included for load shedding, and who supplies the cabling. Lighting hire and decor hire are usually booked separately.
What affects the price
Marquees cost more than peg-and-pole tents, because the frame, flooring and finishing are heavier to transport and take longer to build. The price rises with the span, the type of roof, the floor, the walls and the distance to site. Set up can take one to three days. Many venues allow only approved marquee suppliers, or have a fixed building window, so check before you book. Compare quotes line by line: size, roof, walls, floor, ramp, lighting, power and strike date. For a guide across all hire, see event hire prices.
What to include in your request
- Date, venue and ground: lawn, paving or decking
- Number of guests and seating layout
- Style: frame, clear or glass, Bedouin
- Flooring, ramp, sidewalls and ceiling lining
- Power, lighting and cooling or heating needs
Marquee Hire for different events
- Weddings and traditional ceremonies: a clear or lined marquee with a raised floor for a wine farm or garden reception
- Corporate functions and year-end parties: a branded launch or awards dinner in a framed marquee with lighting and power
- Conferences, launches and expos: an exhibition or breakaway space attached to a lodge or showground
- Birthdays and private parties: a 21st or 60th with a lined ceiling, a dance floor and a bar inside
- Kids' parties and baby showers: a weatherproof hall for a large party or a christening tea
- School events and matric dances: a matric dance or prize-giving venue on the school grounds, with a proper floor
- Funerals, church and cultural gatherings: a formal marquee for cultural ceremonies, Bedouin-style weddings and large family functions
- Festivals, markets and sports days: VIP lounges, hospitality areas and sponsor tents at sports days and events
Frequently asked questions
How much does marquee hire cost?
What is the difference between a marquee and a tent?
Is a glass marquee suitable for summer?
Can a frame marquee go up on paving or decking?
Marquee Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg