Getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re saying yes to a lifetime with the person you love the most and opening up the doors to the next stage of your life. And planning your special day should feel just as magical as you imagined. Hosting a marquee wedding gives couples the chance to truly personalise their love, choosing a bespoke venue and decorating to symbolise everlasting love. However, it’s important to be practical too. There are several legal requirements and permissions you may need to obtain in order to host your wedding by the books.
Understanding these will ensure you’re not left with the short straw or at the receiving end of a large fine to put a downer on your big day. This blog will look at the areas you need to consider.
- 1. You cannot get married in a marquee
According to UK law, weddings can only take place if they are carried out in a permanent structure that has a solid roof. So, a solidly fixed gazebo in the venue’s garden would be fine while a marquee isn’t. We notice that customers like to erect a marquee either for the evening reception or to provide coverage to guests and onlookers.
- 2. Temporary event notices
Underneath the Licensing Act 2003, you may need to get a Temporary Event Notice. This permits you to host an event in a temporary location. However, the type of activities that this covers is limited and is unlikely to cover most weddings. Where you may hit a hurdle is if you have live music performing or are planning to play recorded music. If you’ve planned for the marquee to be erected in a traditional wedding venue, they will likely have this licensing sorted.
It’s worth noting that this notice is unlikely to be needed unless you’re either:
- Charging each guest an admission fee.
- Requiring donations from the audience.
Other events, such as conferences or paid marquee events may very well require this notice. To obtain one, you’ll need to submit a request to your district council/local authority at least 10 working days before the event.
When planning a wedding, working with an established company will mean you are made aware of all the legal implications you’re likely to encounter. Here at Carron Marquees, we have been planning marquee weddings and events for many years. If you would like any information or advice, get in contact with our team who will be happy to help.
