How Much Lighting do we Need for a Marquee Wedding?
- Mark
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you’re planning a marquee wedding, lighting is one of those things that sounds simple… until you actually start thinking about it.
How bright does it need to be? Is fairy lighting enough? What happens when the sun goes down? And how do you create atmosphere without it looking like Blackpool Illuminations?
After 15 years running a marquee hire business, working with yurts, pole marquees, stretch tents and smaller structures across all kinds of outdoor sites, we’ve learnt that the honest answer to “how much lighting do you need?” is: Enough to make the space feel welcoming, safe and atmospheric, without overpowering it.
We walk you through how lighting for a marquee wedding actually works with real life examples and what they costs, what to prioritise, and how to avoid the most common mistakes, all without trying to sell you more than you need.
Photography: Howell Jones Photography • Venue: Private land in Hexton, Hertfordshire • Structure: Yurt & Stretch Tent
there’s no one-size-fits-all answer
You’ll often see lighting guides that talk about lumens, lux levels and square metres. While those measurements have their place, they can be confusing and aren't always helpful to you. Great wedding professionals will guide you through the process without bamboozling you
The important parts of Marquee lighting for you are:
Timing (daylight vs evening)
Mood (romantic, relaxed, party-ready)
The type of structure
The site itself
Your budget
That’s why, in practice, we always work with our couples rather than telling them what they “should” have. Our goal isn’t to upsell, it’s to help you create the feel you want, safely and realistically.
Daytime vs evening: when marquee lighting actually matters
One of the biggest misconceptions is that marquee lighting needs to work equally hard all day. In reality...
Daytime weddings
For most UK weddings, daytime lighting inside a marquee is minimal.
Our structures, whether yurts, sailcloth pole marquees or stretch tents, are designed to let in plenty of natural light. In summer especially, daytime light levels are usually more than sufficient for:
Ceremonies
Wedding breakfasts
Speeches
The only times daytime lighting becomes more important are:
Very overcast or stormy days
Heavily shaded sites (woodland, tall hedges, north-facing slopes)
Late autumn or winter weddings
Otherwise, daylight often does the heavy lifting.
Evening & night time weddings
This is where lighting really earns its keep.
Once the sun starts to drop, lighting becomes responsible for:
Setting the mood
Helping guests move around safely
Creating warmth and intimacy
Transitioning the space from “dinner” to “dance floor”
Most couples are surprised by how quickly the feel of a marquee changes at dusk and how much difference the right lighting makes.
different areas benefit from different lighting
A marquee often isn’t one single space, it’s a collection of areas for specific moments. The key is understanding what each area needs at that point in the day.
How do you achieve this?
We achieve zoning, by installing switches for different areas at your request. This means you can keep one area well lit and another at a lower level with more atmosphere. Just chat to us about your needs and we can create the lighting feel you are looking for.
Dining areas
As mentioned, at a wedding dining often happens in daylight, so lighting here is less about brightness and more about:
Soft ambient glow for later in the evening
Avoiding harsh light over tables
Creating warmth once daylight fades
Subtle perimeter lighting and gentle uplighting are usually more than enough.
Dance floor
This is where the energy changes and where lighting becomes more expressive.
As the evening progresses, you want:
Lower overall ambient light
Stronger mood lighting
A clear focal point for dancing
This doesn’t mean club-level lighting unless you want it, it just means letting the space feel like a party, not a dining hall.
Exterior Bars, chill-out areas, walkways & circulation spaces
These areas need:
Enough light to feel safe and usable
But not so much that they compete with the main space
A defined "circulation" area if your site is in a large field with no particular defining features
Highlighted walkways or obstacles such as lakes, ditches or ha-ha's to avoid accidents in the dark
Festoon lighting works best here, guiding guests to the right places while the main marquee carries the energy.
Photography: Milk Bottle Photography • Venue: Lodge Farm House, Hertfordshire • Structure: Yurt
The type of marquee makes a big difference
Different structures respond very differently to light.
Yurts
Yurts naturally feel cosy and intimate, which can mean less lighting overall. Warm-toned lighting works beautifully here, enhancing the structure rather than overpowering it. Canopy lights work really well in the Pavilion Yurts and make the most of the beautiful woodwork in the double tier roof.
Photography: Esme Robinson Photography • Venue: Private home • Structure: Yurt
Pole marquees (sailcloth-style)
These are light-filled by day and benefit from one side as a clear window, letting in lots of extra light and then become stunning by night. Their design allows for:
Perimeter festoon lighting
Uplighters to wash the canopy
Optional canopy or roof lighting for extra impact
Because they’re so open and airy, balance is key. Pole marquees are perfect for really defining different areas or zones. Installation of multiple switches allows you have control of where lighting is required and when, just request this when booking.
Photography: Joshua Tucker Photography • Venue: Private home • Structure: The Duchess Pole Marquee
Stretch tents
Stretch tents are incredibly versatile their organic shapes mean lighting can be carefully placed to avoid uneven brightness. Their lower overall height compared to our other structures means that our basic light package for the tent size is often all you need.
Smaller structures like bell tents & chill-out tents
These often benefit from minimal lighting just enough to make them inviting. Over-lighting can quickly ruin their charm. It is also important to consider if the power supply can reach these areas and the practicalities and costs surround this. These are all things that we can talk you through at a site visit.
Common lighting mistakes we see, and how to avoid them
After our years of experience, a few patterns come up again and again.
1. Thinking more lights automatically means better atmosphere
It doesn’t. One of the biggest mistakes is adding too many different lighting elements without a clear plan. The result can feel busy, chaotic or flat. Often, less really is more.
2. Forgetting how the space will change over time
Lighting shouldn’t be static. What works at 5pm doesn’t necessarily work at 9pm.
This is why installing extra switches is so valuable, this allows you to "zone" areas with differing amounts of light as the evening unfolds. Just ask and we can arrange to do this for you.
3. Ignoring the site
A wide-open field needs a different approach to a sheltered garden or woodland site. Surrounding darkness (or lack of it) affects how much light you’ll need inside.
4. Prioritising looks over safety
Beautiful lighting still needs to be installed properly and safely. Outdoor environments bring extra considerations; weather, power, fixing points, which is why professional installation matters.
Power: less of a worry than you might think
Lighting is often thought to need high power requirements, but when you use us:
All of our lighting is LED, which keeps power consumption low
Lighting usually uses far less power than catering equipment or live bands
That said, power still needs to be planned properly. Lighting choices are always made alongside:
Catering requirements
Entertainment
Site access
Generator or mains availability
This is another reason we recommend early conversations and site visits where possible. Other companies may use different lighting spec, so do ask to make sure power needs are taken into account. Again all good event professionals should be able to guide you and advise on your event power needs.
Creating atmosphere on a budget
A big worry for couples is that great lighting equals a big spend. That doesn’t have to be the case. With thoughtful placement, even a simple setup can feel warm and intentional.
Our approach
We always start with a solid, functional base and then build from there only if needed or wanted.
A well-designed standard lighting setup can:
Fully light the space for evening use
Create an inviting atmosphere
Transition smoothly from day to night
From there, couples can decide whether they want to add extra layers for visual impact.
“What’s the minimum we can get away with?” vs “We want wow”
You might want to consider these two sides of the coin...
Minimum lighting (done well)
A simple setup can still feel beautiful if it’s thought through.
Typically, this includes:
Festoon lighting around the internal perimeter
Uplighters to add depth and warmth as the sun goes down
This delivers everything you need for an evening celebration without excess.
Creating the wow factor
If you want the marquee to really shine after dark, additional layers can transform the space:
Fairy lighting woven into the roof canopy
Outdoor lighting at height to extend the atmosphere beyond the marquee
Highlighting entrances, pathways or surrounding features
These elements aren’t essential, but when used sparingly, they can be show-stopping.
So… how much lighting do you actually need?
In short:
Enough for your guests to feel comfortable and safe
Enough to support the mood you want in the evening
Not so much that it overwhelms the space
The best lighting plans come from collaboration, experience and restraint, not rules of thumb pulled from a spreadsheet.
That’s why we always recommend:
Talking through how you want the day to feel
Considering your site and structure
Allowing flexibility for budget
Planning lighting as part of the wider wedding, not in isolation
So let's take a look at some real life scenarios so that you really get a feel for what things can look like and potential costs involved.
Case Study: A High-Impact Lighting Setup for a Large Guest List
This couple wanted to make the most of their beautiful outdoor setting while accommodating a large number of guests. With more space comes more freedom, but it can also risk the atmosphere feeling too spread out if it isn’t handled carefully.
To avoid this, we introduced lighting at height in a defined 18m x 12m rectangular area directly in front of the marquee. This helped create a natural focal point outdoors, subtly encouraging guests to gather, socialise and stay connected to the main celebration area rather than drifting too far afield.
Lighting was also used practically throughout the site, with illuminated walkways leading to car parking and other key areas, ensuring guests could move around safely and confidently once daylight faded.
Inside the main marquee, the couple opted for our standard lighting package, which provides a warm, welcoming base level of light for the evening. To elevate the atmosphere further and create a real evening “wow factor”, additional fairy lights were installed throughout the canopy, transforming the space once the sun went down.
Finally, the catering tent also required lighting. Although this structure was owned by the family, we installed suitable lighting here too, ensuring the entire site functioned smoothly and safely throughout the event.
Lighting Included in This Setup
This wedding featured:
Standard lighting package
Additional canopy fairy lights
Outdoor lighting at height (18m x 12m)
120 metres of walkway lighting on 1m pins
Lighting for the catering tent
Total lighting cost: £1,266.30 (This wedding is priced at and took place in 2025. Prices are subject to change in future quotations).
A Note on Structure Size & Pricing
It’s worth bearing in mind that this was one of our largest marquee structures. Our standard lighting packages are always adjusted to reflect the size of the tent, as larger structures naturally require more lighting to achieve a comfortable and well-lit base level.
This ensures the space feels properly lit without relying on unnecessary extras, any additional lighting is then added purely to enhance atmosphere and visual impact.
The following photos are kindly provided by Two D Photography
Case Study 2: A Simple, Budget Conscious Lighting Setup
This wedding took place in a double yurt setup, with a clear focus on keeping the lighting budget modest while still creating a welcoming and atmospheric space for the evening.
The main Grand Pavilion Yurt was fitted with our standard lighting package, providing a comfortable base level of light once daylight faded. To enhance the evening atmosphere without adding unnecessary complexity or cost, the couple chose just one upgrade, "additional fairy lights" within the canopy of the Grand Pavilion Yurt. This single enhancement made a noticeable difference after dark, adding warmth and visual interest while keeping the overall setup simple. A second 24ft yurt was also lit, ensuring all guest areas remained usable and inviting throughout the evening. Rather than extending the hired lighting outdoors, the family opted to provide their own external lighting solutions. This worked well for this particular site and guest flow, allowing the couple to prioritise their lighting budget where it mattered most, inside the main celebration spaces.
Lighting Included in This Setup
This wedding featured:
Standard lighting package for Grand Pavilion Yurt
Additional canopy fairy lights in Grand Pavilion Yurt
Lighting in 24ft yurt
Total lighting cost: £378 (This wedding took place in 2019. For ease of comparison, 2025 pricing has been used. Prices are subject to change in future quotations).
Why This Approach Worked Well
Yurts naturally create a cosy feel, by starting with a well designed standard lighting package and adding just one carefully chosen upgrade, the couple achieved a warm and inviting atmosphere without exceeding their budget.
This example shows that thoughtful lighting doesn’t have to be extensive or expensive, it simply needs to suit the structure, the site, and how the space will be used once the sun goes down.
The following photos are kindly provided by John Woodward Photography
What these two examples really show
When you look at these two weddings side by side, it becomes clear that there is only a “right” amount of lighting, for the feel you want to create for your marquee or yurt wedding.
In the first example, lighting was used to shape a large outdoor space, guide guest movement and create a real sense of occasion both inside and outside the marquee. In the second, the focus was much simpler, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere inside naturally cosy structures, with just one carefully chosen upgrade to lift the space in the evening.
Both approaches worked because the lighting suited:
The size of the guest list
How the space was going to be used
And the couple’s priorities
Neither wedding felt under-lit, and neither relied on lighting for the sake of it.
The key takeaway is that good marquee lighting isn’t so much about how much you spend, it’s about using the right lighting, in the right places, for the right reasons. With a clear plan and a bit of guidance, even a modest lighting setup can look and feel fantastic once the sun goes down.
Our advice? Start with the feel you want
If you’re unsure where to begin, think less about fixtures and more about atmosphere. Do you want cosy and intimate? Open and social? A relaxed evening that turns into a lively dance floor? From there, lighting choices become much easier and much more effective.
If you’d like help working out what will suit your structure, site and budget best, that’s exactly what we’re here for. A conversation and a site visit can make all the difference, helping you create a space that feels just right for your wedding, without adding anything you don’t actually need.
Final thought
Lighting has the power to completely change how your marquee feels, but only when it’s done with intention. With the right guidance, you don’t need to overthink it, overspend, or overload the space. You just need lighting that works for your wedding, not against it. And if you’re ever unsure? That’s exactly what experienced marquee teams are there for.
We would love to hear about your plans for your own special event so get in touch so we can help you create the perfect setting: info@funkymonkeytents.co.uk
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