Why Choose Shades for Your Wedding or Event?

More than just a marquee

Choosing a marquee company isn’t simply about finding a tent that fits your guest list. It’s about creating a space that feels right, looks beautiful and, most importantly, allows you to enjoy your event without worrying about what’s happening behind the scenes.

Based in Yorkshire, we provide sailcloth marquee hire and stretch tent hire for weddings, private parties and events across Yorkshire and beyond. From intimate garden weddings to larger celebrations at country estates and private venues, we create beautiful, relaxed spaces designed around you and your guests.

We specialise in creating relaxed, beautifully considered events using our collection of high-quality sailcloth marquees and stretch tents, backed up by the experience, equipment and people needed to make everything look amazing and run smoothly.

We understand that sometimes, booking a marquee can feel daunting, but from the first conversation to the moment we leave, our aim is simple: to make your event feel effortless.

Quality you can see

Here at Shades, we take enormous pride in the quality and presentation of our marquees.

Our tents are regularly renewed and maintained, ensuring that they continue to look their very best season after season. Before every event, our marquees are thoroughly cleaned and prepared so that when they arrive at your venue, they are spotlessly clean, fresh and immaculate.

Details matter – to you and us. From the condition of the canvas and the way the marquee is dressed, to the positioning of furniture and lighting, our team takes care over the small things that make a big difference to the finished result.

When you’re investing in a wedding marquee or event marquee, you should expect it to look exceptional. We do too.

Honest quotes, with no nasty surprises

We believe in being straightforward from the beginning.

Our quotes are designed to be as comprehensive and transparent as possible, so you can understand what your event will actually cost rather than being presented with a low headline price and a long list of extras later.

We include a comprehensive lighting package and matting with the marquee cost as standard, helping you plan with confidence from the outset. We also try to include most things that you are likely to need for your event in the your initial quote so that you have a better idea of overall budget, but this is just intended as a guide at the start.

As part of the planning process, we also talk you through anything else you may need, from furniture and heating to power, catering tents and toilets. If something isn’t necessary, we’ll tell you. We would much rather provide honest advice than sell you something you don’t need, and if you would rather source some elements yourselves, that is no problem at all.

Our flexible approach to events is one of the reasons so many of our clients recommend us.

Beautiful spaces, right down to the details

We have a carefully selected range of furniture and finishing touches to help bring your event together.

From elegant round dining tables and oak cross-back chairs to rustic trestle tables and wooden benches, we can help you create a look that feels natural and relaxed. Our range also includes bars, sofas, cake tables, easels, barrels and highchairs, as well as furniture for chill-out areas and reception spaces.

And if you have something specific in mind, just ask. Our furniture collection is continually evolving and we’re often able to source something to suit your vision.

We take care of the practical stuff too

A beautiful marquee is only part of creating a successful outdoor event.

We can coordinate many of the other essential services you’ll need, including:

• Luxury mobile toilets
• Heating
• Power and generators
• Catering tents
• Additional event furniture

Where possible, we work with trusted local suppliers around your venue. This can help keep costs under control while also making the whole process simpler for you.

We’ll also help you think through the practical details that are easy to overlook — from catering access and power requirements to heating for a cool summer evening.

Lighting that creates the atmosphere

Our unique lighting system has been designed to work with different marquee layouts and can be tailored to the atmosphere you want to create. The lighting package included within our marquee cost is designed to create a soft, intimate glow for dining, and then a fabulous, warmly lit space ready for the party in the evening:

We include as standard:

• Copper Lanterns on the centre poles, with warm Edison lightbulbs
• Dimmable and colour changing LED uplighting around the internal roofline of the marquee
• Festoon lighting around the external roofline perimeter

We can also add character with our range of additional lighting options, including disco balls, Edison ladders, Acorn chandeliers and much more to create the perfect look for your special day.

Experience that travels with us

Although we’re based in Yorkshire, our wedding marquee and event marquee hire services take us across the North of England and beyond.

We’re happy to travel and have extensive experience working in a wide variety of settings, from private gardens and country estates to more unusual and challenging locations. Take a look at our recommendations for venues in Yorkshire and across the UK for more inspiration.

We understand that every venue is different, and we’ll work with you to find the right solution rather than trying to fit your event into a standard package.

We also work hard to keep our delivery and logistics costs as low as possible. We don’t see delivery or crew costs as an opportunity to make money — it’s simply part of getting our marquees to you and ensuring our team can travel safely, or sometimes staying nearby if necessary.

Genuine 5-star service

We’re incredibly proud of the feedback we receive from our customers.

Dave, Jenny and the Shades Canvas team were exceptional. From the initial enquiry, booking, site visit through to installation and take down, no request was too much hassle. We hired a sailcloth marquee and a few extras (eg catering tent, circular bar, floral hoop and disco ball) for our wedding and were blown away by the finish. Having Dave onsite during the day to help adjust the tent sides was also a big help. Thanks again guys, you couldn’t have been any better!

Our genuine 5-star reviews reflect the things that matter to us: the quality of our marquees, our attention to detail, our communication and, above all, the experience we provide from the first enquiry through to the end of the event.

We know that choosing a marquee company involves a lot of trust. You’re putting an important part of your wedding or event in someone else’s hands.

We aim to deliver the same high standard of service for every event, whether you’re planning an intimate garden party, a large marquee wedding or a corporate event.

Peace of mind on the day

Perhaps most importantly, you shouldn’t have to worry about your marquee once your event has started.

For those who want complete peace of mind, we can provide a uniformed member of our crew to remain on site during your event and take care of the marquee and associated equipment.

They can:

• Remove the marquee walls if the weather is warm and replace them as the evening cools
• Keep an eye on heaters, generators and loos
• Monitor the marquee throughout the day
• Help ensure everything is working as it should
• Deal with any marquee-related issues so that you don’t have to

Our standard on-site service is typically from 10am–4pm, with additional hours available if required.

It means you can concentrate on what really matters — your guests, your food, your music and having a brilliant time.

A marquee that feels like yours

We don’t believe in creating events that all look the same.

Whether you’re planning an elegant marquee wedding in Yorkshire or further afield, a relaxed garden party or a large celebration with family and friends, we’ll work with you to create a space that reflects your style. Our sailcloth marquees and stretch tents provide a beautiful, natural backdrop, while our lighting, furniture and additional services allow you to make the space completely your own.

From the first conversation to the last guest leaving, we’re here to make it easier.

Beautiful marquees. Immaculate presentation. Thoughtful details. Honest advice. Genuine 5-star service. And one less thing for you to worry about.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you plan your perfect celebration – we can’t wait to speak with you.