Thinking About A Marquee Wedding? We Get The Low-down From Marquee Specialist Harry The Hirer

When it comes to marquee innovation, nobody does it better than Harry the hirer. Peter Rowland and Harry the hirer have collaborated on literally thousands of weddings all over Australia, many of them in marquees. We asked Harry the hirer stylist Alex Brown for the low-down on what to look out for when you’re planning a marquee wedding.

What is Harry the hirer famous for?

Harry the hirer are a premium wedding, party and event equipment hire company with unique hire products including stylish marquees, flooring, decking, luxury contemporary and classic furniture, table linen, hospitality and catering equipment, audio visual, lighting, rigging, staging, LED screens and draping.

Originality is at the forefront of our styling. Our creative team travels the globe to research and source modern pieces of furniture in order to curate collections for the Australian wedding market. The ability to do this is our strength and sets us apart in industry.

What do couples come to you for?

Couples work with us directly or through wedding planners and catering and events companies such as Peter Rowland.

We work with couples early in their journey to explore their ideas, play with colours and visualise styles. We offer experience and ideas to bring concepts together. Our Creative team guide them through our vast range of products and services and offer mood boards and floor plans to give their vision clarity.

Harry the hirer are innovators in wedding marquees. What trends are you seeing for 2020 and beyond?

Marquees are heading in two distinct directions – one is the coastal or country style of the Fairhaven Marquee. The stunning rope and pole marquee comprises polished timber and a beautiful white awning. It is available with or without walls and with or without a floor pending the surface, weather conditions and location. It is a beautiful tranquil, relaxed marquee.

The second style of marquee is The Atrium, with its towering cathedral ceiling, black powder coated frame and glass walls. This highly refined and elegant marquee sits perfectly in an urban location and likewise on the banks of a river.

New to the wedding market in 2020 will be the Alto. A modern version of the classic white frame marquee, with its high ceiling, contemporary panned walls and black windows and doors – look out for this one!!

THE ATRIUM MARQUEE WITH ITS TOWERING CATHEDRAL CEILING AND GLASS WALLS SHOWN BY DAY AND BY NIGHT. ATRIUM MARQUEE, ALL FURNISHINGS AND TABLETOP FROM HARRY THE HIRER.

What is the best way to dress a marquee to fit a wedding theme?

The best way to dress a marquee for a wedding is to firstly break up the spaces. Consider the pre drinks area, dining, dancing and a lounge area for desserts, cheese coffee and espresso martinis.

From here consider the mood and soften spaces with festoon lights or warm up lights. Select difference furniture for each area however include a common theme be it the colour, finish or style.

Decide on elegant colours such as sand, warm white, lavender, sage and calico. Shades of green are always popular and further enhance with gold. Place throw cushions on the lounges and arm chairs. Choose table linen and napkins that are soft and tribute the tones of the furnishings.

MARQUEES PROVIDE THE FLEXIBILITY TO CREATE ‘ROOMS’ TO REFLECT YOUR PERSONAL TASTE SUCH AS THIS CHILL-OUT ZONE FEATURING FURNISHINGS FROM HARRY THE HIRER.

What’s on trend now for weddings and what’s making a comeback?

We are seeing a shift toward a modest, relaxed, natural look and feel. Styling and decor is simpler with florists using grasses and wild flowers and furniture selections are about creating ‘chill out zones’ and making guests feel comfortable.

Elegance and sophistication will always be on trend, however ‘more is more’ is not as common as it has been in the past.

WEDDING STYLING IS SEEING A SHIFT BACK TO A MORE NATURAL LOOK. FLORISTS ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH GRASSES AND COLOURS CLOSE TO NATURE. PHOTOGRAPH BY LOST IN LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY. WEDDING STYLING BY CREATING BEAUTIFUL.

What is the best way for couples to express their personal taste across their wedding?

There are endless ways a couple can express their signature style throughout their wedding from the menu and beverages through to a custom scent for the room – every decision should aim to say something about the couple. Our custom build team along with our signage team can work with couples to design and build special elements for their wedding from photo moments, to directional signage through to a striking cocktail bar. We can also talk about feature lighting to elevate the mood, enhance or soften a space.

How do couples on a tight budget still achieve big impact for their wedding?

Focus on one thing and then do it exceptionally well! For example dress one table – the bridal table beautifully. The table may only seat 8 to 12 guests so the costs won’t blow out to dress it up. Select different chairs and linen from the rest of the tables – perhaps a velvet chair and coloured cloth. Use
gold cutlery and crystal glassware.

Little touches to enhance all of the other tables may include a coloured water glass or a coloured napkin. Use different shaped tables to make the room feel discordant – for example instead of having all round tables; use a selection of rounds, square and rectangle tables.

Give consideration to a smart floor plan; place the bridal table in the middle of the room amongst friends and family rather than at one end or facing out to guests. Don’t separate the guest tables with the dance floor; place the dance floor at one end and tables for dining at the other. This will
give the room impact without breaking the budget.

HARRY THE HIRER’S BELLE CHAIRS GROUND A CONTEMPORARY SETTING IN A ROMANTIC SPACE. AND PETER ROWLAND’S CAKE OF CHEESE

What would be your dream wedding brief?

We love both the coast line and hinterlands for beautiful weddings in Victoria and New South Wales – we have trucks (lots) so happy to go anywhere!

Goes without saying though – anything that involves the Italian countryside!

THE EXPANSIVE LAWN AT RIPPON LEA HOUSE AND GARDENS PROVIDES THE PERFECT EXCUSE FOR A MARQUEE WEDDING.

For more information or to speak to one of our event planners, contact us today.

Interview by Harry the hirer stylist, Alex Brown @harrythehirer