'A Marquee in Winter' Event at Miss Bush Bridal, Surrey

When Emma from Miss Bush Bridal, Surrey’s leading luxury bridal boutique, got in touch with us about a concept she had dreamt up for a unique event, we said yes before we even knew the details. When someone as innovative as Emma has an idea, and you see that Inside Outside Marquees, Two Many Cooks and Jenna Hewitt are already on board, you jump at the opportunity.

The concept behind ‘A Marquee in Winter’ was to pull together a roster of brilliant wedding suppliers to show engaged couples exactly what goes into a marquee wedding. Let’s face it, we all bloody LOVE a marquee wedding, but until you’ve actually organised one for yourself how are you to know what it actually takes to pull one off successfully?

Emma offered her beautiful chapel in the idyllic Surrey village of Ripley and the concept was for each supplier to create a sensory overload of their best work to inspire and create a lasting impression for couples and industry folk alike.

So many of our couples have their weddings in a marquee, so for us this was the perfect opportunity to be a part of an event that would speak to so many of you.

Inside Outside, Surrey’s leading marquee provider, was tasked with the near impossible concept of turning a small narrow driveway into a cosy winter inspired marquee. Cue a bespoke marquee, which proved that no matter how awkward the space a marquee CAN work. This is where it’s so crucial to choose a marquee supplier who shares your vision and understands your concept.

The marquee was then transformed with production from Luminaire Events, flowers from Mad Lillies and Kingfisher Farm Shop, furniture hire from Wedhead and impeccable styling from Jenna Hewitt, supported by Susie Evans and The W Studio. 

Stunning bespoke calligraphy and stationery was produced by the amazingly talented Era Calligraphy.

WPC favourites Two Many Cooks once again knocked it out the park with their insanely delicious canapés and bowl food. Catering for over 75 in the smallest of catering tents you have ever seen, it was another brilliant example of the challenges faced by your suppliers with a marquee wedding. When organising your marquee, it’s crucial to link you caterers up with your marquee provider, as they will almost certainly need to be factored into the planning of the marquee when it comes to catering kitchens.

Monannie Cakes arrived with a real showstopper of a wedding cake, and transformed part of the chapel into a bespoke patisserie station – we for one had to be pulled away from this on numerous occasions. De.licous.

Creating a flow within the chapel was key to ensure that all aspect of the event were easily seen by couples. As such we were brought on board to plot how we could transform the very functional but not necessarily beautiful storage room into something seriously show-stopping, that could also serve as the walk through to the marquee.

Cue The Wedding Present Co. pop up boudoir. Following a flawless brief from Jenna Hewitt, we packed up some of our most loved brands and wedding presents from our London showroom and hopped the half an hour down the A3 to transform the space into a cosy, inviting bedroom.

We were also fortunate enough to be asked to dress the main chapel space itself. We transformed the clever storage area above the Miss Bush rails full of the most heavenly dresses from the likes of Jesus Peiro, Susanne Neville and Eliza Jane Howell into 4 separate scenes; In the Kitchen, In the Library, At the Table and Cocktail Hour.

Talking of cocktails, our dear friends from The Cocktail Service were on hand to set up not one, but TWO bars where they served their bespoke cocktails.

An experienced bar set up is absolutely crucial for a marquee wedding – no one wants to queue for drinks at a wedding only to be served a luke warm, flat G&T.

What you want is a bespoke service that is tailored to you of drinks and cocktails that taste delicious, and that are expertly made by an experienced and super fun team – cue The Cocktail Service.

Organising a marquee wedding is a lot of work. It is totally worth it, but there are so many aspects to think about. Electricity, crockery, furniture, heaters, glassware, music, lighting to name but a few. This is where an experienced planner can really take the stress away for you – they will know how to organise a perfect marquee wedding and most importantly will have a tried and tested set of suppliers that they trust with their life.

Jenna Hewitt, supported by the brilliant Susie Evans and The W Studio showed us with grace (and military precision) just what it takes to pull off such an event.

For those of you still looking for your wedding dress – get yourselves booked in for an appointment at Miss Bush. This place is special. Really bloody special. Emma and her team are honest, reliable and seriously knowledgable when it comes to helping you choose a dress to suit your style, personality and wedding.

Their dreamy selection of dresses from the likes of Jesus Peiro, Suzanne Neville and Eliza Jane Howell are second to none – with each one tailored precisely to you. Team that with the stunning setting of the chapel in a gorgeous picture perfect countryside village only 30 mins from London and you’re onto a winner.

Gorgeous models Chloe Keenan and Clare Neave showcased winter inspired bridal fashion, styled by the Miss Bush girls, with winter proof hair and make up from award winning hair stylist Sharon Roberts, Carolanne Armstrong and Carrie Leanne Jessop. There was even a bespoke dress made especially for the event in Miss Bush colours from Nortier Shallow.

Was electric thanks to ALR Music and their incredible roaming band The Juke Joints. Imagine this, 5 rather handsome and ridiculously talented chaps roaming around your marquee singing a collection of your most favourite songs and interacting with your guests. Yes. PLEASE.

Following a Q&A panel with Inside Outside Marquees, Two Many Cooks, Jenna Hewitt, Wedhead and The Cocktail Service, here are our take away top tips for planning your marquee wedding in winter.

• Create zones in your marquee for your reception and dance floor using clever lighting and even showstopping reveal curtains. Furniture hire also helps to create chill out zones.
• Make sure you have a catering tent that will support everything your catering company need (including heaters if it’s sodding freezing!)
• Lighting is key, an experienced production company like Luminaire can really transform your space
• Planning is key, think outside the box to ensure you cover everything you need from electrics to furniture etc
• ALWAYS HAVE A WET WEATHER PLAN!
• Always allow for heating in your budget (remember these can always act as fans if the weather changes)
• Loos – hire these in and make sure you have the right size to cater for all your guests. For a winter wedding, a covered walkway to the loos is a great idea to avoid your guests having to battle the elements to find the loo!
• A marquee gives you free reign for full creativity, but having the right squad of suppliers around you is key. Even better if they have worked together before!
• DO IT! You’ll never regret a marquee wedding.

For more advice and personal tips from a real WPC marquee wedding, click here.

Venue and Fashion - Miss Bush Bridal featuring Jesus Peiro, Nortier Shallow, Suzanne Neville, Eliza Jane Howell, Freya Rose and Miss Clemmie Accessories

Marquee Hire - Inside Outside

Marquee Production and Lighting - Luminaire Events

Caterers - Two Many Cooks

Wedding Planner - Jenna Hewitt

Assistant Planners - Susie Evans and The W Studio

Calligrapy and Stationery - Era Calligraphy

Cocktails - The Cocktail Service

Photography - Katrina Bartlam and The Springles

Cake and Patisserie Bar - Monannie Cakes

Videography - Tom Sassi

Marquee Furniture Hire - Wedhead 

Flowers - Kingfisher Farm Shop and Mad Lillies

Brolly and Blanket Hire - Brolly Bucket

Hair Stylist - Sharon Roberts

Make Up Artists - Carolanne Armstrong and CLJ Make Up 

Models - Chloe Keenan and Clare Neave