PE marquees for parties, celebrations and outdoor events

A PE marquee is an affordable and flexible way to create covered space for a garden party, birthday, confirmation, wedding reception or other outdoor event. It provides room for guests, furniture, serving and entertainment without the expense of hiring a venue.

Flextents.com offers PE marquees in several sizes and designs for private celebrations as well as occasional school, club, community and company events. The relatively lightweight cover makes these marquees easy to handle, dismantle and store between events.

What is a PE marquee?

A PE marquee is a temporary event tent with a steel frame and a cover made from polyethylene. PE is lighter than PVC, making it a practical and budget-friendly material for marquees intended primarily for occasional use.

The range includes Basic and PLUS models with different cover specifications, colours, sizes and designs. Depending on the model, sidewalls, windows and end panels allow you to adapt the marquee to the occasion and provide access or ventilation. Always check the individual product specifications and included components before ordering.

When is a PE marquee the right choice?

A PE marquee is particularly suitable for occasional private celebrations such as birthdays, confirmations, anniversaries, barbecues and garden parties. It can also provide useful temporary space for school events, club activities and informal company gatherings.

For use a few times during the season, PE will often provide a good balance between price, function and ease of handling. A PVC marquee has a heavier and generally more hard-wearing cover and is better suited to frequent or more demanding use. For commercial events, rental, fairs and markets, consider a PVC marquee or one of the Semi PRO, PRO or PRO+ ranges.

How do you choose the right size?

Begin with the number of guests and how the space will be used. A standing reception normally requires less room than a seated meal. Remember to allow space for chairs and circulation as well as any buffet, bar, dance floor, music equipment or serving area.

A marquee that only accommodates the tables can quickly feel crowded once the event begins. Choosing a slightly larger model often creates a more comfortable layout and greater flexibility. Before ordering, measure the site and check the marquee dimensions, entrance positions and sidewall arrangement. Leave sufficient space around the structure for assembly, anchoring and safe access.

How should a PE marquee be secured and used?

A PE marquee is a temporary structure and must always be assembled and secured correctly. Use anchoring equipment suited to the model, surface and installation site. Ground pegs may be suitable for soft ground, while hard surfaces require another method of fixing. A compatible Safety Pack with storm straps and ground pegs can provide additional stability, but anchoring does not make the marquee suitable for severe weather.

Check the forecast before setting up the marquee. Do not use it in strong wind, heavy rain or other extreme conditions, and dismantle it if unsuitable weather is expected. Remove any water collecting on the roof immediately, as the additional weight can damage the cover and frame.

Follow the assembly instructions, fit the cover correctly and inspect the frame, connectors and anchoring points before use. Never leave the marquee unattended in adverse weather.

Which accessories are useful?

Tables and chairs create dining and seating areas, while lighting allows the event to continue after dark. Flooring can provide a more stable surface and a finished appearance. Decorative linings can transform the interior for weddings and special occasions, while transport bags make handling and storage easier.

Only use heaters and electrical equipment approved for the intended setting, maintain the required safety distances and ensure adequate ventilation. Never barbecue or use open flames inside or close to the marquee. If compatible marquees are installed together, connecting gutters can help cover the gap between them. Always check that accessories suit the selected model and size.

How do you clean and store a PE marquee?

Clean the roof cover and sidewalls when necessary and allow every part to dry completely before packing the marquee away. Storing damp covers can cause mould, mildew and unpleasant odours.

Keep the frame, covers and fittings in a dry place, and inspect the poles, connectors, fastening points and covers before each event. Flextents.com offers spare parts for many models, so a damaged pole, connector, sidewall or roof cover may be replaceable. Check the exact model, dimensions and specifications before ordering a spare part.

Do you need another type of marquee?

The right solution depends on frequency of use, durability, setup time and the style of the event:

• Choose a PE marquee for affordable and occasional private use.

• Consider PVC, Semi PRO, PRO or PRO+ for frequent or more demanding use.

• Choose a pop-up gazebo when fast setup and easy transport are priorities.

• Consider CombiTents® when you need a modular solution for different event sizes.

• Explore polyester or pagoda marquees when appearance is especially important.

Need help choosing the right size or series? Our experts can help you compare PE marquees and alternative solutions by phone, e-mail or chat.