There's something about a marquee in a Devon garden or on an estate lawn that just works for a party. Pair it with a silent disco and you sidestep the usual outdoor headaches — no complaints from neighbours, no sound gear at the mercy of the weather, and no need to wind things down once it gets late.
What makes marquees such a good fit
- Best of both worlds. You keep the open-air setting but stay dry and sheltered.
- Room to breathe. Dancefloor, bar and seating can all sit within the same tent without sound clashing.
- Kind to the neighbours. With headphones doing the work, nearby houses stay undisturbed.
- Later finishes. Marquee hire often allows a longer night than a fixed indoor venue.
Getting power to the transmitter
Power is usually the first thing to sort for a marquee event. Most are wired up either via generator or a cable run from the house. You'll need:
- A socket for the silent disco transmitter.
- Power for any lighting extras you've added.
- Ideally a socket inside or near the marquee for overnight charging if it's a multi-day booking.
If a generator's being supplied by the marquee company, ask them to run a standard 240V socket somewhere near where the dancefloor will be.
Sit the transmitter on a covered table rather than straight onto the marquee floor — grass and damp ground aren't kind to electronics, even under canvas.
Sorting flooring for dancing
Grass and matting can turn slippery or uneven, particularly after rain. A few things that help:
- Use a hard dancefloor section if your marquee package includes one.
- If budget allows, lay proper flooring across the whole marquee, not just the dance area.
- Tape cables down and keep them out of the way so nobody trips.
Having a weather backup
Even under canvas, the weather can still throw a spanner in the works. Worth planning for:
- Rain: Check the marquee sides can be dropped if it turns wet.
- Wind: Tie down any decorations or signage close to the transmitter.
- Cold: A couple of heaters can massively extend how long guests stick around.
- Heat: On a warm night, guests will appreciate being able to step outside with headphones still on.
Our headphones can take a bit of a knock but shouldn't get wet. If the marquee has open sides, keep a lidded box handy for spares and charging kit.
Lighting to set the mood
Marquees look fantastic with festoon lights, uplighters and the glow from our LED headphones across the crowd. If you're adding our party lighting on top, aim it to wash across the dancefloor rather than straight into anyone's eyes.
Questions worth asking your marquee supplier
- Where inside the marquee will power be available?
- What flooring comes as standard, and can a dancefloor be added?
- Can the sides be closed if the weather turns?
- What times can we get in to set up and clear away?
- Is there somewhere secure to leave equipment?
Planning a marquee party in Devon? Check availability and we'll help you work out power, lighting and how many headphones you need.