Whether you’re hosting a summer party, family celebration or wedding reception at home, one of the first questions people ask is what effect a marquee will have on the garden. Fortunately, with a little planning and the right flooring, your lawn is very unlikely to suffer anything more than a short period of recovery.
At Project Marquee, we’ve installed marquees in gardens throughout Surrey, South West London and Middlesex, from compact town gardens to large country properties. Every location presents its own opportunities and challenges, but with careful planning and professional installation, there’s rarely any reason to worry about your lawn.
Preparing Your Garden Before Installation
Most customers are pleasantly surprised by how little preparation is actually needed before installation day. Once we’ve agreed the position of the marquee, there are only a few simple jobs that will help everything run smoothly.
Removing garden furniture, planters, children’s toys and any other movable items from the installation area gives our team the space they need to work efficiently. If there are low branches or overgrown shrubs close to the proposed location, trimming them back beforehand can also make the installation process easier.
No two gardens are ever quite the same. The size of the lawn, access to the site, the condition of the ground and even nearby trees all influence how a marquee is installed. That’s why we always carry out a site survey before your event, allowing us to assess the garden, discuss the best access route and recommend the most suitable marquee and flooring.
If possible, mowing the lawn a day or two before installation provides a tidy, even surface. During prolonged dry weather, giving the grass a light watering beforehand can also help keep it in good condition, although this is by no means essential.
If your garden includes slopes, uneven ground or changes in level, don’t be concerned. We’ve installed marquees on all kinds of sites over the years and can recommend practical solutions that create a safe, stable and attractive event space.
Will a Marquee Damage My Lawn?
This is probably the question we’re asked more than any other.
The reassuring answer is that, in most cases, lawns recover remarkably well after a marquee has been removed. It’s perfectly normal for the grass beneath the marquee to look a little flattened or lose some of its colour for a short time. This happens simply because the grass has been shaded for several days and hasn’t received its usual amount of sunlight.
Once fresh air and daylight return, the lawn normally begins to recover naturally. Permanent damage is uncommon, particularly when suitable marquee flooring has been used throughout the event.
How We Help Protect Your Lawn
It’s easy to assume that the weight of the marquee is what affects the grass. In our experience, that’s rarely the main cause.
What usually has the biggest impact is repeated foot traffic, heavy furniture and guests naturally following the same routes throughout the day. That’s why choosing the right flooring is one of the most important decisions when planning a garden marquee.
The right flooring doesn’t just improve the appearance of the marquee. It creates a stable, comfortable surface for your guests while helping to spread weight more evenly across the lawn.
The most common flooring options are:
Wooden Boarded Flooring
Raised timber flooring provides a firm, level surface for guests and allows air to circulate beneath the boards. It also helps prevent muddy conditions if the weather changes and reduces pressure on the grass below.
Cassette Flooring Systems
For larger events or where a particularly robust floor is required, cassette flooring creates an exceptionally stable platform. The interlocking panels distribute weight across a much larger area, making them ideal for dining furniture, dance floors and other areas that will experience heavier use.
Carpets and Interior Flooring
Carpet can then be laid over the structural flooring to create a smart, comfortable finish that complements the style of your event while providing an additional layer beneath guests’ feet.
As part of our planning, we’ll also consider entrances, walkways and rainwater drainage to help reduce unnecessary wear on the surrounding lawn. If your event is taking place during cooler months, sidewalls and heating can also be incorporated to keep guests comfortable whatever the weather.
Helping Your Lawn Recover Afterwards
Once the marquee has been dismantled, there are a few simple things you can do to encourage the lawn to recover.
If the weather is dry, watering the grass and gently lifting any flattened blades with a soft rake will usually help it regain its appearance more quickly. It’s also worth avoiding unnecessary foot traffic over the area for a few days while the grass settles back.
Recovery times vary depending on the season, weather conditions and how long the marquee remained in place, but most lawns return to normal surprisingly quickly.
Planning Your Garden Marquee
A successful marquee installation begins long before the first section of framework is assembled. By understanding your garden, choosing suitable flooring and carefully planning the layout, we can create a marquee that works beautifully for your event while helping your lawn recover as quickly as possible afterwards.
If you’re planning a wedding, party or corporate event in Surrey, South West London or Middlesex, we’d be delighted to visit your property, discuss your ideas and recommend the marquee and flooring options that best suit your garden.
Book a site visit today click to call us now by phone or by contacting us by our online form.