Wedding and event marquee hire
Run a larger marquee stock with furniture, lining and lighting for weddings, corporate days and festivals.
- A$120k-350k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A full-time hire business with larger frame marquees, linings, flooring, lighting, tables and chairs, kept in a rented shed or unit. You quote, deliver and install with a small crew.
Your first three steps
- Visit local wedding venues and event planners to learn what they need and what competitors charge
- Price up equipment and a rented storage space, and plan a first stock you can afford
- Build a simple website with photos and packages, and ask venues to list you as a supplier
Who pays
Couples planning weddings, corporate clients, councils, wedding venues, event planners and festival organisers.
How it makes money
Quoted fee per event based on marquee size, extras and labour, plus delivery and installation charges. Repeat work from planners and venues builds steady bookings.
Skills that help
- Safe heavy lifting and installation
- Quoting and job planning
- Managing a small crew
- Building relationships with planners and venues
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance with enough cover for large events, and workers compensation once you hire staff, check your state scheme
- Larger structures may need council or building approval, and some venues have their own rules, check with the council
- Wind, rain and fire safety, including flame-retardant fabric requirements for some events
- Heavy work and working at height, consider safety training and a proper work method
- Seasonal demand: income can be uneven across the year, so plan your cash flow
- Trailer or truck needs, and the licence required to drive it, check your state transport authority
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: wedding and event marquee hire
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a marquee hire business?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $120,000 to $350,000, depending on how many marquees, linings, lighting, furniture and vehicles you buy, and what storage you rent.
How much can a marquee hire business earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your stock, bookings and prices. Demand is seasonal and income can be uneven across the year, so plan your cash flow.
What rules should I check before starting a marquee hire business?
Check public liability cover suited to large events, workers compensation once you hire staff, council or building approval for larger structures, venue rules, fire safety fabric requirements, and the licence needed for your trailer or truck.
Other ways to run this business
Similar events ideas
Wedding and event marquee hire with setup
Supply, install and pack down larger marquees for weddings, festivals and corporate events with a ute or truck and a small crew.
- A$80k-250k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Small fireworks and effects company
Design and fire licensed fireworks and special effects for weddings, councils, venues and film sets.
- A$60k-250k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Seasonal outdoor cinema venue
Run a summer-season outdoor cinema on a leased garden, winery lawn or rooftop, with regular nights and a bar or food offer.
- A$60k-250k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Function hall for hire with partner caterers
Lease a hall, hire it out for weddings and parties, and let approved caterers handle the food.
- A$60k-250k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Banqueting hall with in-house catering
Run a function hall with its own kitchen and menus, offering venue and food in one package.
- A$60k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood soft play centre for under-8s
Open a small indoor play venue with a cafe corner where local families pay for kids to play, whatever the weather.
- A$80k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: galatent on Pixabay