How to Make the Most of Longer Days in Your Spring Marquee Event

26 March 2025

There’s something special about spring marquee events. The air is fresh, the flowers are blooming, and best of all—the days are getting longer. With more daylight to play with, you’ve got extra hours to create a beautiful, relaxed, and seamless experience for your guests. Whether it’s a wedding, garden party, or corporate celebration, here’s how to make the most of those lovely extended spring evenings.

Start Later, Stay Longer

With the sun setting much later in spring, you don’t have to rush the schedule. Rather than beginning your event in the early afternoon, consider a late-afternoon start. This lets your guests enjoy the golden hour and naturally move into a twilight celebration as the sky begins to dim.

Ideal Timing: Starting around 4pm allows time for a welcome drink, some mingling, and the main event before dinner.

Gradual Lighting Transition: Use the fading daylight to your advantage. Begin with natural light, then transition into warm artificial lighting like fairy lights and uplighters as the evening sets in.

Plan Activities to Match the Light

Longer days give you more time to entertain your guests. Take advantage of this by planning outdoor or open marquee activities while the light is still strong.

Garden Games: Think lawn games like croquet, giant Jenga, or ring toss to create a fun and social vibe.

Live Performances: Set up live music or acoustic sessions during the early evening while it’s still light out. There’s something special about enjoying live music under the open sky.

Photography Opportunities: Longer daylight hours are perfect for photos. Golden hour—about an hour before sunset—offers stunning, soft light for portraits and candid shots alike.

Use the Extra Light to Set the Mood

Lighting isn’t just practical—it’s part of the atmosphere. With more time before darkness falls, you can ease guests into different moods throughout the event.

Daylight Vibe: In the late afternoon, focus on natural beauty. Use light, airy fabrics and pastel colours to reflect the season.

Twilight Magic: As evening comes in, introduce candles, lanterns, and fairy lights. Combine these with festoon lighting for pathways and around the marquee’s perimeter to create a gentle, inviting glow.

Night-time Glow: If your party goes into the night, consider coloured uplighting or LED installations for a touch of drama.

Think About Temperature Changes

Spring may bring longer days, but once the sun goes down, it can still get chilly. Make sure your event is prepared for that shift.

Blankets & Throws: Provide cosy blankets or shawls in baskets around the seating areas—both practical and stylish.

Heaters: Add a few marquee-safe heaters in the corners or seated zones so guests stay warm even after dark.

Hot Drinks Station: Later in the evening, offer tea, coffee, or even a hot chocolate bar to keep everyone comfortable.

Let Nature Be the Decor

With spring in full swing, your marquee doesn’t need to compete with nature—it should complement it.

Open Sides: If weather permits, keep some sides of your marquee open to let in the evening light and views of the garden or surrounding area.

Seasonal Flowers: Use locally sourced spring blooms like tulips, daffodils, and peonies to decorate your tables and entrances.

Natural Transitions: Let the changing light be part of the experience. As the sun dips, your marquee will naturally evolve from daytime elegance to evening charm.

Final Thoughts

Longer days in spring offer more than just sunshine—they open the door to events that feel unhurried, flowing, and full of charm. By planning with the extra daylight in mind, you can create a relaxed and seamless event that moves effortlessly from day to night.

Looking to take advantage of spring’s extended evenings? Get in touch with TMCL and we’ll help you find the perfect marquee to bring your vision to life.