Introduction
Sailcloth marquees are a stunning choice for weddings, known for their high peaks, translucent canvas, and elegant wooden poles. They create a romantic, light-filled setting that feels made for celebrating. But like any marquee style, they aren’t perfect for every situation.
At Abacus, we believe in being completely transparent about the potential challenges. By understanding what problems can arise with Sailcloth marquees—and how to avoid them—you’ll feel confident in deciding whether it’s the right option for your wedding.
Common Problems (and the Solutions)
1. Weather Conditions – Wind and Rain
The issue: Sailcloth marquees require a calm day to be safely installed. If we experience high wind speeds it’s very dangerous to install and therefore we avoid windy days to set up a Sailcloth marquee. This means we need a level of flexibility during the lead up to your event date as the our planned day we have allocated to install, might not be the day a Sailcloth is installed due to high winds.
The solution: We always carry out a detailed site visit to assess ground conditions, shelter, and prevailing winds. At Abacus, we tend to aim to install your Sailcloth marquee early on in the week in the lead up to your wedding date, which gives us more flexibility to set your Sailcloth up the following day for example. This is extremely rare we ever have to change a Sailcloth pre planned install date due to high winds, but it is something that can happen. In 2025, of the 24 Sailcloth weddings, we didn’t have to change the pre planned install date due to high winds at all.
2. Ground Conditions
The issue: Sailcloth marquees require grass and space for guy ropes. They cannot be weighted down on hard surfaces like car parks or patios. Soft, uneven, or waterlogged ground can also be problematic.
The solution: We inspect the site in advance and check for slopes, drainage, and access. If the ground isn’t suitable, we’ll advise on alternatives, or discuss flooring options such as boarded interlocking flooring & carpet which is a more practical flooring system compared to Coir Matting, however it is a more expensive flooring option.
3. Internal Poles Obstructing Layout
The issue: The central poles create stunning height but can limit flexibility for where to place tables, bars, or dance floors.
The solution: We provide clear CAD layouts showing exactly how the space will work with your guest numbers, ensuring there’s no awkward surprise on the day. Clever styling can also turn poles into decorative features (wrapped in flowers, lights, or drapes).
The central king poles span every 6m so some extra thought is needed where you place your tables, bar & dance floor.
4. Temperature Control
The issue: Sailcloths are not insulated. In cooler months, they can feel chilly without heating.
The solution: For spring and autumn weddings, we can supply thermostatically controlled heaters to keep guests comfortable. Sailcloth Marquees do come with walls to ensure wind & rain stays where it should be, outside!
5. Seasonal Limitations
The issue: Sailcloth marquees are not ideal for deep winter weddings. They’re better suited to April–September events.
The solution: For couples dreaming of a marquee wedding in December or January, we recommend a Clearspan marquee, which performs far better in cold and wet conditions while still offering elegant styling. At Abacus we do not offer Sailcloth Marquees outside of April – Early October as we want to keep the Roof/Wall material as clean as it can be, so only offer this structure during the better weather months of the year. Other Companies offering Sailcloth Marquees do offer Sailcloth marquees outside of these months if a winter Sailcloth wedding is something you really want.
6. Costs Compared to Clearspan
The issue: Sailcloth marquees usually cost 10% more than Clearspan structures of similar size, if you opt for the upgraded boarded flooring & carpet option. 80% of our Sailcloth weddings opt for the standard coir Matting flooring option therefore Sailcloth can be a slightly cheaper structure compared to a Clearspan structure.
The solution: We’re upfront with all costs and provide transparent itemised quotes. We also share ways to manage costs—such as opting for matting over full wooden flooring, or simplifying lighting packages.
Conclusion
Sailcloth marquees offer an incredible atmosphere and look beautiful in the right setting. The key is understanding their limitations—weather, ground type, layout, and season—and planning around them. With honest advice and careful planning, the potential problems can be avoided, leaving you with a stylish, memorable space for your wedding.
If you’re considering a Sailcloth marquee, the best next step is to get a quotation to get the ball rolling and then a site visit.. We’ll assess your venue, talk through your options, and make sure the structure you choose is perfect for your big day.
GET YOUR SAILCLOTH QUOTATION HERE
Still unsure? Our team is here to talk you through your options and show you real examples from previous weddings. With our experience across all three marquee styles, we’ll make sure you choose the one that truly fits your wedding vision.
Call Us on 01462 262012
Email Mark directly about your Wedding at [email protected]
