How Much Does a Wedding Marquee Cost in Australia? (2026)
If you're planning an outdoor wedding, the marquee is one of the first big numbers you'll need to pin down. The honest answer is that the cost swings wildly depending on whether you hire for the weekend or buy one outright, and the gap is bigger than most people expect. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what a wedding marquee actually costs in Australia in 2026, so you can budget with your eyes open.
The short answer
- Hiring a wedding-sized marquee for one weekend: typically $2,000 to $5,000+ once you add delivery, setup, pack-down and walls.
- Buying a comparable 10x5m wedding marquee outright: around $1,599, delivered, and it's yours for every event after.
In other words, a single weekend's hire often costs more than owning the marquee forever. That's the maths that surprises most couples.
What drives the price
Whether you hire or buy, a few things move the number:
- Size. A 3x6m for a small backyard ceremony is a fraction of the cost of a 10x5m that seats a sit-down reception. Bigger span, bigger price.
- Frame. Powder-coated steel is strong and great value; aluminium costs a little more but is lighter and won't rust. (More on this in our marquee buying guide.)
- Cover and walls. Heavier PVC covers and full window walls cost more than a light roof-only setup, but they're what make a marquee feel like a proper room on the day.
- Extras. Lighting, flooring, weights and lining all add up, and with hire they're usually charged on top.
Buying vs hiring: the real numbers
Here's a realistic comparison for a wedding-sized marquee that seats around 80+ guests:
| Hire (one weekend) | Buy (yours to keep) | |
|---|---|---|
| Marquee | $1,800 to $3,500 | From ~$1,599 |
| Delivery and pickup | $200 to $600 | Free Australia-wide |
| Setup / pack-down | $300 to $900 (or DIY) | DIY, ~2 people |
| Walls and windows | Often extra | Included |
| Typical total | $2,300 to $5,000 | ~$1,599, once |
Hire makes sense if it's genuinely a one-off and you never want to store it. But if there's any chance you'll host again, a birthday, a Christmas lunch, the next family wedding, buying pays for itself the first time and is free every time after.
What you get for around $1,599
Our 10x5m Wedding Marquee is the showpiece of the range: roughly 50m² of covered space, an aluminium frame, two doors, ten cathedral-style windows, full side walls and a peaked roof that sheds rain. It seats a sit-down reception comfortably and ships free anywhere in Australia, dispatched in about two business days.
Want something smaller? The 3x9m marquee ($349) suits ceremonies and cocktail-style weddings of 30 to 45, and the 3x6m ($249) is ideal for intimate backyard celebrations.
How to budget the rest
Once the marquee itself is sorted, the usual add-ons are flooring or matting, lighting (festoon strings look incredible inside a white marquee), tables and chairs, and weights or pegs for anchoring. Because you own the marquee, you can reuse or borrow these across multiple events instead of paying hire rates every time.
Work out your size and price
The fastest way to get an accurate cost is to match the marquee to your guest count. Run your numbers through our marquee size calculator, or read what size marquee you need for 50, 100 or 150 guests. Every size, with current pricing, is on the full range.
Brisbane Marquee Sales is an Australian marquee retailer, we sell marquees, we don't hire them. Free delivery Australia-wide, dispatched in ~2 days. Questions? Email support@brisbanemarqueesales.com.au.
Common questions
How much does a wedding marquee cost in Australia?
Hiring a wedding-sized marquee for one weekend typically costs $2,000 to $5,000+ once delivery, setup and walls are added. Buying a comparable 10×5m marquee outright is around $1,599 delivered, and it's yours for every event after. A single weekend's hire often costs more than owning the marquee forever.
Is it cheaper to buy or hire a wedding marquee?
For anyone who will host more than once, buying is cheaper. A 10×5m wedding marquee bought outright (~$1,599, free delivery) usually costs the same or less than one weekend of hire, then it's free every time after.
How much is a 10×5m wedding marquee?
The 10×5m Luxury Wedding Marquee is $1,599 with free delivery Australia-wide, dispatched in about two business days. It covers 50m², seats a sit-down reception, and includes an aluminium frame, windowed walls and a peaked roof.