Pole and canvas marquees vs giant tipis: Which is right for your wedding or event?

When you’re planning a wedding or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, the first big decision is the venue. If you’ve already ruled out the usual ballrooms, country clubs and hotel function suites, you’re probably considering something more unique, an outdoor structure that’s not just a shelter, but a showpiece. That’s when two popular options usually come into play: the giant tipi tent (also known as a giant hat tipi) and the pole and canvas marquee.

Both create unforgettable spaces and carry serious wow factor, but if you’re after something timeless, versatile and utterly breathtaking, the pole and canvas marquee is the choice that elevates your event from extraordinary to iconic.

What are pole and canvas marquees?

Pole and canvas marquees (sometimes called traditional marquees) are the epitome of elegance. Made from natural cotton canvas stretched over hand-crafted wooden poles, they offer simplicity, sophistication and a flexibility of design that no other event structure can match.

We work with Wills Marquees, the gold standard in marquee craftsmanship. Designed and built in Yorkshire, these marquees are handcrafted using time-honoured techniques and premium materials to create structures that feel both quintessentially British and internationally chic.

Whether you’re planning a luxury countryside wedding, a summer garden party, or a black-tie celebration, a pole and canvas marquee adapts beautifully to your vision.

What about giant tipi tents?

Giant tipis (sometimes spelled teepees or tepees) are instantly recognisable with their conical “hat” shape and tan-coloured canvas. They can be linked together to create larger event spaces, and they lend themselves to a bohemian, festival-style aesthetic.

They’re a popular choice for rustic weddings and laid-back celebrations, but it’s worth noting that giant tipis are derived from the traditional homes of indigenous peoples—so cultural sensitivity is important when choosing your supplier.

Style and atmosphere: Marquee vs Tipi

• Tipis bring a boho, festival-inspired atmosphere. They’re great for creating a relaxed, rustic vibe.

• Pole and canvas marquees are a blank canvas with endless elegant possibilities. Light, airy and endlessly versatile, they can be styled for any mood board, whether that’s classic romance, modern minimalism, vintage chic, or something entirely unique.

  
  

If your event vision leans towards refinement and timeless beauty (without losing personality), a marquee gives you far more freedom.

Light and space

One of the biggest differences between giant tipis and marquees is light.

• Tipis are made with darker canvas and enclosed sides, meaning interiors feel more atmospheric but also dimmer.

• Pole and canvas marquees are naturally bright and airy, with crisp white canvas that floods the space with daylight. At night, they glow beautifully under soft lighting—creating an unforgettable backdrop for your celebration.

If you want panoramic views, clear marquee walls allow you to bring the outdoors in, whether that’s rolling countryside, a coastal horizon, or the gardens of a stately home.

Practicality and comfort

• Tipis require key setup choices (like whether the sides are up or down) to be made in advance and once they’re built, they stay that way. They also lean towards cooler, darker interiors unless heated with a fire pit.

• Pole and canvas marquees are far more adaptable. The sides can be rolled up or down in moments, perfect for the UK’s famously unpredictable weather.

This flexibility means your guests are comfortable whether the sun is blazing, the breeze is blowing, or a summer shower rolls in.

Size and layout

Both structures can scale depending on your guest list, but their flexibility differs:

• Tipis are modular, adding more “hats” to increase capacity. Configurations can be creative but are limited by the fixed cone shapes.

• Pole and canvas marquees offer a wide variety of layouts—from long “stadium” shapes to pill-shaped or oblong designs. They can be linked seamlessly to create chill-out lounges, dining areas, or dance-floors, tailored exactly to your event flow.

Setting the scene

• Tipis make a bold, rustic statement—perfect for festivals or urban pop-up spaces where you want to transform the surroundings completely.

• Pole and canvas marquees blend harmoniously with their environment, from coastal clifftops to manicured lawns, wildflower meadows, or your own garden. Their panoramic design allows you and your guests to feel immersed in the scenery while staying sheltered in style.

  
  

The wow factor

Both giant hat tipis and pole and canvas marquees deliver impact, but in different ways.

• Tipis are specific in their aesthetic: festival, boho, rustic.

• Pole and canvas marquees are universal. They can be styled to look romantic, modern, opulent, relaxed, or whimsical—whatever best reflects your personality and event vision.

  
  

That’s why, for couples and hosts who want a structure that adapts effortlessly to their taste, the marquee always comes out on top.

Making your choice

When deciding between a giant tipi tent and a pole and canvas marquee, ask yourself:

• Does your vision lean more towards rustic festival or timeless elegance?

• Do you want flexibility in design, layout and light, or are you happy committing to a fixed, atmospheric style?

• How important is it to showcase your venue’s surroundings?

• Will the season (summer sunsets vs cosy winter nights) affect your choice?

  
  

If you want a structure that’s as versatile as it is beautiful, one that adapts to you, rather than forcing your event into a theme, the pole and canvas marquee is the clear choice.

If you’d like to explore how a pole and canvas marquee could transform your wedding or celebration, get in touch with us today—we’d love to help bring your vision to life.