Three structures, one word
"Marquee" is used loosely for any large function tent. In hire terms it means one of three things, and the gap between them is the biggest single line in your quote.
| Marquee | Structure | Starts at | 100-guest band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peg-and-pole | Canvas over centre poles, pegged | R999 | R4,500–R7,500 |
| Frame | Aluminium skeleton, weighted, no centre poles | R1,850 | R6,500–R9,500 |
| Glass | Frame with rigid glazed walls | R9,500 | R14,000–R25,000 |
Peg-and-pole is the cheapest per seat and the fastest to rig, but it needs ground that takes pegs. A frame marquee costs more and stands anywhere, including paving. Glass runs roughly double a frame of the same footprint.
Marquee hire cost by guest count
Seated guests need 1.2–1.5 m² each; a dance floor adds about 0.5 m² per guest. Size the area first.
| Guests | Marquee size | Peg-and-pole | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 5m × 10m | from R999 (package) | R2,800–R4,200 |
| 100 | 10m × 15m | R4,500–R7,500 | R6,500–R9,500 |
| 160 | 10m × 20m | — | R9,000–R13,000 |
| 200 | 10m × 30m | R8,000–R13,000 | R12,000–R18,000 |
| 300 | 15m × 30m | — | R18,000–R26,000 |
What a dressed wedding marquee adds
The R8,500–R18,000 range quoted for a 100-guest wedding marquee is not the tent — it is the tent plus what goes in it. Working from a R6,500 frame shell:
| Add-on | Rate | On a 100-guest marquee |
|---|---|---|
| Roof and wall draping | R45–R90 per metre | R1,800–R3,200 |
| Tent flooring | R60–R120 per m² | R9,000–R18,000 for full cover |
| Tiffany chairs (vs plastic) | R35–R60 each | +R2,800–R4,800 |
| Fairy-light canopy | R850–R2,500 | R850–R2,500 |
| Gas patio heaters | R350–R550 each | R1,400–R2,200 for four |
Full flooring is the line that surprises people. Most weddings floor the dance area and aisle only, not the whole footprint.
Marquee rates in Pretoria
Tshwane market rates follow these bands, and the metro service range starts at tent hire in Pretoria. The local ladder by size, the glazed option and the season premium are in marquee hire in Pretoria and glass marquee hire in Pretoria; wedding-specific planning is in wedding tent hire in Pretoria.
Common questions
How much is a marquee for 100 guests?
A 100-guest marquee needs about 140 m² — a 10m × 15m structure. Peg-and-pole runs R4,500–R7,500 and a frame marquee R6,500–R9,500. Dressed as a wedding marquee it runs R8,500–R18,000.
Why is a frame marquee more expensive than peg-and-pole?
A frame marquee carries an aluminium skeleton and weight plates instead of poles and pegs, costs more to transport and takes longer to rig — but it stands on paving and leaves a clear interior with no centre poles.
How far ahead should I book a marquee?
Two to four weeks is enough for a frame marquee outside peak season. For spring wedding dates and glass marquees, work on two months — glazed stock is the thinnest in the market.