Getting married at The Marquee Bedford: what to know

• Where: Ampthill Road, Kempston Hardwick, MK45 3JF. About 4 miles south of Bedford town centre, around 10 to 15 minutes by car, and about 15 minutes from Junction 13 of the M1.
• Size: up to 600 guests.
• The pavilion: a covered area in the back garden, used for Nikkah ceremonies, canapés and live BBQ.
• Parking: space for up to 300 cars, with a car park attendant who guides guests to their spaces.
• Good for: Baraats, Walimas, Nikkahs and full wedding days. We've filmed all of them there.

The Marquee Bedford restricts real flowers, confetti poppers and smoke grenades for car entrances. Couples often find this out late, after they've planned the shot.

Plenty still works. Couples at The Marquee use:

• sparklers
• bubbles
• dry ice
• stage sparks
• artificial flowers, indoors only (not outside)

Check your plans with the venue first. Then tell us what you'd like, and we'll plan the entrance shots around it.

On site, we have three:

• The garden, for open space and natural light.
• The foyer, under the pink blossom trees.
• The bridal room, with the red roses.

If you'd like something away from the venue, we have two favourites close by:

• Houghton House, the ruins about 10 minutes' drive away. We took Jit and Jemima there before their day at The Marquee.
• The Embankment in Bedford, along the river next to the Swan Hotel, about 15 minutes away.

• One hour is ideal.
• 45 minutes works well.
• 30 minutes is the minimum.

Leave this time before the entrance, not after. Once guests are seated, the day moves fast. If you're going to Houghton House or the Embankment, add the drive time on top.

Most of our couples get ready at the Swan Hotel on the Embankment, which also puts the river right on the doorstep for photos. You can also get ready on site at The Marquee with early access. Ask the venue about this when you book.

The Marquee's in-house decor team is Love in Deco, based in Bedford. Every booking comes with the venue's standard decor, and if you want more, Love in Deco can upgrade the stage and the room.

We work alongside The Marquee's team and coordinators on the day, on intercoms, so everyone knows when the entrance is coming, when speeches start and when the cake is cut. Nothing gets missed because someone was in the wrong place.

Our team arrives 10 to 15 minutes before your event starts, so we're set up and ready before the first guests walk in.

As the venue's official media partner, we offer package rates to couples who book The Marquee Bedford. Ask us for the rate when you enquire.