Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 120

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The devil is
in the detail
Canvas tents with proper poles and guy ropes are what
Grays Traditional Marquees are all about. More weddings
than ever before have been held this summer in marquees
designed, erected and even constructed by the Island-based
company which has been in business for over 160 years.

“We’re not just a ‘fair-weather’
company, says proprietor
Nick Ward. “The weather this
summer has been the most
challenging our company
has had to face for many
years, but, with the help of
modern equipment such as
pumps, heaters and wooden
flooring, our marquees have
been able to withstand the
very worst weather.”
Made from natural canvass,
with ivory painted poles, the
traditional marquees supplied
by Grays are, surprisingly
actually cheaper than the
plastic barn-like marquees
you often see today. But
beware! When choosing
your marquee, make sure
that your package includes
everything needed to make
your party go with a swing.

Unlike Grays, many
companies these days supply
a marquee at cheap rate giving
the illusion of better value, and
then charge extra for additional
materials, or even don’t supply
it at all, leaving the customer
at risk of organizing generators
and lighting themselves. Not
something you’d want to take
on when it’s your wedding
day. The devil, therefore, is
very definitely in the detail.
Having been in business
for so many years, Grays has
the experience to advise its
customers on the complete
solution and regularly supply
everything from lighting
and generators, to flooring,
walkways and deluxe loos,
all detailed in the quotation.
Grays Traditional employs
10 regular island staff, plus

four Polish staff who return each year and
are now a crucial part of the team. “We
will always work in partnership with other
island-based companies,” explains Nick
Ward. “Working with quality suppliers we
know well produces a seamless event,
where everyone works hand in hand.”

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