DIY marquees and friendors
When Jenna from Festive & Flair told me she DIYed her own foam marquee letters, I smiled politely and assumed I was about to see something held together with hot glue and good intentions.
Then I went to her Instagram.
I zoomed in. I looked at every angle. And I could not find a single flaw. These are clean, professional, fully lit, four-foot marquee letters, and she built every single one herself.
So I invited her on the podcast to share exactly how she does it.
The Foam Marquee Method
Jenna's letters are made from two types of foam: a white garage insulation foam for the backing, and project foam board for the sides to keep the structure solid. She uses a specific font she downloads as a balloon mosaic template, cuts the shapes and lights them with hardwired strings.
The result? Letters that look like they belong at a corporate event... because they have. Jenna's done custom work for corporate clients using brand fonts, and she even built a 16-foot Luke Combs logo marquee.
What It Actually Costs
Here's the part that made me a little annoyed about my own $15,000 to $20,000 investment:
- Materials per letter: around $27
- Initial tool setup: under $100
- Time per letter once you've made a few: 30 to 60 minutes
And these aren't disposable. Jenna has a full inventory she reuses event after event, with only occasional touch-ups needed. Some of her letters have been in rotation for years.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you've been putting off marquees because of the upfront cost, Jenna's approach changes the math entirely. You can start with the letters you need most, build your inventory gradually as bookings come in, and never have to turn a client away because you don't have the right character in stock.
She even offers a downloadable tutorial on her website that walks through every material, every tool, and every step... including links to exactly what she uses and alternatives if you don't have access to a Lowe's.
The Takeaway
Marquees are one of the most reliable upsells in this business. Clients want them, they photograph beautifully and they command a strong rental price. Jenna's foam method removes the biggest barrier to entry (the cost) without sacrificing visual impact.
If you've been waiting for a sign to add marquees to your offerings, this is it.
Listen to my full conversation with Jenna in episode 406 of The Bright Balloon Podcast to hear more, and, she also shares her "friendor" strategy that's turned her vendor relationships into a one-stop event shop.
