Square Footage Requirements

 

When planning an event, or reserving a location, the following list is meant to be a Guide only, for estimating the Square Footage needed for Tents, Meeting Rooms, Event, Reception Rooms, and Dance Floors.

 

Meeting Room Size Estimates

For a rough estimate of the size of the room needed, multiply the number of people by the appropriate square footage per person from the formulas below. To determine if a certain meeting room can accommodate a desired setup, divide the room's total square footage by the appropriate square footage per person from the formulas below. This is only a rough estimate. Room configurations always depend on the shape of the room, what is already in the room that cannot be moved, the amount of décor and other variables.

                                                                          

 

rough estimate 

Guests	Theater Seating	Classroom Seating	Banquet Seating	Reception Seating	Hollow Square	U-Shape
60 people or less	12 square feet per person allows room for a normal size stage and aisles.	22 square feet per person	20 square feet per person allows room for bars, buffets, a dance floor and a stage.	10-12 square feet per person.	30 square feet per person.	35 square feet per person.
60 to 300 people	11 square feet per person allows room for a normal size stage and aisles	20 square feet per person	15 square feet per person, sit down dinner - allows room for table seating only.
more than 300 people	10 square feet per person  allows room for a normal size stage and aisles.	18 square feet per person

 

 

Seating Arrangements

Theater Seating - rows of chairs without tables
 

Classroom Seating - rows of chairs with tables. Tables are usually six to eight feet long banquet tables.
 

Banquet Seating - Round tables with chairs. See the table and linen size page for table sizes.
 

Hollow Square - setup up of six or eight foot banquet tables; used for conferences and meetings.
 

U-Shape - setup up of six or eight foot tables; used for conferences and meetings.
 

 

 

 

Tent Size Estimates

Please remember no two functions are alike.  Each purpose deserves to be looked at individually so that the exact size of marquee can be determined based on your personal needs and preferences.  The  figures below in the Tent & Square Footage Chart are just guidelines. Please check with your rental company before ordering your tent, the following are only meant to be estimates only !!!

                                                                           

 rough estimate

	Theater Style		Cocktail Party w/Bars		Sit-Down Served @ 60		Sit-Down Buffet @ 60
Number of Guests	9 sq ft per Person	w/ Stage & Seating Tent Size	12 sq ft per Person	Stations 1/3 Seating Tent Size	18 sq ft per Person	w/Music & Dancing Tent Size	20 sq ft per Person	w/Music & Dancing Tent Size
25	225	15x20	300	20x20	450	20x25	500	20x30
50	450	20x25	600	20x30	900	30x30	1000	30x40
75	675	20x35	900	30x30	1350	30x45	1500	30x50
100	900	30x30	1200	30x40	1800	30x60	2000	40x50
125	1125	30x40	1500	30x50	2250	40x60	2500	40x65
150	1350	30x45	1800	30x60	2700	40x70	3000	40x80
175	1575	30x55	2100	40x55	3150	40x80	3500	60x60
200	1800	30x60	2400	40x60	3600	60x60	4000	60x70
225	2025	30x70	2700	40x65	4050	60x70	4500	60x80
250	2250	40x55	3000	40x75	4500	60x80	5000	60x80
275	2475	40x60	3300	40x80	4950	60x80	5500	60x90
300	2700	40x70	3600	40x90	5400	60x90	6000	60x100

 

 

 

Tent Weddings and Garden Parties

The typical wedding or garden party under a tent or canopy will require space for guests to be seated at round tables, as well as space for buffet, head tables, bars, and dance floors.  Although every party has unique requirements, the general rule for this type of party is to allow 15 square feet per guest.

Cocktail Parties

Since there is not the need for as much furniture at a cocktail party, minimal seating, smaller food stations, etc.) the space allowance can be reduced to 10 square feet per guest.

Ceremony or row seating

For wedding ceremonies or public assemblies, one must allow for the chairs, space between the rows, aisles, and the space required for the podium and / or stage.  The suggested allowance is 8 square feet per person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dance Floors 

Dance floor comes in 3' x  3' panels  and can be assembled in any increment of three feet (e.g.  6x9, 6x12, 9x12, etc.).   Dance floors generally need to be installed and delivered by equipment rental company's.  For price estimates per 3x3 panel consult your local rental company customer service representative, or refer to the equipment shopping checklist estimates page.

 

Dance Floor Capacity