How to Calculate the Size of a Wedding Tent
Outdoor weddings and receptions often use tents to protect the bride and groom and guests from the sun, rain or snow. Calculating the correct size is important if you want all the guests to fit underneath the tent. You must also take into consideration the food, band, tables and dance floor if you have one. If you have a large number of guests, it is OK to have several smaller tents. The important thing is to calculate the correct size so that no one is left out in the weather.
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Instructions
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Size of tent needed for guests
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1
Figure out the precise number of guests attending the wedding. This number is very important, as it will determine the size of the tent.
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2
Determine the type of reception you are holding. They can range anywhere from a cocktail reception to a seated dinner, with many types in between.
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3
Multiply the number of people by the square footage needed for each type of reception.
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4
For a stand-up cocktail style, figure 6 square feet per person. If you want to provide some seating, figure 8 square feet. If you want a tea-style reception with a bit of seating or theater-style with people seated in rows, you will also need 8 square feet per person. If you have having a seated dinner with 8-foot banquet tables, you will need 10 square feet per person. If you are using 5-foot round tables, you will need 12 square feet per person.
Size of tent needed for band and other items
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5
Decide what other types of things need to be under the tent, including the band, a dance floor, DJ area, buffet lines or drink stations. These also take up room that you will need to take into account.
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If you are having a dance area, figure on 5 square feet per person. A band or musicians will require extra room, as well. A 3-piece set will need 100 square feet; 5-piece will need 250 square feet; 7-piece will need 300 square feet; and for a 12-piece band, you will need 450 square feet. If you are just having a DJ, plan on an additional 200 square feet.
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If you are having food buffet lines, you will need to allocate 100 square feet for every 50 guests. To set up a drink station or two, plan on 50 square feet for each station.
Selecting the tent
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8
Add up the square footage to find the size tent needed to completely house your guests and extras during the reception. This is the number you would bring to a tent rental agency to select a tent.
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9
Weigh the advice of the tent rental agency. They will be able to suggest a tent type and help determine whether you should get more than one tent.
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10
Be certain the tent rental company is well supplied. If you have unexpected guests RSVP at the last moment, you will need to call the tent rental agency to see if you can get a larger tent.
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