What size marquee do you need?
Guest count in, floor area and size class out: the same sums a marquee firm does on the site visit.
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For a seated dinner allow 1.4 square metres per guest, then add a dance floor at 0.2 sqm per guest and 15 to 25 sqm for a bar. A 100-guest wedding typically needs about 160 sqm with dancing: a 12m × 15m to 12m × 18m frame marquee. Standing receptions need less than half the seated area.
Size classes at a glance
| Guests | Size class | Typical footprint | Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60 | 20m-class | 9m × 12m | garden weddings, big birthdays |
| 60–120 | 30m-class | 12m × 18m | the classic wedding size |
| 120–250 | 40m-class | 12m × 30m or 15m × 25m | large weddings, corporate dinners |
| 250–500 | 50m-class | 20m × 35m | balls, big corporate events |
| 500+ | 60m-class+ | 25m × 45m+ | multi-structure territory |
Width is the real decision
Marquees come in fixed widths (6, 9, 12, 15, 20 metres and up) and grow in length by bay. Width sets the feel: 9m seats a narrow dinner, 12m fits rounds with a comfortable aisle, 15m and up gives you zones: dining here, dancing there, lounge in the corner. Length is cheap to add; width changes the product.
Ground matters as much as area: read the full marquee hire guide for frame vs pole vs stretch, lining, flooring and access, or check the trackway estimator if your site is a field.
Marquee sizing: quick answers
What size marquee do I need for 100 guests seated?
Around 140 sqm at 1.4 sqm per guest: typically a 12m × 12m to 12m × 18m frame marquee once you add a dance floor and bar. A 9m-wide structure works for a tighter dinner without dancing.
What size marquee for 60 guests?
Roughly 85 sqm seated with room to move: a 9m × 9m or 9m × 12m frame marquee is the usual answer, stepping up if you want a dance floor inside rather than a separate space.
How much space per person in a marquee?
Use 1.4 sqm per guest for a seated dinner with service space, 0.9 sqm for theatre-style seating, and 0.6 sqm for a standing reception. Add the dance floor, bar and stage on top of the per-guest number.
Do these sizes include the dance floor and bar?
The per-guest ratios cover dining tables and circulation. A dance floor adds about 0.2 sqm per guest, a bar zone 15 to 25 sqm, a stage 20 to 50 sqm: our calculator adds the dance floor when you toggle it.
What about the space around the marquee?
Frame marquees can build tight to boundaries, but traditional pole marquees need roughly 3m of pegging clearance on every side. Caterers also want their tent annexed to one end, so leave a service side.