EVENT CAPACITY GUIDES

Choosing the right equipment can sometimes be challenging and varies based on many factors and requirements for each event. We have provided some tables with information that can serve as general guidelines to help you get started. We hope you find this information helpful. Please call us if you have any questions or if you need any assistance in determining the right size and style of equipment to fit your event.

STEP 1:

Okay, so you’ve been teetering with the idea of needing a tent for your next event, the first thing you need to figure out is what kind of tent are you wanting. Chicagoland Event Rentals has three types of tents: Pole Tents, Frame Tents and Pop Up Tents.

Pole Tents also known as tension tents, tend to be more elegant than the Frame and Pop Up Tent. They consist of a higher peaks and dips and require putting stakes into the ground and hoisting the canopy up with the large center piece poles. Very Similar to how you would imagine a circus tent going up! Pole Tents can only be placed on grass. Most event hosts go with the Pole Tent because of the classic look that they give both on the exterior and on the interior.

Frame Tents are free standing structures that can go on grass, concrete, asphalt., decks, and rooftops! There are no center poles that block the view of the inside, unlike the pole tents. Aluminum poles are visible in the interior roof of the tent.

STEP 2:

Once you have decided what kind of tent you want for your event, it is now time to determine what the guest count will be for your event.

STEP 3:

Once the tentative guest count is made, the next step is to specify what type of event you are hosting.

The chart below helps give you an approximate number of the required square footage you will need per guest depending on the kind of event you are hosting.

EVENT TYPE SQ. FEET PER PERSON
Cocktail Parties and ReceptionsStanding Room Only8 sq. ft. per person
Partial Seating10 sq. ft. per person
Dining & Banquet Seating6’x2.5’ Banquet Table10-12 sq. ft. per person
8’x2.5’ Banquet Table10-12 sq. ft. per person
4-5’ Round Table15 sq. ft. per person
5.5-6’ Round Table15 sq. ft. per person
Theater Style & Classroom Style SeatingTables & Chairs in Rows8 sq. ft. per person
Additional SpaceDance Floor2-4 sq. ft. per person
Bar100 sq. ft. per bar
Buffet100 sq. ft. per table
Band25 sq. ft. per person
Disk Jockey50 sq. ft. per table

Maximum Capacity per Tent Size:

Note: These are maximum capacity. If buffet tables, dance floor, etc. will be put under the tents as well, that will reduce the number of guest tables that the tent will accommodate.

10′ x 10′ Tent
1 – 6 round tables (seats 10)
1 – 5 round tables (seats 8)
 6 x 30 tables (seats 16)
10′ x 20′ Tent
2 – 6 round tables (seats 20)
 5 round tables plus 1- 8 x 30 table (seats 16)
 6 x 30 tables (seats 24)
10′ x 30′ Tent
 6 round tables (seats 30)
 5 round tables plus 1- 8 x 30 table (seats 24)
 6 x 30 tables (seats 32)
20′ x 20′ Tent or 10′ x 40′ Tent
 6 round tables (seats 40)
5 – 5 round tables (seats 40)
 8 x 30 tables (seats 54)
20′ x 30′ Tent
 6 round tables (seats 60)
 5 round tables (seats 64)
 8 x 30 tables (seats 78)
20′ x 40′ Tent
 6 round tables (seats 80)
10  5 round tables (seat 80)
12  8 x 30 tables (seat 108)
40′ x 40′ Tent
16  6 round tables (seats 160)
20  5 round tables (seats 160)
24  8 x 30 tables (seats 216)
40′ x 60′ Tent
24  6 round tables (seats 240)
30  5 round tables (seats 240)
36  8 x 30 tables (seats 324)
40′ x 80′ Tent
32  6 round tables (seats 320)
40  5 round tables (seats 320)
48  8 x 30 tables (seats 432)

 

DANCE FLOOR SIZING CHART

Floor Size

Square FeetCapacity3×3 people
9’x9’81189
9’x12’1082412
9’x15’1353015
12’x12’1443216
12’x15’1804020
12’x18’2164824
15’x15’2255025
15’x18’2706030
15’x21’3157035
18’x18’3247236
18’x21’3788442
18’x24’4329648
21’x21’4419649
21’x24’50411256
21’x27’56712663
24’x24’57612664
24’x27’64814472
24’x3027016080

As a rule of thumb if you are having an event for 100 people than no more than 50% of the total number of people will be dancing at one time. So if you are planning for a party of 100 guest than you should expect to have a 15×15 dance floor since it holds a capacity of 50 people.

STEP 4:

Add up the total square footage that you and your quest will need for your event

STEP 5:

We have provided a chart that you can cross reference for the required square footage for your event. If your total of required space falls between two tent sizes we always suggest to go with the larger tent. It’s always better to have extra space than to be in a crowded space.

Tent SizeSquare Footage Provided
10’x10’100 sq. ft.
15’x15’225 sq. ft.
20’x20’400 sq. ft.
20’x30’600 sq. ft.
20’x40’800 sq. ft.
30’x30’900 sq. ft.
30’x40’1200 sq. ft.
30’x45’1350 sq. ft.
30’x50’1500 sq. ft.
40’x40’1600 sq. ft.
30’x60’1800 sq. ft.
30’x70’2100 sq. ft.
30’x80’2400 sq. ft.
40’x60’2400 sq. ft.
40’x80’3200 sq. ft.
40’x1004000 sq. ft.
40’x1204800 sq. ft.
40’x140’5600 sq. ft.

 

STEP 6:

Call Chicagoland Event Rentals

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