Tent Sizing
Determining what size tent you will need starts with the number of people that will be attending your event and what activity is taking place. Most events will involve a meal with tables and seating. Calculating the size tent necessary requires you take the number of guests attending and multiply by the square footage requirements for the activity. For example, if you had 48 guests gathering for a sit down meal you would multiply 48 x 12.5 sq. ft. / person which equals 600sq. ft.. Therefore, a 20’ x 30’ tent at 600sq. ft. would seem the perfect size. However, if there is a bar area or serving tables under the tent, then the tent will have to be larger such as a 20’ x 40’ to accommodate these other activities. Sometimes more than one size tent will accommodate the same amount of people such as a 30’ x 40’ or 20’ x 60’. In these cases the tent site may limit you to one or the other. Generally speaking, long and narrow tents are not as desirable as more equally proportioned ones.
Visualizing the layout of the tent is easier if a scaled drawing is created like the one above. Keep in mind that each 5’ round tables and it’s accompaniment of chairs is going to take up a 10’ x10’ area. A 20’ wide tent will allow for two rows side by side, a 30’ wide tent – 3 rows, and a 40’ wide tent – 4 rows. First, draw out the perimeter of the tent, preferably on graph paper. Next mark out 10’ segments in both directions along the edge of the tent. You now have a scaled drawing broken up into 10’ x 10’ “boxes”. In each “box” you’ll fit a 5’ round and 8 chairs comfortably (10 chairs max). Dance floors, bars and serving areas should fall into their own “box” which will displace the seating table and chairs. Tents are expandable in length by 10’ increments. If more room is required, add another series of “boxes” to the end of tent. Accessory tents, starting at 10’ x 10’, may be utilized for cocktail areas, food preparation or entertainment. A tent layout should also indicate where power is going to be derived from and where people will be entering into the tent.
There are several other things to consider when planning an outside event and we would like to mention a few. If there is any question of underground utilities present where the tent is to be staked a call to Dig Safe is necessary (1-888-DIG-SAFE). Depending on the size and location of the tent, a building permit may be required. Permits must be pulled by owner of the property. A copy of the tent fabric’s certificate of flame resistance is available upon request. Sometimes it is also necessary for us provide you with our certificate of workers compensation and liability insurance. Our crews must be made aware of the location of underground sprinkler and electrical lines and, in some cases, overhead electrical lines and tree branches must be considered. In most cases if there is a concern as to whether or not a tent will fit, we can provide a free site visit.
The activity taking place under the tent determines the square footage requirements per person. The following is a list of square footage requirements per person for a variety of activities typically taking place under tents.
Theater seating (chairs in rows)
Standing cocktail party……………….6 sq. ft. / person
Banquet seating
Rectangular tables……………………8 sq. ft. / person
5’ round tables
10 per table………………………………10sq. ft. / person
8 per table*………………………………12 sq. ft. / person
* recommended for served meals and weddings
Dance floors, buffet areas, bars, and DJ’s all take away from usable seating space and must be considered when sizing a tent. The following is a list of square footage requirements for varies activities. Please note these are estimates and we recommend that you create a scaled drawing for your event.
Dance area…………………………………2-4 sq. ft. / person
Bar or DJ..……………………………………………………50 sq. ft.
Buffet area…………………………………100 sq. ft. / table