GETTA Help
What size marquee do I need?
Guest numbers are only the starting point. The right marquee must accommodate how people will use it, all supporting spaces and the site itself. Ask a hire company to turn a clear event plan into a proposed layout.
Start with the event format
- Maximum guest count, including children where relevant
- A seated meal, informal seating, standing reception or a mixture
- Round, rectangular or long communal tables
- Whether ceremony, meal and evening entertainment share the same space
- How much circulation room and accessibility space guests need
Include everything that occupies floor space
A guest-only calculation can underestimate the structure. Include a dance floor, stage or DJ, bar, buffet, cake table, cloak area, entrance, toilets or connecting walkways where applicable. Catering teams may need a separate preparation or service area.
Plan for the site and weather
- Have the usable ground measured rather than relying on the garden’s overall dimensions.
- Identify slopes, trees, overhead cables, buried services, drains and restricted access.
- Ask how anchoring works on the surface and what vehicle access installation requires.
- Discuss wind and severe-weather policies, heating, ventilation, flooring and wet-weather entrances.
Ask for a scaled layout
Capacity tables are useful starting points, not universal promises. Ask the supplier for a layout showing tables, chairs, aisles, exits and every feature in your brief. Confirm the final structure dimensions, setup area and any space required around it before booking.