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Silverfern Marquees

Marquee Planning & Size Guide

Everything you need to choose the perfect marquee for your wedding, corporate event, or private celebration.

Planning your event

What Size Marquee Do I Need?

The size of marquee you need depends on your guest count and event style. As a general rule, allow 1.5–2 m² per person for a seated wedding reception, 0.75–1 m² for a standing cocktail event, and a little extra whenever you're adding a dance floor, catering station, or stage.

Seated Dinner
1.5 – 2 m²

per guest
Round or long tables

Cocktail / Standing
0.75 – 1 m²

per guest
Mingling & canapés

Dance Floor Add-on
+15 – 20 m²

for up to 80 guests
Scale up for larger groups

Catering / Buffet
+10 – 15 m²

for servery & kitchen
Allow extra for staff

These figures are starting points. Every event is different, a wedding with a live band, a head table, and a gift station will need more room than a simple seated dinner. We always recommend adding a 10–15% buffer so your guests feel comfortable rather than cramped. If you're unsure, our calculator below will give you a personalised recommendation in seconds.

Common marquee sizes at a glance
Guests Seated (round tables) Cocktail / Standing Suggested size
30 – 40 6m × 9m 6m × 6m 6m × 9m
50 – 60 6m × 12m 6m × 9m 6m × 12m
80 – 100 10m × 15m 6m × 15m 10m × 15m
120 – 150 10m × 20m 10m × 15m 10m × 20m
180 – 200 10m × 30m 10m × 20m 10m × 30m
Our Range

Our most-hired marquee widths — perfect for weddings, corporate events, and large celebrations.

Size Helper

Quick Size Guide

Not sure which marquee fits your guest list? Use these quick answers to narrow down your size — then use the calculator below for a precise recommendation.

Use the Calculator

What size marquee do I need for 40 guests?

For 40 seated guests, a 6 m × 9 m (54 m²) or 5 m × 10 m (50 m²) marquee fits comfortably. Need space for a bar or buffet? Step up to a 6 m × 12 m (72 m²).

SizeAreaSeated Guests
6 m × 9 m54 m²Up to 45
6 m × 12 m72 m²Up to 60

What size marquee do I need for 60 guests?

A 6 m × 12 m (72 m²) marquee seats 60 guests. For a bar, buffet, or dance floor, choose a 6 m × 15 m (90 m²).

SizeAreaSeated Guests
6 m × 12 m72 m²Up to 60
6 m × 15 m90 m²Up to 75

What size marquee do I need for 100 guests?

A 6 m × 18 m (108 m²) seats around 90–100 guests. Add extras and step up to a 6 m × 21 m (126 m²) for breathing room.

SizeAreaSeated Guests
6 m × 18 m108 m²Up to 90
6 m × 21 m126 m²Up to 105

What size marquee do I need for 150 guests?

A 10 m × 15 m (150 m²) is ideal for 150 seated guests. For a dance floor and bar, a 10 m × 20 m (200 m²) gives comfortable space for all.

SizeAreaSeated Guests
10 m × 15 m150 m²Up to 134 (round tables)
10 m × 20 m200 m²Up to 178 (round tables)

What size marquee do I need for 200 guests?

A 10 m × 20 m (200 m²) fits 200 guests. For a full wedding with dance floor and catering, a 15 m × 15 m (225 m²) is the better choice.

SizeAreaSeated Guests
10 m × 20 m200 m²Up to 178 (round tables)
15 m × 15 m225 m²Up to 201 (round tables)
Step 1

Marquee Size Calculator

Choose your layout and add extras — we'll suggest the right clearspan size. You can always adjust on your quote.

Guest & Layout Details

~30–40% of guests dance at once.
0% 15% recommended 30%
View All Marquees Request a Quote
Result: Enter your details above and click Calculate.
Planning tip: Remember to allow extra space for performance areas, stages, bands, catering kitchens, serveries, dance floors, and exit ways.
Assumptions & Notes
  • Seated banquet: ~1.2 m²/guest | Cocktail: ~0.7 m²/guest | Theatre: ~0.8 m²/guest
  • Add dance floor, bar, staging and your circulation buffer to the total area.
  • Sizes are indicative; we confirm on-site (access, terrain, wind loading, anchoring).

Last updated:

Step 2

Seating Capacity Chart

Compare every marquee size against six common event configurations to find the right fit for your guest list.

Marquee Size Area (m²) Standing Buffet Theatre Long Tables Round Tables
6m Width Marquees
6m × 6m 36 54 47 54 36 32
6m × 9m 54 81 70 81 54 48
6m × 12m 72 108 94 108 72 64
6m × 15m 90 135 117 135 90 80
6m × 18m 108 162 140 162 108 96
6m × 21m 126 189 164 189 126 112
10m Width Marquees
10m × 10m 100 150 130 150 100 89
10m × 15m 150 225 195 225 150 134
10m × 20m 200 300 260 300 200 178
10m × 25m 250 375 325 375 250 223
10m × 30m 300 450 390 450 300 267
10m × 35m 350 525 455 525 350 312
15m Width Marquees
15m × 10m 150 225 195 225 150 134
15m × 15m 225 339 294 339 226 201
15m × 20m 300 450 390 450 300 267
15m × 25m 375 558 484 558 372 331
15m × 30m 450 675 585 675 450 401
15m × 35m 525 789 684 789 481 468

Capacities are a guide only. Allow extra space for service areas, dance floors, and exit ways.

Layout Guide

Table Definitions

S

Standing Events

Casual marquee functions with no formal seating. Allows for maximum movement and flow. Remember to add space for bar & food service areas inside the marquee.

B

Buffet

Guests seated at trestle tables for a formal meal. Remember to add space for the buffet line and bar & food service areas inside the marquee.

L

Long Tables

Our standard long table configuration, 8 guests per table. A popular choice for communal wedding dining. Remember to add space for service areas.

R

Round Tables

Our standard round table configuration, 8 guests per table. The classic wedding layout. Round tables require slightly more circulation space than long trestles.

Planning FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need extra space for accessways and catering?
    Yes, budget 8–12 m² per service zone (bar, servery, DJ or stage). Add 10–30% extra space to ensure guests can move comfortably and avoid a cramped feel. Allow additional floor area so aisles, catering, and styling don't restrict movement.
  • How much space per seated guest?
    Allow 1.2 m² per seated guest at banqueting tables, increasing if you add a dance floor, staging, or wider aisles. Cocktail events can work at 0.7 m²/guest; theatre-style at 0.8 m²/guest.
  • What is the difference between long and round table layouts?
    Long (trestle) tables seat guests in rows and are very space-efficient. Round tables create a more intimate atmosphere but require slightly more floor area per guest due to the circular footprint and wider aisles needed between them.
  • Can I mix layouts, e.g. round tables plus a dance floor?
    Absolutely. Use the calculator above to combine your seated guest count with a dance floor size and any service extras. We'll suggest a marquee that comfortably fits everything, and you can fine-tune on your quote.
For Developers & Bloggers

Embed Our Calculator on Your Site

Help your audience plan events, add our free marquee size calculator to your website with attribution. Perfect for wedding blogs, venue directories, and event planners.

Option A — iFrame

<iframe src="https://www.silverfernmarquees.co.nz/widgets/marquee-size-guide" width="100%" height="720" style="border:0;max-width:720px"></iframe>

Option B — JS Embed

<div id="sf-size-guide"></div>
<script async src="https://www.silverfernmarquees.co.nz/static/widget/size-guide.js" data-target="sf-size-guide"></script>

Attribution required. By embedding this widget you agree to display a visible link to silverfernmarquees.co.nz.