Marquee Capacity Guide

Choosing the right marquee size is crucial for ensuring your event runs smoothly. Whether you're hosting a wedding, corporate function, festival, or private party, getting the correct capacity means your guests are comfortable and there’s enough space for tables, dance floors, and walkways.

This guide will help you determine the perfect marquee size for standing guests, seated dining, or mixed-use layouts with furniture, using a practical approach based on real-world usage.

Standing Capacity – How Many People Fit in a Marquee for a Standing Event?

Standing events are the easiest to calculate because each person requires roughly 0.75m² of space. This means that if you take the total square meterage of a marquee, you can divide it by 0.75 to get a rough standing capacity. However, factors like bars, catering stations, or lounge areas will reduce this number.

Here’s a general capacity estimate for various marquee sizes:

Small Capacity Marquees

Seating Capacity – How Many Guests Can Be Seated in a Marquee?

Seated events require more space per person. The setup style impacts this:

• Banquet seating (round tables): ~1.5m² per guest

• Theatre seating (rows of chairs): ~1m² per guest

• Conference seating (long tables): ~1.2m² per guest

  
  

Large Capacity Marquees

Capacity with Furniture – Accounting for Bars, Catering, and More

Adding furniture means reducing available standing or seating space. Here’s an idea of how much space common elements require:

• Bar area: 3m x 3m per bar section

• Dance floor: 3m x 3m for every 15-20 dancing guests

• Buffet station: 3m x 2m per 50 guests

• Lounge area: 3m x 3m per 6 seated guests

If you're planning a wedding or corporate event, allow at least 30% extra space for a comfortable layout.

Extra Large Capacity Marquees

Visualising the Right Size – Mapping Your Marquee Space

Getting a full size visual of the space you're filling will help to put the area into context.

6m x 12m might sound like plenty for your event, but once you start to fill it with furniture, guests and possibly waiting staff, it can shrink quite quickly.

To get a feel for how a marquee will fit your space, try this:

• Use chalk, rope, or tape to outline the marquee footprint in your garden, field, or venue space.

• Think about guest movement – allow space for entrances, walkways, and emergency exits.

• Consider extras like catering, bars, and entertainment areas to avoid overcrowding.

  
  

  Then mark out spaces for the areas you need to create, such as dining areas, dancefloors, bars etc.

  If you don't have ready access to the large space you need to fill, then just get a pad and pen, or a computer programme like Excel, and create it in a smaller format.

  
  

Finding the right marquee size isn’t just about cramming in as many guests as possible—it’s about creating an experience. Whether you're hosting a lively standing event, a formal seated affair, or a fully kitted-out function with bars, dancefloors, and lounge areas, the right planning makes all the difference. With Fusion Modular Marquees, you have the flexibility to expand as needed, and with gutters and linked structures, even traditional marquees can cover vast areas.

Take the time to map out your space, consider your layout, and ensure there’s room to breathe. A well-planned marquee doesn’t just fit your guests—it enhances the event itself.

Need Help Choosing the Right Marquee?

We know that getting the size right can be tricky, so if you're unsure, get in touch with our expert team for tailored advice.