Setting Up Tables and Chairs for an Event

Published on:
March 8, 2024
A party planner is checking to see how many tables and chairs are needed for a large event

Spring, summer, and autumn are all great seasons for planning events. Company picnics, weddings, graduations, and other large events can be tricky to plan, especially if you’re new to it. We’re the premier party rental company for the Nashville area and we’re going to give you some professional party planning tips and guidelines for how many tables and chairs you’ll need for your event. Between the budgeting, food, activities, and decor, your seating arrangements will be one less thing to worry about. 

How Many Guests Will Show?

This is an important question you need to answer before renting tables and chairs. In general, most party planners should assume that 70%-85% of guests will come to the event. However, this will also depend on the weather and your guests. If you haven’t already sent out invitations, it’s a great idea to ask for an RSVP by a specific date. When planning events like a wedding, the RSVP list is a critical part of arranging assigned seats, deciding how many tables you need, and making sure there is plenty of food and drinks for everyone. 

Calculating How Many Tables

If your event is going to be held indoors, be sure to find out the maximum number of people the room can accommodate before inviting your guests. An outdoor setting will typically have much more leeway. Next, you’ll need to decide what size and shape tables you want. Event planners typically go with folding plastic tables because they are lightweight and easy to store. The plain plastic tops can easily be dressed up with plastic disposable table covers or fabric tablecloths. Below are guidelines for how many guests can be seated at different styles of tables. 

How many guests at round tables:

How many guests at rectangular tables:

How many guests at square tables:

Once you have your attending guest list hammered out, you can start to calculate how many tables you will need. Here are some common examples: 

What Is the Minimum Space Between Banquet Tables and Chairs?

Finding how many tables and chairs you will need is key, but you’ll also want to plan for adequate space in between so your guests have plenty of room to move about and mingle. Here are some guidelines to help keep your guests comfortable within their personal space.

A banquet event is being held in a barn setting

Configuring the Layout for Tables

When you’ve decided how many tables and chairs you will need, you’ll have to figure out how to arrange them within your dedicated space. As experienced party rental professionals for the Nashville area, we often use common layouts that are simple for anyone to follow:

Other Event Furniture and Accessories

As one of the top party rental companies for Nashville, we know your event will need some extra furniture depending on the occasion. For corporate events, we highly recommend cocktail tables and adult beverage bars. For weddings, you’ll probably also want to utilize bars and a dance floor for all the traditional wedding dances. 

If you don’t want the weather to put a damper on your outdoor event, consider renting party tents that are professionally delivered, set up, and removed once the event has ended. Outdoor events that are held during chilly times of the year can benefit from the use of patio heaters and portable fire pits. Likewise, in the hot depths of summer, you may want fans and tent air conditioners for your guests’ comfort.  

We hope these guidelines for how many tables and chairs are needed at events have been helpful. If you are looking for more advice about renting party supplies in the Nashville area, contact us at Ultimate Party Tents & Events. We’ll be happy to help make sure you have everything you need to impress your guests and make your event run as smoothly as possible.

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Spring, summer, and autumn are all great seasons for planning events. Company picnics, weddings, graduations, and other large events can be tricky to plan, especially if you’re new to it. We’re the premier party rental company for the Nashville area and we’re going to give you some professional party planning tips and guidelines for how many tables and chairs you’ll need for your event. Between the budgeting, food, activities, and decor, your seating arrangements will be one less thing to worry about. 

How Many Guests Will Show?

This is an important question you need to answer before renting tables and chairs. In general, most party planners should assume that 70%-85% of guests will come to the event. However, this will also depend on the weather and your guests. If you haven’t already sent out invitations, it’s a great idea to ask for an RSVP by a specific date. When planning events like a wedding, the RSVP list is a critical part of arranging assigned seats, deciding how many tables you need, and making sure there is plenty of food and drinks for everyone. 

Calculating How Many Tables

If your event is going to be held indoors, be sure to find out the maximum number of people the room can accommodate before inviting your guests. An outdoor setting will typically have much more leeway. Next, you’ll need to decide what size and shape tables you want. Event planners typically go with folding plastic tables because they are lightweight and easy to store. The plain plastic tops can easily be dressed up with plastic disposable table covers or fabric tablecloths. Below are guidelines for how many guests can be seated at different styles of tables. 

How many guests at round tables:

How many guests at rectangular tables:

How many guests at square tables:

Once you have your attending guest list hammered out, you can start to calculate how many tables you will need. Here are some common examples: 

What Is the Minimum Space Between Banquet Tables and Chairs?

Finding how many tables and chairs you will need is key, but you’ll also want to plan for adequate space in between so your guests have plenty of room to move about and mingle. Here are some guidelines to help keep your guests comfortable within their personal space.

A banquet event is being held in a barn setting

Configuring the Layout for Tables

When you’ve decided how many tables and chairs you will need, you’ll have to figure out how to arrange them within your dedicated space. As experienced party rental professionals for the Nashville area, we often use common layouts that are simple for anyone to follow:

Other Event Furniture and Accessories

As one of the top party rental companies for Nashville, we know your event will need some extra furniture depending on the occasion. For corporate events, we highly recommend cocktail tables and adult beverage bars. For weddings, you’ll probably also want to utilize bars and a dance floor for all the traditional wedding dances. 

If you don’t want the weather to put a damper on your outdoor event, consider renting party tents that are professionally delivered, set up, and removed once the event has ended. Outdoor events that are held during chilly times of the year can benefit from the use of patio heaters and portable fire pits. Likewise, in the hot depths of summer, you may want fans and tent air conditioners for your guests’ comfort.  

We hope these guidelines for how many tables and chairs are needed at events have been helpful. If you are looking for more advice about renting party supplies in the Nashville area, contact us at Ultimate Party Tents & Events. We’ll be happy to help make sure you have everything you need to impress your guests and make your event run as smoothly as possible.


Michelle Fuqua

Michelle has been in the event rentals business since 2008 when she started The Ultimate Party Store to provide affordable and high-quality party decorations for any event. After dabbling in providing table and chair rentals, Michelle opened Ultimate Party Tents and Events, fully committing to providing everything anyone would need for an event in the Nashville-Hendersonville area. As a local business owner, she gives back to her community by volunteering her time to local organizations and events.