Wedding Tent Size & Layout Guide
Choosing the right sailcloth marquee for your Gold Coast | Scenic Rim wedding
Choosing the right marquee size is one of the most important decisions when planning an outdoor wedding.
It’s not just about how many guests you’re inviting — it’s about how your day will feel. How the space flows, how your tables are arranged, where people gather, and how everything comes together as the celebration unfolds.
Some weddings are centred around a seated dining experience. Others feel more relaxed and open, with a cocktail-style layout and space to move. Most sit somewhere in between.
This guide is designed to help you understand what’s possible, so you can choose a tent size that feels considered, comfortable, and perfectly suited to your day.
Tent Capacity Guide
A guide to help you choose the right sailcloth marquee size for your guest count and wedding style.
NB. Capacities vary depending on layout and inclusions such as lounge areas, dance floors and bars. The examples below show how the same tent can be configured in different ways.
What size wedding marquee do I need?
10m Round Sailcloth Tent
How many guests fit in a 10m round sailcloth marquee?
A 10m round sailcloth marquee comfortably seats 30–50 seated guests or around 50–80 cocktail-style.
A closer look at layout options...
32 guests — Long tables, bar, and dancing space
A simple layout designed for smaller, more intimate receptions, with everything comfortably contained within the tent.
This layout allows for:
• Family-style dining at long tables (2.4m x 0.8m)
• A bar positioned within the space
• A dedicated area for dancing
• Easy, natural flow between each element
With a smaller guest count, the space feels relaxed and connected — allowing guests to dine, move, and celebrate together.
40 guests — Round tables with a bar
An intimate setting with room for guests to dine, gather, and move naturally throughout the celebration.
This layout allows for:
• Seated dining at round tables (1.8m diameter)
• A bar positioned within the tent
• Comfortable, easy movement between areas
48 guests — Long tables (seated dining focus)
This layout is designed to maximise seating.
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Tables in long rows utilises the space efficiently (this plan is based on 2.4m long x 0.8m wide tables)
A dance floor positioned outdoors under festoon lighting, paired with a vintage mobile bar, can create a natural extension of the space.
50 guests — Round tables (full seated capacity)
The maximum seated capacity using 10 seater (1.8m diameter) round tables.
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Full dining layout
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Designed as a dedicated dining space
With the tent dedicated to dining, you could extend the celebration beyond the tent — adding a dance floor and bar under festoon lighting — allowing the space to flow easily between indoors and out.
50–80 guests — Cocktail-style
A relaxed layout without assigned seating, allowing guests to move freely and connect throughout the celebration.
This layout allows for:
• A bar and an area to dance
• A mix of high bars, casual lounge seating, and open space
• Easy, natural flow between different areas of the tent
Most comfortably suited to around 60–65 guests, though the space can accommodate more if needed.
10m x 16m Sailcloth Tent
How many guests fit in a 10m x 16m sailcloth marquee?
A 10 x 16m sailcloth marquee comfortably suits up to 96 seated guests, around 60–75 with a dance floor, or 80–120 cocktail-style.
A closer look at layout options...
64 guests — Long tables, bar, and dance floor
A layout designed to comfortably accommodate both dining and dancing within the tent.
This layout allows for:
• Family-style dining at long tables (2.4m x 0.8m)
• A bar positioned within the space
• A 4m x 4m dance floor
• Clear, easy movement between areas
68 guests — Round tables, bar, and dance floor
A balanced layout that combines classic round table dining with room to celebrate.
This layout allows for:
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Dining for 60 guests at 1.8m round tables
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A designated bridal table for 8
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A small bar area
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4m x 4m dance floor
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Comfortable circulation throughout
72 guests — Dining with space to dance
A well-balanced layout that comfortably accommodates dining while still allowing space to celebrate.
This layout allows for:
• Seated dining at 2.4m x 0.8m tables
• A dedicated dance floor
• Easy, natural flow between areas
A bar can be included, however space is more limited in this configuration — so a smaller setup or positioning it just outside the tent often works best.
96 guests — Full seated capacity
Designed to comfortably accommodate larger guest numbers within the tent.
This layout allows for:
• A full dining configuration with long rows of tables (2.4m x 0.8m)
• A central bridal table, with the option to create a feature moment above, for example by adding a floating floral installation or pendants.
With the tent dedicated to dining, you could extend the celebration beyond the tent — adding a dance floor and bar under festoon lighting — allowing the space to flow easily between indoors and out.
80–120 guests — Cocktail-style
A relaxed layout without assigned seating, allowing guests to move freely and connect throughout the celebration.
This layout allows for:
• A generous bar and dedicated dance floor
• A mix of high bars, casual lounge seating, and open space
• Most comfortably suited to around 80 - 100 guests, though the space can accommodate more if needed.
This style creates a more social, easygoing atmosphere, with space for mingling, conversation, and dancing as the evening unfolds.
10m x 22m Sailcloth Tent
How many guests fit in a 10m x 22m sailcloth marquee?
A 10 x 22m sailcloth marquee comfortably seats up to 144 seated guests, around 110–120 with a dance floor, or 120–160 cocktail-style.
A closer look at layout options...
112 guests — Round tables with a central dance floor
This layout allows for:
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A long, central bridal table
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Guest dining at round tables (1.8m diameter)
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A central dance floor
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Comfortable movement between areas
The dance floor naturally becomes the heart of the space — drawing guests in as the evening shifts from dinner into dancing, without interrupting the flow of the room. (NB. This layout is better suited to a DJ or smaller entertainment setup as space by the dance floor is limited).
120 guests — Long tables with a dance floor
A structured layout that maximises guest numbers while still allowing room for a dance floor.
This layout allows for:
• Long table dining at 2.4m x 0.8m tables
• A defined dance floor
• Clear, comfortable pathways throughout
Long tables bring a sense of connection and shared experience, while keeping the layout clean and well organised. The dance floor sits naturally within the space — easy to move towards as the evening unfolds, without disrupting the flow of the room.
144 guests — Full seated capacity
Best suited to larger guest lists.
This layout allows for:
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Full dining configuration at 2.4m x 0.8m tables.
Many couples extend the celebration outdoors — with a dance floor under festoon lighting and a bar setup nearby. However, if you’d prefer a more weather-proof option, stepping up to the next size tent will offer greater flexibility.
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120–160 guests — Cocktail-style
A relaxed, open layout designed for a more social and free-flowing celebration.
This layout allows for:
• A central bar positioned for easy access
• A dedicated dance floor
• A mix of high bars, lounge seating, and open space
• Comfortable flow between different areas of the tent
Seating is kept flexible, with a combination of casual lounge areas and smaller table settings, allowing guests to move freely and gather naturally throughout the space.
14m x 20m Sailcloth Tent
How many guests fit in a 14m x 20m sailcloth marquee?
A 14 x 20m sailcloth marquee comfortably seats up to 176 seated guests, around 120–130 with a dance floor, or 160–200 cocktail-style.
A closer look at layout options...
112 guests — Dining, dance floor and bridal table
A well-balanced layout that combines seated dining with a central space to celebrate.
This layout allows for:
• Seated dining at round tables (1.8m diameter)
• A central dance floor
• A defined bridal table
• A dedicated area for a band
• Clear, comfortable flow between spaces
The dance floor sits at the centre, with the band positioned just beyond — creating a natural focal point.
A bar can be positioned just outside the tent, which works particularly well with this layout — keeping the interior spacious while creating a natural flow between indoor and outdoor areas.
128 guests — Dining with a dance floor and bar
A thoughtfully arranged layout that accommodates a higher guest count while keeping each element well placed and easy to move between.
This layout allows for:
• Dining at long tables (2.4m x 0.8m)
• A dedicated bridal table
• A 5m x 5m dance floor
• A bar positioned within the tent
• Space for a band or DJ
• Clear, comfortable flow between areas
With the dance floor and entertainment positioned to one side, the space transitions naturally from dining into dancing. The bar remains within easy reach, without interrupting the overall flow of the layout.
176 guests — Full seated capacity
Designed for larger weddings.
This layout allows for:
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Seated dining focus
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Long table, family-style dining at 2.4m long tables
Many couples extend the celebration outdoors — with a dance floor under festoon lighting and a bar setup nearby. However, if you’d prefer a more weather-proof option, stepping up to the next size tent will offer greater flexibility.
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160–200 guests — Cocktail-style
A relaxed, open layout that brings together dining, dancing, and social spaces in a natural, easy-flowing way.
This layout allows for:
• A central dance floor
• A bar positioned within the tent
• A dedicated area for a band
• A mix of high bars, casual seating, and lounge space
• Comfortable movement between different areas
Lounge seating and smaller tables are arranged around the space, creating pockets for conversation, while the dance floor and band form a natural focal point at the centre of the celebration.
14m x 26m Sailcloth Tent
How many guests fit in a 14m x 26m sailcloth marquee?
A 14 x 26m sailcloth marquee comfortably seats up to 256 seated guests, around 180–200 with a dance floor, or 200–300 cocktail-style.
A closer look at layout options...
152 guests — Dining with a dance floor and bar
A spacious layout designed for larger weddings under the soaring peaks of our triple pole sailcloth tent.
This layout allows for:
• A feature bridal table seating 12
• Seated guest dining at round tables (1.8m diameter)
• A 5m x 5m dance floor
• A bar positioned within the space
• Dedicated space for musicians or a band
• Clear, comfortable flow between all areas
188 guests — Mix of round and long tables with a large dance floor
An elegant layout designed to maintain a sense of space.
This layout allows for:
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Round and long table dining
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A bridal table for 12 people
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A large 7m x 5m dance floor
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An elegant and spacious overall feel
204 guests — Dining with a dance floor
Long rows of tables maximises the seating under the tent for your guests.
This layout allows for:
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Long table dining
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A bridal table for 12 people
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A large 7m x 5m dance floor
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An elegant and spacious overall feel
256 guests — Full seated capacity
A layout designed to maximise capacity.
This layout allows for:
• Full dining at long tables (2.4m x 0.8m)
• Clear, considered movement between table rows
With the tent fully dedicated to dining, the result is a striking, beautifully filled space — ideal for larger guest lists where a shared dining experience is the focus.
The celebration can be extended outdoors — with a dance floor under festoon lighting and a bar setup nearby. Or, for a more weather-proof option, a Connector Sail can join a smaller tent to house a separate bar, casual lounge area and dance floor.
200–300 guests — Cocktail-style
A spacious, open layout designed for larger celebrations, where movement and connection are at the centre of the experience.
This layout allows for:
• Flexible seating and standing areas throughout the space
• A centrally positioned round bar
• A mix of high bars, casual lounge seating, and open floor space
• A generous dance floor
• Easy, natural flow between all areas
With fewer fixed elements, the space feels dynamic and considered — allowing guests to move freely, gather in different pockets, and engage with the celebration as it unfolds.
200–300 guests — Cocktail-style
An expansive, open-plan layout designed to accommodate larger guest numbers while maintaining a sense of ease and movement throughout the space.
This layout allows for:
• Flexible seating and standing areas
• A centrally positioned bar for easy access
• A generous 7m x 5m dance floor
• Lounge and high bar areas for relaxed gathering
• Clear, natural flow across the entire tent
Still not sure which size tent is right for your wedding?
Simply download our Pricing & Layout Guide. Then, if you’re still unsure, simply complete the short questionnaire using the link in your email and select “I’m not sure.” We’ll come back to you with thoughtful options and guidance tailored to your plans.