Picking the right size tent for your event in Mississauga or the GTA can feel like a huge decision, right? If it’s too small, your guests will feel cramped. If it’s too big, the party can feel a little empty.
But don’t worry, we’re going to make this simple. This guide will walk you through an easy, step-by-step process to find the perfect tent for your day. We’ll show you how to use a standard capacity chart and, more importantly, how to account for all the fun stuff—from the dance floor to the buffet line!
Chapter 1: Find Your Starting Point with Our Capacity Chart
The best place to begin is with a quick look at a capacity chart. This gives you a ballpark idea of how many guests can fit in different tent sizes.
Just find your guest count in the chart below to get a baseline for the tent size you’ll need.
Tent Capacity Chart (Guests per Tent Size)
(Based on the attached image)
Click here to download tent chart PDF file
Heads Up! This chart is just for guests and tables. It doesn’t include space for a dance floor, stage, bar, or buffet line. The number you see here is your starting point, not your final answer!
Chapter 2: Plan for the Fun Stuff (The Space Everyone Forgets!)
This is the secret to getting it right. To find the real tent size you need, you have to add extra space for everything else happening at your party.
The Dance Floor What’s a celebration without a dance floor? A good rule of thumb is that about 40% of your guests will be dancing at any one time. Each person needs about 4.5 square feet to bust a move comfortably.
- Quick Math for 100 Guests: (100 guests × 0.4) × 4.5 sq. ft. = 180 sq. ft. (That’s a cozy 12’x15′ dance floor).
Catering and Buffet Tables If you’re having a buffet, you need room for the tables and for a line to form without causing a traffic jam.
- Our Recommendation: Add at least 150-200 sq. ft. for a standard buffet setup.
The Bar Area The bar is always a popular spot! It needs space for the bartenders, supplies, and a place for guests to wait for a drink without blocking the whole party.
- Our Recommendation: For a 100-150 guest event, plan for about 100-150 sq. ft. for the bar.
Chapter 3: Let’s Put It All Together (A Real-World Example)
Okay, let’s figure out the real tent size for a wedding with 100 guests who will be dining, dancing, and hitting the buffet. For weddings, your layout will be more complex. See our guide to designing wedding tent layouts for specific ideas.
- Seating Area: Looking at our chart, 100 guests at round tables need a tent that fits at least 110 people to be safe. A 30’x40′ (1200 sq. ft.) is a great starting point.
- Dance Floor: From our math above, we need 180 sq. ft.
- Buffet & Bar: Let’s budget a combined 300 sq. ft. to give everyone plenty of room.
Let’s do the final math: 1200 (seating) + 180 (dancing) + 300 (food/bar) = 1,680 sq. ft. needed.
See? When you look back at the chart, that 1,680 sq. ft. means you should actually be looking at a 40’x40′ (1,600 sq. ft.) or even a 30’x60′ (1,800 sq. ft.) tent to make sure your party is a huge success.
By planning for your activities—not just your guest count—you guarantee a great flow and a comfortable space for everyone. Now that you’re an expert on sizing, the fun part begins! Go ahead and explore our full range of tents to find the perfect style for your event.
Curious how choosing a larger tent impacts the final price? Our guide to tent rental costs breaks it all down.
