Unpredictable weather at your outdoor event doesn’t have to be the end of the world—and it doesn’t even have to be the end of the event. Investing in the right outdoor canopy tent can add elegance and style to your outdoor space while providing a natural safeguard against unfavorable conditions like rain or a harsh UV index.
Below, we’ll cover many of the options you’ll likely see on the market today and guide you through finding the just-right tent size, so you can rest easy when your big day arrives.
Why is Tent Sizing Important?
With so many functional style options on the market today (and so much to consider when it comes to planning your event), any person may be tempted to skip over the sizing process entirely and just click “buy now” on whatever looks best in the promotional photos.
But tent sizing can have a major impact on setting the tone and feel of your event:
- Choose a large tent that is too big for comfort, and you risk giving your party an empty or spiritless atmosphere.
- Choose something too small, and your guests might feel overcrowded—or worse, they might not fit at all, leaving them scrambling for cover in the event of a sudden rainstorm.
It’s also important to consider whether your tent will even fit in your space. It’s a smart idea to physically visit your outdoor space before the big day and visualize where you’d like a tent to be placed, then measure the dimensions of that area in advance.
If you’re looking for other smaller structures, you may opt for a pergola or gazebo. Learn more about the differences between a pergola vs gazebo to determine which is better for your space.
Which Factors Affect the Tent Size You Need?
From the season of your event to how many guests you’re planning on inviting, there are a number of factors to mull over when determining “what size tent do I need?” Here are some of the most important considerations, along with what they’ll mean for your ideal tent sizing:
- Type of event – A good way to break down the type of event you’re planning is to consider what kind of food and atmosphere you’re planning to serve your guests. Are you planning to include a buffet or bar? Do you want to include a dance floor? If so, you’ll likely want to air on the side of a larger tent to ensure that you can fit everything inside the tent space.
- Seating vs. standing – This point plays into the note above. A larger tent is optimal if you’re planning on hosting a formal dinner with guests seated under the tent. On the other hand, a cocktail party might not require as many seating arrangement options, and a smaller tent can provide the kind of fun, standing-room-only atmosphere your guests will reminisce about for years. You may also consider cocktail tables to enhance free-standing areas while adhering to space requirements.
- Time of year – Different seasons can demand different accommodations. As Katie Bianco at Wedding Wire points out, you need to factor in a heating solution like propane heaters if you’re hosting an event in the dead of winter (and likewise for air conditioning in the summer). If you’re planning to include AC units or space heaters, opt for a larger tent with more height, so your guests don’t feel crowded by these accommodations.
- Number of guests – Without a doubt, your total guest count is the most important factor to think about when selecting an event tent. Knowing how many guests will attend allows you to see how many chairs and tables are necessary to fit within your event tent. We’ll dive into specific dimensions based on a few hypothetical guest totals in the next section.
Choosing the Perfect Tent for Your Number of Guests
When choosing the best size for an outdoor tent, RSVPs are your best friend. Even for a more informal event where you’re not planning to request formal RSVPs, it’s a savvy idea to ask people to confirm with you if they plan on attending.
Once you know how many guests to plan for, you can start plotting out square footage. Here are some guest totals best suited for the tent sizes currently offered by ALEKO.
#1 10 X 20 Feet Tent – 30 Guests Standing or 15 Guests Seated
A small tent is best for more intimate gatherings. The 10 X 20 ft. tent is best left for cocktail mixers with 30 or fewer guests. It can also provide a cozy dinner setting for 15 of your closest friends and family members.
#2 20 X 14 Feet Tent – 40 Guests Standing or 20 Guests Seated
Slightly larger than the 10 X 20 ft. option, a 20 X 14 ft. tent can accommodate a larger party and cover more floor space. It also makes for an appropriate upgrade for a small event if you require extra space for a stage, buffet, or bar.
#3 13 X 26 Feet Tent – 50 Guests Standing or 25 Guests Seated
The 13 X 26 ft. tent is a happy medium that can comfortably serve 50 guests in a cocktail setting or 25 guests in a dinner.
#4 20 X 30 Feet Tent – 100 Guests Standing or 50 Guests Seated
A common question we receive is “what size tent for 100 guests?” The 20 X 30 ft. tent is well-matched for a social, mixer-themed, 100-guest event. Alternatively, it can comfortably seat 50 guests in a more formal dinner-party setting.
#5 20 X 40 Feet Tent – 130 Guests Standing or 65 Guests Seated
With an impressive total of 800 square feet to work with, the 20 X 40 ft. tent makes an excellent venue for large weddings or family reunions. 65 guests can be comfortably seated in these dimensions, or 130 can gather on a dance floor before mingling over appetizers and cocktails.
Make Lasting Memories Under an ALEKO Tent
Planning a memorable, carefully curated event isn’t easy, and rarely comes with the thanks it deserves. But when everything goes off without a hitch, you’ll be taking home something far more valuable than your guests’ gratitude: memories to cherish for years to come.
Opt for ALEKO’s heavy duty canopy tents or aluminum pergolas, and you’ll always have a place to make new memories. Our event tents are made to stand up to the elements without sacrificing guest count, elegance, or ease of use. For reliable tents when you need them most, choose ALEKO.
Contact us today to learn more about what tent is best for you!
Sources:
Wedding Wire. 11 Factors to Consider Before Planning a Tented Wedding. https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/factors-to-consider-before-you-plan-a-tented-wedding/
