What Size Marquee Do I Need? An Aussie Guest-Count Guide
Picking a marquee size is the one thing people get wrong — too small and your guests are shoulder-to-shoulder in the rain; too big and you've overspent. This is the straight-talking, metric, Australian guide to getting it right the first time. (Want the instant answer? Try our marquee size calculator.)
The simple rule: space per person
How much room each guest needs depends entirely on what they're doing:
- Standing / cocktail style — about 0.6m² per person. Mingling, canapés, drinks.
- Seated in rows (a ceremony, presentation) — about 0.9m² per person.
- Seated at tables (a sit-down dinner) — about 1.5m² per person, once you allow for tables, chairs and room to walk.
Add roughly 25% more if you want a dance floor, a bar, a buffet or a band.
Marquee size by guest count
| Marquee | Area | Standing | Seated (rows) | Seated dining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×3m Pop-Up Gazebo (currently out of stock — email us to be notified) | 9m² | ~15 | ~10 | ~6 |
| 3×6m Marquee | 18m² | ~30 | ~20 | ~12 |
| 3×9m Marquee | 27m² | ~45 | ~30 | ~18 |
| 3×12m Event Shelter | 36m² | ~60 | ~40 | ~24 |
| 10×5m Wedding Marquee | 50m² | ~80+ | ~55 | ~33 |
Heading off-grid or after a smaller, packable shelter? Have a look at our inflatable camping tent, or browse all marquees and shelters.
Quick answers to the big ones
What size marquee for 50 guests? Standing, the 3×12m (~60 standing) gives everyone room to move — a 3×9m (~45) works if it's a tight crowd. Sit-down dinner for 50 needs roughly 75m², so plan on the 10×5m plus a second marquee — email us and we'll map it out.
What size marquee for 100 guests? The 10×5m (~80+ standing) covers a big crowd; for a full 100 standing or any seated layout, run two marquees — email us and we'll help you lay it out.
Backyard party of 20–30? The 3×6m is the sweet spot.
Three things people forget
- Tables eat space fast. A round table for 8 needs ~3m of clear diameter once chairs are out.
- Weather plan = size up. If rain might push everyone under cover at once, size for everyone seated, not just standing.
- Ground matters. You need a bit of margin around the edges for pegs and guy ropes.
Still not sure? Use the size calculator or email support@brisbanemarqueesales.com.au. Every size ships with free Australia-wide delivery, dispatched in ~2 days — and you own it, so it's there for the next one too.
Common questions
What size marquee do I need for 50 guests?
For 50 standing guests a 3×12m event shelter (36m², ~60 standing) gives room to move, or a 3×9m (27m², ~45) for a tight crowd. A sit-down dinner for 50 needs about 75m², so plan on a 10×5m marquee plus a second marquee.
What size marquee for 100 guests?
A 10×5m marquee (50m²) holds about 80+ standing; for a full 100 standing, or for any seated layout, plan on two marquees.
How much space per person under a marquee?
Allow ~0.6m² per standing guest, ~0.9m² seated in rows, and ~1.5m² for seated dining, plus 25% for a dance floor or bar.