Planning any event can be a minefield. Sorting out a venue, arranging catering and planning the décor can all be time-consuming and problematic. However, it’s imperative to keep the seating arrangements at the forefront of your mind.

Whether you’re organising a wedding, conference, corporate event or charity ball, you’re going to need tables and chairs for your guests or attendees. Failure to plan this aspect of your event carefully could lead to disaster, so take the time to work out how many tables and chairs you actually need before finalising your arrangements.

How Many People Are Going?

Your first point of reference when determining the correct number of tables and chairs is how many people will be attending. This isn’t necessarily the same thing as how many invitations have been sent out. This is why RSVPs are so important. Count up the number of replies so that you have a good idea of how many people to expect and then add a few extra for good measure just in case. This will ensure you have a comfortable amount of seating for everyone who is likely to turn up.

Will I Need Spares?

Although you don’t want your venue to be cluttered with unnecessary tables and chairs, you also don’t want the nightmare scenario of too many guests and not enough space at the table. This is something that you definitely need to keep in mind if you’ve added any “plus ones” to your invitations.

There’s no guarantee that your attendees will bring someone with them, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t either. Having a contingency plan to produce spares just in case is always a good idea. Foldable chairs and tables can be ideal for this as they can be erected at short notice to accommodate any extra people.

Will You Need Tables for Activities?

If any activities are going to be involved in your event, you’re going to need to ensure you’ve set up tables and chairs to accommodate these. For example, if you’re running a charity event with craft tables, you’ll need to ensure you have suitable tables which can be used for this type of activity. Plastic tables are easy to wipe down and are a good choice for this.

Do I Need A Buffet Table?

If you’re serving food at your event, you’ll need to take on board the need for a buffet table if you aren’t having a sit-down meal. Large trestle tables are ideal for this and can help you to save space in your venue. Guests can simply sit on chairs with plates on their laps rather than around banqueting tables and this will free up floor space for dancing or other activities.

Buying Your Tables and Chairs

When it comes to buying tables and chairs for your event, it’s clear there is a lot to bear in mind. However, if you follow this helpful guide, you should be able to navigate the seating minefield and arrange a successful occasion.