From Engagement Parties & Graduation Celebrations to Holiday Cocktail Parties, we are here to help you pull off a seamless event. Cheers Event Rentals serving North Georgia

Planning a celebration is exciting but figuring out how many tables and chairs you actually need can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re hosting an engagement party, a graduation celebration, or a small cocktail gathering, the right layout makes your event feel comfortable, organized, and effortlessly stylish.

At Cheers Event Rentals, we make event planning simple. Use this guide to estimate exactly what you’ll need based on your guest count and event style.

1. Engagement Party Seating & Table Guide

Engagement parties are usually part-seated, part-social . Guests will mingle, toast, and often sit down to eat or chat.

Rule of Thumb

👉 Provide seating for 60–75% of your guest count.
(Most engagement parties aren’t fully seated meals.)

How Many Tables Do You Need?

• Round Tables (seated dining):

  • Seat 6–8 guests per table

  • Formula: Guests × 0.65 ÷ 7 = # of round tables

• Banquet/Rectangular Tables:

  • Seat 6–8 depending on length

• High-Tops for mingling:

  • 1 high-top per 6–8 guests

Example:

50-person engagement party → 32–38 seats

• 5 round tables (seating 6–8 each)

• 4–5 high-tops for mingling

2. Graduation Party Seating & Table Guide

Graduation parties are typically open-house style, meaning guests come and go. You don’t need seating for everyone at the same time.

Rule of Thumb

👉 Provide seating for 40–50% of your guest count.

How Many Tables Do You Need?

• Dining tables: 1 per 6–8 guests

• Food + dessert tables: Always plan separate tables

• Gift or memory table: 1 additional table

• High-tops (optional): Great for teens and minglers

Example:

75-guest graduation party (open-house style) → 30–38 seats

• 4–5 dining tables

• 1 food table

• 1 dessert table

• 1 gift/memory table

• 3–4 high-tops

3. Cocktail Party Seating & Table Guide

Cocktail parties are designed to be social, so seating is intentionally limited.

Rule of Thumb

👉 Provide seating for 25–40% of your guest count.

Table Formula

• High-tops: 1 per 4–6 guests

• Low seating or lounge clusters: 1 cluster per 10–15 guests

• Barstools (optional): 1–2 per high-top if desired

Example:

40-guest cocktail party → 10–16 seats

• 6–8 high-top tables

• 1–2 small lounge areas

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Tables Needed Based on Guest Count

Chair Quick Guide

• Full meals: 1 chair per guest

• Engagement parties: Chairs for ~70%

• Graduation parties: Chairs for ~50%

• Cocktail parties: Chairs for 25–40%

Need Help Planning? Cheers Event Rentals Can Calculate Everything for You

Every event is different. Space to move freely, the layout, and flow all matter. If you send us your guest count and event type, we’ll calculate your exact table, chair, and high-top needs for free.

Plus, we deliver, set up, and pick up. All you have to do is enjoy the celebration.

Cheers Event Rentals
N. Georgia’s trusted source for tables, chairs, balloon arches, and stress-free celebrations.