Free planning tool
How many chairs do you need?
Enter your guest count and we'll work out chairs and tables for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, then build a checklist tuned to your venue and Chicago's season.
Your seating plan
219
estimated chairs to rent for 150 guests
- Reception seats
- 159
- incl. 2 at the head table
- Ceremony seats
- 150
- reused at dinner
- Cocktail seats
- 60
- 40% of guests
- Tables
- 20
- 8-top rounds
Your planning checklist
- 01Confirm your guest count and add 4 vendor seats and a 3% buffer (159 reception seats in total).
- 02Ask your venue for its vendor packet: certificate of insurance wording, load-in and load-out windows, loading dock and elevator rules.
- 03Draw the floor plan: 20 8-top round tables plus the head table, with 54 to 60 inches between table edges for chairs and service.
The method
How the planner counts
- 01
Count reception seats
Guests, plus vendors who sit to eat, plus a buffer of a few percent for late RSVPs.
- 02
Decide on the ceremony
Reuse reception chairs with a flip during cocktail hour, or rent a separate set.
- 03
Seat part of cocktail hour
A portion of guests, prioritizing older relatives, plus a lounge grouping.
- 04
Convert seats to tables
Divide reception seats by 8 for 60-inch rounds, or 10 for 72-inch rounds and banquet tables.
More questions about counts, costs, venue rules or delivery? See every Chicago chair rental answer.