How Much Furniture Do You Need For a Cocktail Event?

Planning a cocktail event, be it a wedding, a birthday celebration, or a corporate event, involves unique considerations when it comes to selecting the right amount of furniture. Unlike sit-down affairs, where you have specific tables and chairs for each guest, cocktail events offer a more dynamic spatial experience for your attendees.

So, how do you determine the ideal amount of furniture for your cocktail event? Several factors come into play, such as your guest list, the venue’s size and layout, and the type of food and beverage service you intend to provide. At Luxe Hire in Melbourne, we’re here to provide expert guidance and tips to help you create the perfect cocktail furniture plan for your upcoming celebration.

1. Consider Your Guest List

The most obvious factor to take into account when planning your cocktail event’s furniture is your guest count. How many individuals will be sharing in the festivities with you? A general guideline is to provide enough seating for approximately 50% to 70% of your guests at any given time, remembering that not everyone will be sitting down simultaneously.

While keeping this rule in mind, also consider the style of your event. If you’re envisioning a laid-back and casual cocktail party, more guests might be inclined to stand and mingle. However, for formal gatherings or when accommodating a larger number of elderly guests, providing ample seating is a considerate choice. When in doubt, having slightly more furniture than you think you need is usually a safe bet.

2. Think About Your Venue

The size and layout of your chosen venue will play a pivotal role in determining your furniture arrangements for the cocktail event. If you’re hosting your celebration in a smaller venue, you might need to limit the amount of furniture to avoid overcrowding. On the other hand, if you’ve secured a more spacious venue, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough furniture to occupy the area effectively, preventing it from appearing empty and lacking in atmosphere.

3. Consider Food and Beverage Service

The nature of your food and beverage service will also impact your furniture requirements. If your event will feature canapés and bite-sized offerings, the need for tables and chairs may be less pronounced. However, when you plan to serve more substantial portions, it’s important to provide sufficient seating options for guests to comfortably enjoy their meals.

Furniture Options for Cocktail Events

Now that you have a general idea of how much furniture you’ll need, let’s delve into the various furniture options available to you:

• Bar Tables and Stools
• Café Tables and Chairs
• Dining Tables and Chairs
• Comfortable Lounges, Sofas & Coffee Tables
• Ottoman Stools & Benches

For a well-rounded and accommodating approach, we recommend incorporating both high and low seating options. This strategy caters to guests of all ages and enriches the visual appeal of your space by introducing variety and depth. When selecting your pieces, it’s advisable to opt for items that harmonise seamlessly, with complementary colors, textures, and styles. Creating a mood board and colour palette can be a valuable aid in making cohesive furniture selections. Alternatively, you can seek advice from our experienced team; we are passionate about assisting you in achieving the ideal combination of furniture pieces.

Map Out Your Floor Plan

Once you’ve chosen your furniture items, it’s time to devise a floor plan that delineates precisely where each piece will be placed. Typically, bulkier items such as lounge packages are best positioned along the sides or corners of your venue, while high bars, stools, and ottomans can be artfully dispersed throughout the space. To ensure a seamless fit, we recommend obtaining a copy of your venue’s floor plan, allowing you to accurately pencil in your furniture to scale.

Cocktail Furniture Hire for Weddings and Events

If you’re currently in the process of planning your cocktail wedding or event, we’d love to connect with you. Our friendly team is ready to assist you in creating the perfect furniture plan for your special occasion. Explore our comprehensive range of furniture rentals online, or get in touch with our team [here](link to your contact page) to initiate the process. Luxe Hire Events, based in Melbourne, serves weddings and events across the city and its surroundings, ensuring that your cocktail celebration is an unforgettable and seamless experience. Your vision is our inspiration, and we look forward to bringing it to life.