Table and Chair Hire Guide — Types, Quantities and Layout

The chair you choose sets the tone for the event. Here is a breakdown of the most common types:

— Tiffany (Chiavari) chairs: The gold standard for weddings and upscale events. Available in gold, silver, white or natural wood. Lightweight, elegant and stackable. No covers needed — they look good as they are.
— Plastic chairs: The workhorse of Zimbabwe events. Affordable, durable and available in large quantities. Ideal for funerals, church events, large parties and any event where budget is the priority. Can be dressed with covers and sashes for a more polished look.
— Garden chairs: White folding chairs used primarily for outdoor ceremonies. Compact, easy to set up in rows on a lawn.
— Banquet chairs: Padded, stackable hotel-style chairs with fabric seats. Comfortable for long sit-down events like conferences and corporate dinners.
— Crossback chairs: Rustic wooden chairs with an X-shaped back. Popular for bohemian and outdoor wedding styles.

Browse our seating options in the catalogue to see what suits your event.

Tables come in several shapes and sizes, each suited to different events:

— Round tables (120cm / 150cm / 180cm diameter): Seat 6, 8 or 10 guests respectively. The most popular choice for wedding receptions and formal dinners. Encourage conversation and look great with centrepieces.
— Rectangular trestle tables (180cm x 75cm): Seat 6–8 guests. Versatile — use them for banquet-style seating, buffets, registration desks or head tables. Stack easily for transport.
— Cocktail / poseur tables (60cm diameter, bar height): For standing receptions, drinks areas, cocktail hours. Guests stand around them with drinks.
— Half-moon tables: Semi-circular tables often used in pairs to form a round or individually for buffet displays and registration.

Start with your confirmed guest count, then add 5–10 per cent as a buffer.

For round tables seating 10: divide guest count by 10. For 150 guests, you need 15 round tables.

Then add function tables:
— 1 head table (usually a long rectangle or curved arrangement)
— 1 cake table
— 1–2 buffet tables (if serving buffet-style)
— 1 DJ / AV table
— 1 gift table
— 1–2 cocktail tables for the welcome area

For chairs, take your total guest count plus the head table seats, plus any extra seating at the ceremony (if different from the reception). Always round up. For a full breakdown of what else you might need, see our event equipment hire guide.

The layout depends on the shape of the room and the style of the event:

— Rounds with a head table: The classic wedding layout. Round tables fill the floor, with a long head table at the front on a slight riser. Leave space for a dance floor between the tables and the head table.
— Banquet style: Long rectangular tables arranged in parallel rows. Creates a communal, family-style dining feel. Works well in narrow rooms or tents.
— U-shape or E-shape: Rectangular tables arranged in a U or E. Common for corporate meetings, AGMs and formal dinners where one speaker addresses the group.
— Theatre style: Chairs only, no tables, arranged in rows facing a stage or altar. Used for ceremonies, conferences and presentations.

Always leave at least 1.5 metres between tables for guests and staff to move comfortably. More space is needed if guests are in flowing formal attire. Pair your layout with the right linen and table setting to complete the look.