When deciding to rent a venue, it is important to know that the standing capacity versus the seating capacity are calculated differently.  If you have a standing capacity of 400, it will be different for a seating capacity of 400, and in most times, a seating capacity will be half of a standing capacity.  It happens because the added furniture in the room, such as tables and chairs, use the space that can be used for standing, in exchange for seating.  Knowledgeable venue managers, whom are experienced with various set-up styles at their venue, will provide you with either a seating capacity and the number of tables needed or a standing capacity for a cocktail reception.  It is important to know when you should distinguish between the two capacities.  You can do this by asking the venue manager, how many round 60" tables can the event space hold, with space remaining for a dance floor?  Click here to read from A Grand Event's website How to Calculate Event Capacity Correctly.  Another important information to know, is the seating capacity for popular round and rectangular tables.  
 

• a 60" round table will seat eight  

• a 72" round table will seat 10 

 

• * 72" (6 foot) rectangular table will seat six

• *a 96" (8 foot) rectangular table will seat eight

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*Denotes that when used as a headtable, you can only seat half of six or half of eight.  Do this so that the backside of wedding party members are not visible to the other guests, but their faces are.

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On another important note, if you are planning to have a backdrop installed behind your sweetheart table or a headtable, you should ask the venue manager if flame-retardant (FR) drapes are required by law or not.  If not required, non flame retardant drapes cost less per panel than flame retardant drapes.