How to Arrange a Banquet Hall

Arrange a banquet hall with planning, research and attention to detail. As you make your plans, try to maximize the space available to you and consider the overall theme of the event. Have both efficiency and aesthetic appeal at the forefront of your mind. Your arrangement of the banquet hall, if properly planned and executed, will contribute to the success of the event. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Visit the banquet hall and meet with the supervisor of the facility. Find out if a detailed drawing of the room including dimensions is available. If not, make a sketch yourself and note the dimensions of the room. If the supervisor doesn't know the dimensions, measure the room yourself. Take note of any features of the room that will be either a help or a hindrance in your setup including any permanent fixtures, furniture, electrical outlets and doors.

2

Calculate how much space you will need per guest. Make sure that the dimensions of the banquet hall are adequate for the type of event and the number of guests for which you are preparing. For a full-service dinner, plan on 12 to 14 square feet per person, allowing for a table, chair, and full service aisle. For a buffet-style meal, you'll need about 10 square feet per person. For a more casual, cocktail setting, 8 square feet per person is acceptable.

3




Maximize the space available by choosing an appropriate table shape.

Determine what shape tables you will use and how many you will need based on the number of guests, type of event and dimensions of the hall. For round tables, a 36-inch table seats four; a 54-inch table seats six; a 60-inch table seats eight; and a 70-inch table seats 10. For rectangular tables, a 24-by-72 inch table seats three to four; a 30-by-72 inch table seats six; and a 36-by-90 inch table seats eight. If you feel uncertain about your calculations, there are several online resources and calculators available for your use.

4

Create a sketch of your plan for the banquet hall. Use a computer or draw your plan by hand. Don't leave out any details. Sketch each table, chair and piece of equipment necessary. Make note of the space needed between each table. Consider traffic flow in the room. If there will be a speaker or entertainment, factor that into your plans. Set up the microphone or platform in a place that will be easily visible to the most people possible in the room. Consult your original sketch of the room to ensure that any electrical outlets are accessible.

5




Be calm and flexible during setup.

Find out when the room will be available for setup and arrive at the earliest time possible so that you have time to deal with any unexpected situations that arise. If you find that something about your sketched plan isn't working, be creative. Don't be afraid to try a different option than you originally planned. Make sure that you will have enough help during the setup so that you will be free to evaluate the situation and decide on any necessary changes. When setup is complete, walk through the hall to make sure that everything is as it should be.