From poseur tables for the arrival drinks to chiavari chairs and crockery for the dinner, this guide covers everything you need to hire for a masquerade ball.
From poseur tables for the arrival drinks to chiavari chairs and crockery for the dinner, this guide covers everything you need to hire for a masquerade ball.
A masquerade ball requires formal furniture from start to finish: poseur tables for the arrival drinks, round tables and chiavari chairs for the dinner, and glassware across multiple courses. This guide covers the hire requirements for events of 100 to 300 guests.
\n\nThe pre-dinner drinks reception at a masquerade ball is almost always a standing affair. Poseur tables give guests somewhere to set their glass and rest between conversations. The standard height is around 110cm, which suits standing guests without bar stools.
\n\nFor 100 guests, plan for 10 to 12 poseur tables spread across the reception space. For 150 guests, allow 15 to 18 tables. For 200 to 300 guests, you will need 22 to 30 tables, arranged in clusters so the room does not feel empty at one end.
\n\nChampagne flutes are the standard glassware choice for arrival drinks at a formal ball. Order one and a half times your guest count to allow for breakages and late arrivals. Expo Hire supplies champagne flutes in cases of 24.
\n\nRound tables are the standard layout for a masquerade ball dinner. A 5ft (152cm) round table seats 8 guests with room for full place settings and a centrepiece. A 6ft (183cm) round table can seat 10, though 8 is less cramped when there are multiple glasses and courses on the table.
\n\nFor 100 guests, you need 12 to 13 round tables. For 150 guests, 18 to 19. For 200 guests, 25. For 300 guests, 37 to 38. Add one or two spare tables for a top table or any last-minute changes to the seating plan. See the round table hire page for available sizes.
\n\nChiavari chairs are the standard seating choice for masquerade balls and formal gala dinners. Their slim profile and formal appearance suit both ballroom and marquee settings. Expo Hire stocks gold and silver finish chiavari chairs. Order one chair per guest plus 5 per cent extra for the top table and VIP seating.
\n\nWhite or ivory tablecloths are the traditional choice for a formal ball dinner. For a masquerade ball with a black-and-gold colour scheme, black tablecloths with white napkins create a strong contrast. Expo Hire stocks round tablecloths in sizes to fit both 5ft and 6ft tables. See the linen hire page for available colours and sizes.
\n\nFor 100 guests at 13 tables, you need 13 round tablecloths and 100 napkins. Napkins for formal dinners are placed on the starter plate or folded in the wine glass at each setting.
\n\nA three-course dinner needs a starter plate or soup bowl, a main plate, a dessert plate, and a side plate. For 100 guests, that is a minimum of 400 pieces of crockery across all courses, plus cutlery for each course. Cutlery for three courses means starter fork and knife, main fork and knife, dessert spoon and fork, and a side knife. For 100 guests, allow 700 to 750 pieces of cutlery.
\n\nThis is often underestimated at the planning stage. Check your hire order against the menu, course by course, before confirming quantities with Expo Hire. See the crockery hire page for available sets and pricing.
\n\nA formal three-course dinner includes a white wine glass, a red wine glass, and a water glass per place setting. That is three glasses per guest at the table, in addition to the champagne flutes used for arrival drinks. For 100 guests, that is 300 dinner glasses plus 150 champagne flutes, giving a total glassware order of around 450 to 500 pieces.
\n\nOrder 20 per cent extra across all glassware types to cover breakages during service. Glassware breakages during busy service are normal at events of this size.
\n\nCandelabras are a popular choice for masquerade ball tables. Expo Hire does not stock candelabras. For candelabra hire, contact a specialist prop and wedding decor company. As an alternative, groups of votive candle holders or lanterns create a candlelit atmosphere at a lower cost. Ask the Expo Hire team about current candle holder availability when placing your order.
\n\n| Guests | Round Tables | Chiavari Chairs | Poseur Tables | Champagne Flutes | Dinner Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 12–13 | 105 | 10–12 | 150 | 310–320 |
| 150 | 18–19 | 158 | 15–18 | 225 | 460–480 |
| 200 | 25 | 210 | 20–25 | 300 | 620–640 |
| 300 | 37–38 | 315 | 28–32 | 450 | 930–960 |
Expo Hire delivers to England and Wales. Delivery and collection is available seven days a week. For delivery charges, minimum order values, and lead times, see the carriage and delivery page.
See also: gala dinner hire guide and black tie dinner hire guide.
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