PE tent hire price bands by type and size
| Tent | Size | Seats | Typical band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peg-and-pole package | small + tables & chairs | 20–30 | R999–R1,800 |
| Peg-and-pole | 10m × 15m | 100 | R4,500–R7,500 |
| Peg-and-pole | 10m × 30m | 200 | R8,000–R13,000 |
| Frame tent | 5m × 5m | 20–25 | R1,850–R2,600 |
| Frame tent | 5m × 10m | 50 | R2,800–R4,200 |
| Frame tent | 10m × 15m | 100–120 | R6,500–R9,500 |
| Frame tent | 10m × 30m | 200–240 | R12,000–R18,000 |
| Stretch tent | 5m × 10m | 30–40 | R1,650–R3,000 |
| Stretch tent | 10m × 15m | 80–90 | R4,500–R8,000 |
| Stretch tent | 15m × 20m | 150–180 | R8,000–R12,000 |
| Gazebo | 3m × 3m | stall | R450–R900/day |
| Glass marquee | 10m × 15m | 100 | R14,000–R25,000 |
2026 Nelson Mandela Bay bands including delivery and rigging inside the metro; quotes move with site access, wind exposure, hire days and season.
What size tent do you need? The quick chart
Allow 1.2–1.5 m² for each seated guest, and about 0.5 m² more per guest if there will be dancing. On an exposed Summerstrand or Sardinia Bay site, go one size up: closing a windward side takes some room at the edge.
| Guests (seated) | Area needed | Tent options |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | ~42 m² | 5m × 9m frame / 5m × 10m stretch |
| 50 | ~70 m² | 5m × 10m frame — the classic 50-seater |
| 100 | ~140 m² | 10m × 15m frame or pole (10m × 20m with dancing) |
| 200 | ~280 m² | 10m × 30m / 15m × 20m |
| 300 | ~420 m² | 15m × 30m |
| 500 | ~700 m² | 20m × 40m or two joined marquees |
Add-on rates — furniture, draping, extras
| Add-on | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Plastic chair | R7–R12 each |
| Tiffany chair | R35–R60 each |
| Trestle table | R60–R120 each |
| Round table (10-seat) | R90–R160 each |
| Roof & wall draping | R45–R90 per metre |
| Tent flooring | R60–R120 per m² |
| Stage deck | R350–R700 per section |
| Fairy-light canopy | R850–R2,500 |
| Patio gas heater | R350–R550 each |
Full furniture options live on tables and chairs for hire in Port Elizabeth.
What moves a PE tent quote up or down
- Wind exposure. A sea-facing Summerstrand rig needs more anchoring and heavier structure than a sheltered Walmer garden — the single most PE-specific cost factor.
- Season. The December festive and wedding season is the peak — the same marquee prices 15–25% higher than a winter date.
- Distance. Metro delivery is included; Uitenhage, Despatch and the outer bay carry a quoted charge, Jeffreys Bay on request.
- Site access. Beachfront permits, split-level gardens and complex clearances add crew time.
- Extras. The difference between a R6,500 and a R14,000 marquee in Nelson Mandela Bay is mostly draping, a raised floor and lighting; the tent itself changes least.
The honest savings: peg-and-pole on a sheltered lawn that takes pegs, a winter date, plastic chairs, no flooring on firm dry ground. The false saving is skimping on anchoring on an exposed PE site — the wind finds it. The structures are set out side by side under stretch tent hire in Port Elizabeth, marquee hire in Port Elizabeth and frame tent hire in Port Elizabeth, and the areas served are on the tent hire Port Elizabeth overview.
PE tent price questions
How much is tent hire in Port Elizabeth per day?
A small peg-and-pole tent with chairs and tables costs R999–R1,800 in Port Elizabeth. A mid-size function lands at R2,800–R7,500, and a fully dressed 100-guest wedding marquee at R8,500–R18,000. Quotes cover the function (rig the day before, strike the day after), not a daily meter.
What size tent do I need for 100 guests?
For 100 seated guests, book a 10m × 15m tent (about 140 m²). Add dancing and it becomes a 10m × 20m (about 190 m²), which is also the safer size on a windy beachfront site where one side stays closed.
Does wind exposure change the price in PE?
It can. A sea-facing beachfront rig needs more anchoring — and sometimes a sturdier frame structure — than a sheltered inland garden, which is the most Port-Elizabeth-specific factor in a quote.
Is delivery included in Port Elizabeth tent hire prices?
Yes, anywhere from Summerstrand to Motherwell: the bands above include delivery, rigging and collection. Uitenhage, Despatch and the outer bay carry a small quoted distance charge, and Jeffreys Bay is quoted on request.