Capacity is one of the first numbers couples and planners ask about, and one of the most misunderstood. The headline figure usually describes the room at its absolute maximum, not the version you actually want.
Seated vs. standing
A space that holds 170 seated for dinner can hold more for a cocktail-style reception, and fewer once you add a dance floor, a head table, and a buffet. Always ask which configuration the number refers to.
Leave room to move
Guests need space to mingle, servers need lanes to work, and you want a dance floor that fills up rather than overflows. A little breathing room makes a celebration feel premium.
Match the room to your list
Bring your realistic guest count to your tour and ask to see the layout at that size. At The Starlight Pavilion, the team walks through configurations for groups up to 170 on the tour.