How the guest count and how long the event lasts affect the number of Toilets You Need
When you're planning a wedding, two things matter the most when you're working out how many portable toilets you'll need - these are your guest count and how long the day will last. Getting this right can help everyone stay comfortable, avoid long queues, and keep the venue tidy.
More people means more visits to the bathroom, especially during busy times like after the ceremony, during drinks, and after the meal. If you only have a small number of toilets, the queue can grow quickly, and guests may feel rushed. As a simple guide, for an event of around four to six hours, many couples plan to have around one to two toilet units for every 50 guests.
Next, think about how long the wedding lasts. The longer the event is, the more times everyone is likely to use the toilet. A short ceremony and meal won't need many units compared to a full day and evening party. If your wedding runs for eight to ten hours, you may need an extra 1-3 toilet units compared to a shorter event with the same guest count. This is because each unit can only handle so many visits before it needs servicing.
Adults, children, and older guests
Most adults will use the toilet several times throughout the day, especially if drinks are being served. If your wedding includes an evening party, the toilet usage will naturally increase as the event goes on. In this case, having enough units available will help guests spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the day.
Children often need the toilet more urgently, and they may go more often, especially if they're young. Children might also need a parent to help them, which can make each visit to the toilet take longer. So if you have lots of families attending the wedding, it's sensible to add at least one more portable unit to make up for the added time.
Older guests can also increase the number of visits to the bathroom and the time each visit takes. Some older people may need to use the toilet more often due to health needs, and others may move slowly, which can create longer queues if there are not enough toilets. Therefore, if older guests are attending, you may want to include at least one larger, easy-access unit.
Here is a rough guide for portable toilet hires for weddings, assuming a day lasts around six to eight hours with no indoor toilets available:
> Up to 50 guests: 1 to 2 portable toilets
> 51 to 100 guests: 2 to 3 portable toilets
> 101 to 150 guests: 3 to 4 portable toilets
> 151 to 200 guests: 4 to 5 portable toilets
Outdoor weddings and remote locations
Outdoor weddings and remote locations often need more portable toilets than weddings held in a venue with indoor facilities. This is because guests cannot easily “make do” if the toilets are too far away.
At an outdoor wedding, people usually spend the whole day on-site, and there may be no nearby shops, cafés, or public toilets available to use as a backup. This means that every guest will depend on the toilets that you provide.
Weddings in remote locations can also add extra challenges. Delivery lorries may have limited access to the site due to narrow lanes, soft ground, or long distances from the main road, and this can affect how many units you can place and how easily they can be serviced. If the wedding lasts all day, you may also need extra units because having the units serviced during the event can be difficult.
Toilet types and what they are like
When you're planning a wedding in the UK, there are several portable toilet units that you can hire. Standard portable toilets are the most common for outdoor events since they are simple, private cubicles with a toilet, a lock, and basic ventilation. Some standard units include a small hand gel point, but they do not always have running water. A general guide for standard units is 1 unit per 50 guests for a six to eight-hour event.
Luxury toilet trailers are more like indoor toilets, and they usually include flushing toilets, proper sinks with running water, mirrors, lighting and heating. People may take a little longer inside this unit because the space is nicer, but luxury trailers often include several separate cubicles. As a guide, plan for 1 cubicle per 60 to 75 guests, depending on how many cubicles the trailer has. For example, a trailer with three cubicles can often suit around 180 to 225 guests for a day event.
Accessible toilet units are larger cubicles that are designed for easy access and extra space. They are important if you have older guests, wheelchair users, or anyone who needs more room. These units take longer to use and only serve one person at a time, so they don't replace general toilets. A good approach is to have at least 1 accessible unit, plus your main set of toilets, based on your guest numbers.
Urinal units are also useful for larger weddings, especially if many guests are men. These units can reduce queues because they are quicker to use, and a common guide is typically 1 urinal bay for every 50-100 guests, alongside your main toilets.
London Toilets provides portable toilet hire services for weddings, parties, building sites, public events and more across the UK. Our units are delivered on time, set up safely, and collected when you're finished. We provide standard toilets, luxury toilets, and accessible units.
