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200-person wedding with a 5-hour open bar: is three standard units enough?

Brooke L.asked 3 viewsHow Many UnitsUnits per personStandard unitAlcoholEvents and weddingsRestroom trailer

We're planning our wedding for October 2026 on my parents' property in Charleston. We'll have 200 guests, a five-hour open bar, and heavy appetizers. The ground is level grass, and a truck can reach the spot easily. I'm trying to figure out how many portable toilets we need. Our rental company suggested three standard units, but I'm worried about long lines with that many people drinking for hours. Should we add more standard units, or consider a restroom trailer instead? What's the right mix for a wedding with an open bar?

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Priya N.Tampa, FL

Three standard portable toilet units are not enough for a 200-person wedding with a five-hour open bar. I would add more units.

The industry guideline for events starts near one unit per 50 to 75 people for a four-hour event. Your event is longer and involves alcohol, which significantly increases restroom use. For a wedding with 200 guests and heavy drinking, you need more than the baseline number.

Consider adding at least one more standard-unit, or upgrading to a restroom trailer. A restroom trailer provides multiple flushing stalls and sinks, which guests often prefer for a formal event. It needs level ground and a power source, either an electrical hookup or a generator. You should also include one ADA-compliant portable toilet to meet the ADA 5 percent cluster rule and ensure accessibility.

Weekly service is the norm, but for a single-day event with high use, the rental company will service the units after the event. The cost is driven by the unit types you choose, the rental duration, and any add-ons like a handwash station. Since you have level grass and good truck access, placement and service will be straightforward.

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