What generator will actually run your event?
Guest counts lie; load lists do not. Tick what your event runs and get a kVA answer with proper headroom.
Get the whole kit list with power, cable runs and every load accounted for, from one event brief.
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Size event generators from the load list, not the guest count: total the kW, divide by 0.8 for kVA, add 25 to 30 percent headroom. Working bands: a lit, amplified, catered event runs 40kVA up to about 120 guests, 60kVA to 300, 100kVA to 800. Electric catering is almost always the biggest single draw.
What things actually draw
| Load | Typical draw |
|---|---|
| LED lighting rig (full marquee) | 0.5–1kW |
| PA / band system | 2–5kW |
| Hot cupboard (each) | 2–3kW |
| Catering oven (each) | 6–10kW |
| Fridge trailer | 2–4kW |
| Luxury toilet trailer | 1–2kW |
| Indirect heater (fan + controls) | 0.5–1kW |
| Coffee machine (the surprise one) | 2–3kW |
The two mistakes that cause dark weddings
First: sizing from guests instead of loads. A 200-guest event with gas catering and LED lighting can run on 20kVA; an 80-guest event with a full electric kitchen cannot. Second: forgetting distribution. The set is half the hire; the armoured cable, distro boxes and RCDs that get power safely to each position are the other half, and they are designed from your site plan.
The full story, silenced sets, fuel maths and overnight running, is in the generator hire guide.
Generator sizing: quick answers
What size generator do I need for a marquee wedding?
A 120-guest wedding with electric catering, PA, lighting and a fridge trailer typically needs 40 to 60kVA silenced diesel with proper distribution. Gas catering can halve it. The load list decides, not the guest count alone.
How many kVA does event catering use?
Electric field catering is the big draw: a hot cupboard pulls 2 to 3kW, an oven 6 to 10kW, and a full electric kitchen for 100+ guests can demand 20 to 30kVA on its own. This is why caterers get asked for their kit list in amps.
Can I use two small generators instead of one big one?
Often, yes, and sometimes it is better: one set for catering (their load spikes) and one for everything else keeps the band playing when the ovens surge. Suppliers twin sets routinely; ask for the split to be designed, not improvised.
Does a generator need to run overnight?
If there is a fridge trailer, yes: it must hold temperature from stock-up to service. Silenced sets are built for it: position away from tents and let the supplier set the overnight fuel plan.
What is the difference between kVA and kW?
kW is real usable power; kVA is apparent power including electrical overhead. For event planning, multiply kVA by 0.8 to get usable kW: a 60kVA set gives roughly 48kW of real load capacity.