Wedding Porta Potty Rental: How to Plan It Right
Short answer
Start from one unit per 50 guests for four hours, then add for a reception that runs longer and for a bar. Deluxe units, with a sink, a mirror and better light inside, suit dressed-up guests. Place them close enough to walk to but screened from the ceremony and the photos, and book as soon as your date and venue are set.
Restrooms don't come up much when couples talk about their dream wedding, but they come up a lot when guests talk about a wedding afterward, usually when something went wrong.
The good news is that it's easy to get right if you think about it early. This guide covers what kind of units to get, how many, where to put them, and what to check with your venue.
Do you even need them?
If your venue is a backyard, a farm, a field or an estate without enough bathrooms, yes. And if the venue has restrooms, check how many. A house with two bathrooms can't handle 150 guests over a six-hour reception, and septic systems in rural venues often can't either.
Ask the venue directly: how many restrooms are available to guests, and have they handled a wedding your size before?
Which kind of unit should you rent?
For most weddings the choice is between standard units, deluxe units and, where the venue can handle one, a restroom trailer.
- Standard units are the basic single stall. They work, but they feel like a job site, which isn't the look most couples want.
- Deluxe units are the same size but nicer inside, usually with a hand sink, a mirror and better light. They need no hookups, so they're the most common choice for backyard and farm weddings.
- An ADA accessible unit is worth including for grandparents and anyone with mobility needs. It's roomier, which guests in formal wear also appreciate.
- Restroom trailers are closest to indoor bathrooms, but they need a level spot, room to tow them in and a power supply. Check with your venue before you fall in love with one.
How many does a wedding need?
Start from one unit per 50 guests for four hours. Then add for two things almost every wedding has: a reception that runs longer than four hours, and a bar.
For example, 120 guests with an open bar and a six-hour reception works out to about 4 units. If most of your guests will be there from the ceremony to the last dance, round up.
Add handwashing stations if the units you choose don't have sinks, and if caterers are cooking on site, they'll need their own.
Where should they go?
The best spot is close enough that nobody walks far in heels, but angled or screened so the units aren't in the ceremony backdrop or the dance-floor photos.
Some practical things to check:
- Can the delivery and service truck reach the spot? It has to, for setup and for any servicing.
- Is the ground firm and level? Soft lawns and slopes cause problems.
- Will there be light after dark? A path lit by string lights or lanterns makes a big difference.
- Is it downwind of the dinner tables? It's worth a thought.
What should you ask your venue?
Venues that host weddings often have rules you wouldn't guess, like a septic field you can't drive over, a lawn that can't take heavy equipment, or neighbors whose view they want to protect. Walk the site with them, agree on the spot and the delivery route, and let us know when you book.
When should you book?
As soon as you have a date and venue. Saturdays in spring and fall are the busiest dates, and the nicer units go first.
Quick answers
How many porta potties do I need for 150 wedding guests?
Are deluxe porta potties worth it for a wedding?
Do I need a handwashing station at my wedding?
Ready to get a quote?
Tell us your dates, the address and roughly how many people.