Key takeaways
- Backyard birthdays typically cost $400–$900; milestone parties $1,300–$2,800; backyard weddings $2,200–$6,500 (GST incl.).
- Guest count, marquee size and seated vs cocktail format move the price most.
- Hire is priced per day — same-day set-up for an evening party saves money.
- Always check a quote includes delivery, set-up, collection, GST and insurance.
Quick answer
Most Melbourne party hire bookings land between $400 and $900 for a backyard birthday of 20–40 guests, $1,300–$2,800 for a milestone party of 40–80, and $2,200–$6,500 for a backyard wedding. All prices include GST, delivery, set-up and pack-down within our metro area. Guest count, marquee size and how many days you hire for move the price more than anything else.
“How much will it cost?” is the first question almost everyone asks us, usually before they’ve decided on a date, a guest list or even whether they need a marquee. That’s fair — you need a ballpark before you can plan anything. This guide gives you real price ranges from the quotes we write every week, explains exactly what pushes a quote up or down, and shows three worked example budgets so you can see where the money actually goes.
Typical party hire costs in Melbourne
The ranges below come from the package bands we quote across Melbourne. They include GST, delivery from our Cheltenham depot, set-up and next-day collection. They don’t include food, drinks, entertainment or styling extras like florals.
| Event | Guests | Typical inclusions | Typical price (GST incl.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard birthday | 20–40 | 3×6m marquee, trestle tables, stackable chairs | $400 – $850 |
| Kids’ birthday | 15–30 kids | Marquee or umbrellas, kids’ tables and chairs | $300 – $700 |
| Milestone birthday (50th, 60th) | 40–80 | 4×8m marquee, round tables, Tiffany chairs, dance floor | $1,300 – $2,800 |
| Engagement / cocktail party | 30–60 | Cocktail tables, bar stools, festoon lighting | $700 – $2,000 |
| Intimate backyard wedding | 30–50 | 4×8m marquee, round tables, Tiffany chairs, dance floor | $2,200 – $3,800 |
| Standard backyard wedding | 60–90 | Combined marquees, banquet seating, stage, dance floor | $3,800 – $6,500 |
| Corporate function | 50–120 | Marquee, cocktail furniture, staging, black linen | $1,000 – $5,000 |
If your event sits between two rows, so will your quote. A 45-guest 40th with a dance floor will look more like the milestone row than the backyard birthday row, because the dance floor and the bigger marquee are what move it up.
What’s included in a hire quote
One reason online prices are hard to compare is that companies include different things. Here’s what’s in every quote we send, so you can line it up against anyone else’s:
- Delivery and collection — to your venue anywhere in metro Melbourne, with Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula quoted with a distance-based fee upfront.
- Set-up and pack-down — our crew pitches the marquee, lays the dance floor and sets out tables and chairs. You never lift anything.
- GST — every price we quote already includes it.
- A layout that fits — we check your guest count against your space, so you don’t book a marquee that doesn’t fit the yard (our marquee sizing guide shows the maths).
What’s usually not included anywhere: catering, drinks, DJs and PA, florals and gas bottles for patio heaters. We can arrange several of those through our partner network so they arrive on the same truck, but they’re priced separately.
The six things that change the price most
When two quotes for “a 50th for 60 people” come out $1,500 apart, it’s almost always one of these:
| Cost driver | Why it matters | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Guest count | Sets how many tables, chairs and how much marquee you need | High |
| Marquee size | A combined 4×8m + 3×6m setup costs far more than a single 3×6m | High |
| Seated vs cocktail | Seated dinners need a chair per guest and more tables; cocktail parties need seats for about a third | High |
| Number of hire days | Hire is priced per day — a Friday drop-off for a Sunday event costs more than same-day | Medium |
| Dance floor and staging | Priced per square metre, so a 25 sqm floor costs roughly double a 12 sqm one | Medium |
| Location and access | Distance from Cheltenham, stairs, long carries and tight side access add time | Low–medium |
Seated versus cocktail is the biggest lever
A seated dinner for 60 needs 60 chairs, seven or eight round tables, linen for every table and enough marquee to fit it all — roughly 75 square metres of floor space. The same 60 guests at a cocktail party need about 20 seats, eight cocktail tables and much less cover. If budget matters more than a formal dinner, switching formats is the single biggest saving available. Our tables and chairs guide shows the exact numbers for both.
Why hire is priced per day
Equipment that’s at your place can’t go to another booking, so hire is priced per day. Most parties are one day: we deliver in the morning and collect the next day. If you need delivery two days early — for a wedding with a rehearsal, say — expect the furniture portion of the quote to roughly double.
Three example budgets
These are typical of the quotes we write. Prices are indicative, include GST and assume delivery within metro Melbourne.
| Backyard 40th | Milestone 60th | Backyard wedding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guests | 40, cocktail style | 60, seated lunch | 80, seated dinner + dancing |
| Cover | 3×6m marquee | 4×8m marquee + market umbrellas | 4×8m + 3×6m combined |
| Furniture | Cocktail tables, bar stools, 15 chairs | Round tables, cushioned Tiffany chairs, linen | Round tables, Tiffany chairs, linen, stage |
| Extras | Festoon lighting, 1 heater | Flooring over lawn, 2 heaters | 20 sqm dance floor, festoon, heaters |
| Typical total | $800 – $1,300 | $2,000 – $3,500 | $4,000 – $6,500 |
Notice what drives the jump from the 40th to the wedding: not the “fancy” items, but the second marquee, a chair for every guest and the dance floor. If you want a wedding-style feel on a smaller budget, keep the marquee to one and seat only the people who need to sit.
Seven ways to save without it looking cheap
- Book a weekday or off-season date. Weekday hires typically run about 15% cheaper than Saturdays, and May to August has the most flexibility.
- Use the house or garden as part of the venue. A marquee only needs to cover the dining or bar zone, not every guest at once.
- Go cocktail-style. Seats for a third of guests, plus cocktail tables, is cheaper than full banquet seating.
- Size the dance floor to the dancers. Roughly a quarter of guests dance at any one time — you rarely need a floor for everyone.
- Bundle into one booking. One delivery and one crew costs less than three companies each charging a delivery fee — the hire catalogue covers furniture, marquees, lighting and heaters in one place.
- Hire for one day, not three. Same-day set-up for an evening party avoids extra hire days.
- Ask about bulk pricing. Larger orders of chairs and tables are quoted with bulk rates built in.
Party hire vs hiring a venue
It’s worth comparing the two, because the cheapest option isn’t always obvious. A function venue bundles the room, furniture and often catering, but usually comes with a minimum spend, fixed hours and a guest cap. A backyard or hall with hired equipment gives you more control over food, drinks and timing — and for 40–80 guests, it’s often the more affordable option. For 100+ guests, a venue with our furniture and dance floor brought in can be the best of both.
Hidden costs to ask about (with any hire company)
When comparing quotes, check each of these. A cheap headline price can grow quickly if they’re extras:
| Question to ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Is delivery, set-up and collection included? | Some quotes are “pick up yourself” prices |
| Is GST included? | Adds 10% if not |
| What happens if items are returned dirty? | Cleaning fees vary a lot |
| Is there a minimum order or delivery value? | Small orders can attract a surcharge |
| What’s the cancellation and weather policy? | Melbourne weather changes fast |
| Are you insured? | Venues and councils often ask for a Certificate of Currency |
For the record, our quotes include delivery, set-up, collection and GST, and we carry $20 million public liability insurance with a certificate available within one business day.
How to get an accurate quote quickly
The fastest quotes come from enquiries that include five things: the date, the suburb, the guest count, whether it’s seated or cocktail, and a rough idea of the space (a photo of the backyard helps more than measurements). With those, we can usually come back the same day. Without them, we’ll ask — which adds a round of emails.
If you’re planning a specific celebration, our pages for wedding hire, 50th birthday hire and corporate event hire show the packages and price bands for each in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is GST included in your party hire prices?
Yes. Every price we quote includes GST, delivery within our Melbourne metro area, set-up and collection.
Is there a minimum order for party hire?
A minimum delivery value applies, but small orders are welcome — a few tables and chairs or a single marquee is a normal booking. We'll tell you upfront if it applies.
Why is party hire priced per day?
Equipment at your event can't go to another booking, so hire is priced per day. Most parties are one day: delivered in the morning, collected the next day.
Is it cheaper to hire on a weekday?
Usually, yes — weekday hires are typically around 15% cheaper than Saturdays, and May to August has the most flexibility.
How quickly can I get a quote?
Usually within one business day. Include your date, suburb, guest count, seated or cocktail format and a photo of the space for the fastest quote.
Andrew is a Customer Service Manager at Easy Peasy Party Hire. He builds most of our quotes, so he knows exactly what drives the cost of a party — and where people overspend.
