Anniversary Ball Shopping List

A formal anniversary ball needs more than food and drinks. Plan the guest seating, buffet service, welcome area, dance floor and speeches before you shop, so you do not discover missing items when the venue opens. This checklist covers the practical supplies behind the event, including plates, glasses, table linen, decorations, name badges and sound equipment. Confirm the final guest count first, then buy or hire quantities with a small margin for breakages, late additions and serving changes.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 5
Table linenqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table decorationsqty 8
Candlesqty 40
Tealight holdersqty 20
Photo backdrop
Welcome sign
Name badgesqty 65

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Music player
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Floor lampsqty 4
LED spotlightsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Butter - 500 grams
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Beer crates - 4 crates
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Jenever - 1 bottle
- Cocktail shaker - 1 piece
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 750 grams
- Smoked chicken breast - 750 grams
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Mixed salad - 8 bags
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes with herb butter - 8 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian skewers - 3 kilograms
- Meatballs - 4 kilograms
- Quiche slices - 60 pieces
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 1 bottle
- Cake - 1 large cake
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Chocolate dessert - 60 portions
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Count tableware by guest plus 10%: for 80 guests, prepare 88 dinner plates, dessert plates, cutlery sets and water glasses. Order wine and champagne glasses separately rather than assuming one glass type will cover the whole evening.
Allow one chair per confirmed guest and keep 5% spare if the venue has storage space. Add enough tables for the main meal, buffet service, registration or welcome materials, and any gift or display area.
Plan the welcome and seating details before buying decorations. Prepare one name badge per guest plus 10 spare badges, and place the welcome sign where guests can see it before they reach the registration table.
For a speech or announcement, check the microphone, stand, speakers, music player and extension cords at least 48 hours before the ball. Bring one additional extension cord and test the full setup in the actual room, not only at home.
Buy perishables and chill drinks close to the event: refrigerate drinks as soon as they arrive and cool other perishables on the day before or the morning of the ball. Keep candles, balloons, bunting and flower arrangements dry and separate from food until setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary ball?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one water glass per confirmed guest, then add 10%. For 80 guests, that means 88 of each core item; add wine and champagne glasses according to the drinks service.
How many spare name badges should I buy?: Prepare one badge for every confirmed guest and add at least 10 spare badges. For 80 guests, buy or print 88 badges so late changes and damaged labels do not cause a problem at registration.
When should I buy drinks and decorations for an anniversary ball?: Buy decorations and non-perishable supplies 7 to 14 days before the event. Purchase chilled drinks as close as possible to the ball, then refrigerate them immediately; check perishables the day before and again on the event morning.
What sound equipment is needed for anniversary ball speeches?: Plan for speakers, a music player, a microphone, a microphone stand and extension cords. Test every item at least 48 hours beforehand and repeat the sound check when the equipment is installed in the venue.

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