What to buy for an anniversary celebration
A successful anniversary celebration needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough plates, glasses, serving equipment, coffee supplies and practical gear for registration and the programme. Use your guest count as the starting point, then add a small buffer for breakages, seconds and unexpected guests. Check what the venue already provides before buying or hiring anything, especially tables, chairs, extension cords and audio equipment.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 70
- Buffet tablesqty 3
- High tablesqty 4
- Table skirtsqty 8
- Coat racksqty 2
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 75
- Dessert platesqty 75
- Coffee cupsqty 70
- Water glassesqty 80
- Wine glassesqty 80
- Champagne glassesqty 75
- Cutlery setsqty 80
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Pitchersqty 6
Kitchen
- Serving traysqty 8
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Food warmersqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knifeqty 3
- Aluminum foilqty 2
- Cling filmqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Ice cube traysqty 6
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Bluetooth speakersqty 2
- Microphoneqty 2
- Microphone standsqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
Lighting
- String lightsqty 6
- LED lampsqty 8
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 100
- Balloon arch
- Buntingqty 6
- Photo backdrop
- Photo wall stand
- Table decorationsqty 8
- Candle holdersqty 12
- LED candlesqty 24
- Name badgesqty 75
- Program leafletsqty 75
- Table number cardsqty 8
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Trash bag holdersqty 6
- Bucketsqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Broomqty 2
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Microfiber clothsqty 12
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilogram
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Cocktail-free syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Vegetarian slices - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 800 grams
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Melon - 4 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Herb cheese - 1 kilogram
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Balsamic dressing - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Couscous salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Green salad - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Vegetarian quiche - 6 pieces
- Mixed quiche - 6 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 50 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 50 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 4 kilogram
- Falafel - 3 kilograms
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Satay sauce - 3 liter
- Burger buns - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburgers - 40 pieces
- Lettuce - 2 kilograms
- Cheddar - 2 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Tomato salsa - 3 jars
- Brownies - 70 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pies
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Fresh fruit pastries - 60 pieces
- Coffee spoons - 80 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
Tips
- Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each item so replacements are available during the meal.
- Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep extra bottles in coolers with ice.
- Count glasses by drink type rather than buying one mixed set for everyone. For a reception with wine and sparkling wine, provide at least one wine glass and one champagne glass per guest, plus 10% spare.
- Buy or reserve serving equipment before ordering the catering. Buffet tables, serving platters, serving spoons, food warmers and pitchers are easy to overlook and may not be included with the venue.
- Separate dietary meals before transport and label them clearly. Pack foil or cling film, cutting boards and a chef's knife with the food supplies, rather than assuming the venue kitchen has them.
Frequently asked questions
- How many plates and cutlery sets do I need for an anniversary celebration?
- Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one cutlery set per invited guest, then add 10% spare. For 50 guests, prepare 55 dinner plates, 55 dessert plates and 55 cutlery sets.
- How much alcohol and soft drink should I buy for an anniversary party?
- Use two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Add water throughout the event and keep at least 10% extra for warm weather, delays or unexpected guests.
- How many glasses do I need for 50 guests?
- For a seated or served event, prepare at least 50 glasses for each drink type in use, plus 5 spare per type. If you serve wine and champagne, that means 55 wine glasses and 55 champagne glasses for 50 guests.
- When should I buy and chill drinks for an anniversary celebration?
- Buy non-perishable drinks several days ahead and check quantities before the event. Chill bottles at least 4 hours before guests arrive; use coolers and ice if the refrigerator cannot hold the full amount.
Start this plan in Lizzt
Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.
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