What you need for an anniversary celebration

An anniversary celebration needs more than food and a cake. Plan the tableware, serving equipment, drinks, decorations and presentation gear before shopping, especially if guests will eat, watch a presentation or stay for coffee. Count items against the final guest list, then add a small buffer for breakages and second servings. Check what can be borrowed or reserved first, so you do not buy furniture, glasses or technical equipment unnecessarily.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Drinking glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 90
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cake knifeqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Extension cordsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Vasesqty 10
Flower arrangementsqty 10
Photo backdrop
Photo framesqty 12
Name badgesqty 90
Table numbersqty 10
Balloon pumpqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomsqty 2
Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Rubber glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Coffee creamer - 6 tubs
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Bitter aperitif - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Salami - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Toast - 12 packs
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Mixed salad - 6 kilo
- Cucumber salad - 3 kilos
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Baguettes for buffet - 10 pieces
- Herbs - 6 jars
- Pepper - 2 mills
- Salt - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 2 bottles
- Vegetarian platters - 10 servings
- Vegan platters - 6 servings
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 1 piece for 90 people
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Petit fours - 100 pieces
- Bitterballen - 200 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 150 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 100 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dishwashing liquid - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates, coffee cups, drinking glasses and cutlery sets against the final guest count. Add around 10% extra when hiring or buying disposables, particularly if the celebration includes a buffet.
Plan serving equipment separately from guest tableware. For a buffet, allow at least one serving platter and one serving spoon per main dish, plus a cake knife for the anniversary cake.
Buy or prepare drinks early enough to chill them before guests arrive. A practical starting point is two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by roughly one drink per person per hour.
Do not leave coffee service until the day itself. Check that coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks are available, and provide enough coffee cups, especially if dessert and cake are served after the meal.
Test the presentation setup before shopping is finished. Confirm that the laptop, projector, screen, active speakers, wireless microphones and extension cords work together, then keep spare batteries and adapters with the equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary celebration?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, drinking glass and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% extra. If coffee and cake are served separately, count one coffee cup per guest as well.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary celebration?: Use two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water and non-alcoholic options according to guest preferences and dietary requirements.
When should I order the anniversary cake and catering?: Confirm catering and the cake at least 1–2 weeks before the celebration, or earlier for a large guest list. Reconfirm quantities, delivery time and dietary requirements 2–3 days before the event.
What presentation equipment is needed for an anniversary celebration?: For a photo or anniversary presentation, prepare a laptop, projector, projection screen, active speakers, wireless microphones and extension cords. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours beforehand and keep the presentation file on a second device or drive.

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