What to buy for an anniversary dance party

An anniversary dance party needs more than drinks and a cake. Use the item list below to cover the practical setup: tables and chairs, dinner and cake tableware, serving equipment, coffee supplies, cooling gear and music equipment. Check your guest numbers before shopping, then add enough glasses, plates and cutlery for guests who go back for seconds. Sort drinks, snacks and cake supplies separately so setup is faster on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 70

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Pastry platesqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 70
Knivesqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Pastry forksqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 10

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Cake serverqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 3

Equipment

Laptops
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Cable ties

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED spotlightsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch set
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 9
Napkin holdersqty 6
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20

Cleaning

Broomsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 4 six-packs
- Pilsener - 8 six-packs
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 5 bottles
- Rosé - 5 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Bitterballen - 4 bags
- Vlammetjes - 3 boxes
- Mini spring rolls - 3 bags
- Mini cheese soufflés - 3 bags
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Snack nuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Prawn crackers - 4 bags
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Anniversary cake - 1 piece
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Chocolate - 6 bars
- Coffee spoons - 60 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 1 box
- Aluminum trays - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one drinking glass and one set of cutlery per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages, dropped items or late additions.
For a drinks-led dance party, chill the first round several hours before guests arrive and keep backup bottles in coolers. Prepare at least two bottle openers and one corkscrew so service does not stop when one disappears.
Keep cake service separate from dinner service: set out pastry forks, a cake server, pastry plates and a cutting board before the cake is collected. This avoids searching for equipment while guests are waiting.
Count coffee cups, spoons, kettles, coffee machines and thermos flasks against the final guest number. If coffee is served after the dancing, prepare the hot-water setup before the cake is brought out.
Test the laptop, mixer and speakers together before guests arrive, including the playlist and connection cables. Keep the music equipment near a suitable power supply and leave access clear around the dance floor.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for an anniversary dance party?: Allow at least one drinking glass per guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 glasses; add wine glasses separately if wine is being served.
How much tableware should I buy for an anniversary party?: Plan one dinner plate, pastry plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, with 10% spare. For 50 guests, prepare 55 of each frequently used item.
When should I chill drinks for the dance party?: Chill the first drinks several hours before guests arrive. Put backup bottles into coolers as the party starts, rather than waiting until the first supply is empty.
What do I need to serve anniversary party cake?: Set aside one pastry plate and pastry fork per guest, plus a cake server, cutting board and chef's knife. Put these items out before collecting or presenting the cake.

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