What to buy for an anniversary dinner

An anniversary dinner needs more than food and drinks. Plan the tableware, serving pieces, table linen and small finishing items before you shop, especially if the venue does not provide them. Count each place setting against the confirmed guest list, then add a small margin for breakages and unexpected guests. Keep chilled drinks refrigerated and check dietary requirements before finalising ingredients or catering quantities.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 60

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Champagne glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Water jugsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Napkin holdersqty 7

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 7
Napkinsqty 70
Name badgesqty 55
Menusqty 55
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Vasesqty 8
Party buntingqty 6
Table numbersqty 7
Photo framesqty 10
Tealight holdersqty 20

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 30

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Storage binsqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Serving tongsqty 8
Oven mittsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 6
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Basil - 6 bunches
- Beef - 7 kilogram
- Vegetarian main courses - 8 servings
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Green beans - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Beef broth - 5 liters
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Red wine sauce - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Dessert cookies - 6 packs
- Anniversary cake - 1 piece
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 14 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Champagne - 8 bottles
- Wine corks - 1 pack
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Large trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives and spoons for every confirmed guest, then add 10% extra so one dropped item does not disrupt dinner.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy water separately and keep it cold before guests arrive.
Check whether the venue supplies serving platters, serving spoons, water jugs and coffee pots. These are easy to overlook when the main tableware is already available.
Prepare one printed dietary overview for the organiser and label menus or place settings where needed. Confirm the final guest number before buying ingredients or confirming catering.
Match tablecloths, napkins, menus and centrepiece items to the number of tables, not just the number of guests. Buy or bring vases for every flower arrangement and keep decorations clear of plates and glasses.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary dinner?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass and wine glass per guest, plus 10% spare. Add champagne glasses only if a toast is part of the programme, and count coffee cups and spoons separately.
How much wine and other drinks should I buy for an anniversary dinner?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person; after that, allow about one drink per person per hour. Also provide at least 500 ml of water per guest, with extra for a warm venue or a long dinner.
When should I buy the food and drinks for an anniversary dinner?: Buy non-perishable items and decorations several days ahead. Buy fresh vegetables and desserts one to two days before, and chill drinks at least 6 hours before guests arrive.
What should I check before shopping for an anniversary dinner?: Confirm the final guest number, dietary requirements and the venue’s available tableware at least 2 days beforehand. Check whether tables, chairs, tablecloths and serving equipment are included before buying or transporting replacements.

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