What to buy for an anniversary drinks reception

Plan the shopping around the final guest count, not the number originally invited. For a drinks reception, you will need separate glasses for wine, beer and water, plus enough serving equipment for snacks and cake. Keep chilled drinks in coolers and set aside coffee, tea and cake supplies before guests arrive. The list also covers the items that are easy to overlook, such as extension cords, coat racks and extra serving utensils.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

High tablesqty 6
Dining tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 60
Beer glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cake platesqty 50
Pastry forksqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Carafesqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Photo framesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpan

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen scales
Cooling matsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Tzatziki - 750 grams
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Vlammetjes - 75 pieces
- Vegetarian appetizers - 75 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 25 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Count glassware by drink type and add roughly 10% extra for breakages, unexpected guests and glasses left around the room. Do not rely on wine glasses alone if beer and water will also be served.
Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Buy or prepare water as well, and chill drinks several hours before the reception starts.
Allow at least two serving platters and two pairs of serving tongs for every 20 guests if snacks are being served at the same time. Keep separate utensils available for foods linked to dietary requirements.
Set aside one coffee cup, cake plate and pastry fork per expected coffee-and-cake guest, plus about 10% spare. Keep the cake refrigerated until close to serving time rather than placing it out with the snacks.
Check equipment before shopping day: speakers, microphone, kettles or coffee machines may need extension cords and power strips. Add coat racks and table coverings to the practical list; they are often remembered only during room setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for an anniversary drinks reception?: Start with one wine glass, beer glass and water glass per guest if all three will be offered. Add about 10% extra of each type, so a reception for 50 guests needs approximately 55 of each glass type.
How much alcohol should I buy for an anniversary reception?: Plan for two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. For 50 guests over two hours, that means roughly 150 to 200 drinks, with water and non-alcoholic options included separately.
When should I chill drinks for the reception?: Move drinks into coolers or a refrigerator at least four hours before guests arrive. If space is limited, chill the first serving batch earlier and keep a second batch ready to replace it.
What serving equipment is easy to forget for a drinks reception?: Check for serving platters, tongs, carafes, coffee pots, cake plates and pastry forks at least one day before the event. Also test extension cords, power strips, speakers and the wireless microphone before setup begins.

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