What to buy for an anniversary event

Use this anniversary event shopping list to prepare the room, buffet, cake service and presentation equipment without last-minute gaps. Check the expected guest count before buying disposable or consumable items, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected guests. Tableware, serving equipment and cooling space are easy to underestimate, especially when coffee, cake and drinks are served separately. The full plan also covers invitations, dietary requirements, catering, photos, music and the event programme.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Clothes hangersqty 30

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 10

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Cake knife
Serving tongsqty 6
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Laptops
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Vasesqty 8
Photo framesqty 8
Name badgesqty 55
Photo backdrop
Table numbersqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Dishwasher cratesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Spa Rood - 20 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Mini cheese soufflés - 100 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Savory snack picks - 300 pieces
- Birthday cake - 1 cake for 55 people
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate truffles - 3 kilos
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Count one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one coffee cup and one cutlery set per guest, then add around 10% extra. Cake service is often forgotten when the main meal is catered.
Plan at least one water glass and one wine glass per guest if both are served. For a two-hour reception, allow roughly two to three drinks per person in the first hour and one per hour after that.
Check cooling capacity before buying drinks. Use coolers or other cold storage for bottles, and chill drinks several hours before guests arrive rather than relying on the final hour.
For a buffet, provide serving platters and serving spoons for each main dish, plus serving tongs for items guests pick up. Keep a separate cutting board and bread knife available so the cake knife is not used for everything.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers and wireless microphone at the venue at least one day before the event. Bring extension cords and power strips, and check that the presentation and photos open correctly.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary event?: Buy one dinner plate, pastry plate, coffee cup and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% extra. If both wine and water are served, plan one of each glass per guest and add spares for breakage.
How much should I spend on drinks for an anniversary event?: Quantity is easier to plan than cost: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and about one per person for each additional hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, then adjust for the guest list and serving time.
When should I chill drinks for an anniversary event?: Put bottled and canned drinks into coolers or other cold storage several hours before guests arrive. Check the available space the day before so the drinks do not depend on a last-minute supermarket run.
What do I need for an anniversary buffet and cake?: For each buffet dish, provide a serving platter or bowl and a serving spoon or pair of tongs. Add pastry plates, a cake knife and enough coffee cups for every guest, with around 10% spare tableware.

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