Anniversary Festival Shopping List

An anniversary festival needs more than food and drinks. Plan for outdoor seating, buffet service, chilled storage, signage and a clear photo moment so guests can move around comfortably. Use your final guest list to calculate quantities, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills and unexpected guests. The checklist below covers the practical items people often remember only after the venue is set up.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
High tablesqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 100
Bar stoolsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Pastry platesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Carafesqty 12

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Buntingqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table decorationsqty 12
Photo framesqty 10
Memorial plaque
Photo backdrop
Decorative ribbonqty 6

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cake knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12
Kitchen scale

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Toilet brushesqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Brie - 4 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Salami - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Melon - 4 pieces
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Green salad - 6 kilos
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilo
- Chicken skewers - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian skewers - 5 kilo
- Hamburgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 125 pieces
- Hot dog sausages - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 80 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Tomato sauce - 4 jars
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Cakes - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Aluminum grill trays - 30 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 refills
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% extra: plates, glasses, forks, knives, spoons and pastry plates are easily misplaced or dropped during an outdoor festival.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Arrange refrigerators or coolers early enough to chill the first batch before guests arrive.
Match serving equipment to the buffet: use at least one serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish, and reserve separate platters for cakes and desserts to avoid last-minute substitutions.
Order or collect party tents, tables and chairs at least one week before the anniversary festival. Confirm the delivery time and check that the ground can accommodate the tent layout.
Prepare decorations and the photo area before shopping day: balloons, bunting, table decorations, a backdrop and photo frames are easy to overlook when they are bought separately.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary festival?: Start with one place setting per confirmed guest and add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 plates, glasses, forks, knives and spoons, with additional pastry plates if cake is served.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary festival?: Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each following hour. For 50 guests over four hours, plan roughly 250 to 300 drinks, adjusting for children and non-drinkers.
When should I buy drinks and chilled food?: Buy non-perishables and decorations three to seven days ahead. Get chilled drinks and fresh snacks one day before the event, then chill the first supply several hours before guests arrive.
How many extra items should I include on the shopping list?: Add 10% to disposable or breakable tableware and around 5% to seating if space allows. For 50 guests, prepare five extra place settings and check that every table has enough serving utensils.

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