What you need for an anniversary garden party

An anniversary garden party needs more than food and drinks. Plan for seating, serving equipment, chilled beverages, tableware, weather protection and lighting before guests arrive. The shopping list covers the practical items for setting up a tented garden celebration, serving snacks, salads and bread, and running a drinks table. Check guest numbers and dietary requirements before buying fresh food, then leave enough time to chill drinks and prepare the garden.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tent
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Bar stoolsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 55
Cutlery setsqty 60

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Runwaysqty 6
Balloonsqty 80
Buntingqty 8
Table decorationsqty 6
Balloon pumpqty 2
Adhesive stripsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Lanternsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Phone chargersqty 3

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Gin - 1 bottle
- Tonic water - 3 bottles
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Limes - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Serrano ham - 800 gram
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Cocktail nuts - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Raw vegetables - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Green salad - 3 kilos
- Dressing - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Cake - 1 large cake
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Buy disposable or reusable tableware for the full guest count, plus around 10% extra plates, cups, glasses and cutlery for breakages, seconds and unexpected guests.
Plan drinks by time of day: allow roughly two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per hour, and chill them at least 4 hours before the party.
Do not leave serving equipment until the last shop. You need separate platters, tongs and serving spoons for snacks, salads, bread and other buffet food.
Check the forecast 3 to 5 days beforehand and reserve the party tent and extra furniture as soon as the guest list is firm. A tent is not a substitute for enough tables and chairs.
Garden lighting is easy to overlook in daylight. Set up string lights and lanterns before guests arrive, and keep adhesive strips, a balloon pump and decoration supplies together so setup does not stop halfway.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary garden party?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and at least two drinking glasses per guest. Add about 10% extra, so a party for 30 people needs roughly 33 place settings and 66 drinking glasses if guests will use separate glasses for different drinks.
How many drinks should I buy for an anniversary garden party?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, followed by about one drink per person per hour. For 30 guests over 4 hours, that is approximately 150 to 180 drinks, adjusted for non-drinkers, children and the food being served.
When should I buy food for a garden anniversary party?: Buy non-perishable items several days ahead and buy fresh groceries 1 day before the party where possible. Chill drinks at least 4 hours in advance, while salads and other perishable food should be prepared and refrigerated on the day.
Do I need a party tent for an anniversary garden party?: Reserve one when the guest list is confirmed, ideally at least 1 to 2 weeks before the event. It provides cover for guests, tables and food if the weather changes, but you still need suitable furniture and a clear setup area.

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