What to Buy for an Anniversary Partner Day

An anniversary partner day needs more than food and drinks. Plan tableware for the meal, coffee service for the closing part of the programme, and enough glasses for guests who move between the tables and presentations. Decorations such as a banner, flowers or balloons help mark the occasion, while name badges and printed menus keep the day organised. Check quantities against confirmed registrations before shopping, and add a small buffer for breakages, spills and late additions.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 65
Dessert platesqty 65
Coffee cupsqty 65
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 65
Dinner forksqty 65
Dinner knivesqty 65
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving boardsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 10

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Balloonsqty 50
Balloon archesqty 2
Anniversary banner
Name badgesqty 65
Menusqty 12
Candle holdersqty 12

Equipment

Laptops
Projector
Projection screen
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coat hangersqty 70

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 2
Pliersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving jugsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1,5 kilogram
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Cucumber salad - 2 kg
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Beef salad - 3 kilogram
- Grilled chicken - 5 kilogram
- Vegetarian quiche - 8 pieces
- Sandwich rolls - 70 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Cake - 6 kilograms
- Petit fours - 70 pieces
- Fresh fruit - 4 kilograms
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes

Tips

Count dinner plates, dessert plates, forks and knives for every confirmed guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means planning for 55 place settings rather than buying exactly 50.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Buy water separately and keep it available throughout the programme, especially during speeches and presentations.
Plan coffee service for at least one cup per guest, with one coffee spoon and cup per serving. Set aside extra cups if coffee is served after dessert or during a longer afternoon programme.
Match decorations to the room before buying them: one anniversary banner, a manageable number of flower arrangements and enough tablecloths to cover every dining and buffet table. Balloon arches and balloons need fixing points and setup time, so do not leave them until the event day.
Prepare presentation supplies before the shopping trip is finished. A laptop, projector, projection screen and wireless microphones may all be needed, and printed menus and name badges should be ordered or printed at least three days before the event.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary partner day?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate and set of cutlery per confirmed guest, then add 10% extra. Plan at least one water glass and one wine glass per guest; for 50 guests, buy or hire 55 of each where possible.
How much drinks should I buy for an anniversary partner day?: Allow two to three drinks per guest during the first hour, followed by about one drink per guest per hour. Add extra water for the full programme and keep a 10% buffer for warm weather, spills or unexpected guests.
When should I buy decorations and printed materials?: Buy or order banners, flowers, balloons and table coverings at least one week ahead. Finish menus and name badges at least three days before the event, after registrations and dietary requirements have been checked.
What equipment is needed for anniversary speeches and presentations?: Allow one laptop, one projector, one projection screen and enough wireless microphones for the speakers using them at the same time. Test every item at the venue at least one day before the event, then test the full setup again during room setup.

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