What you need for an anniversary performance

An anniversary performance needs more than a stage and seats. Plan supplies for the audience, performers, catering, registration desk and technical setup, including tableware, drinks, lighting and power accessories. Guest numbers determine how many chairs, glasses and place settings you need, while the program affects microphones, presentation equipment and printed materials. Use the full checklist to shop early, then chill drinks, collect pastries and test every cable before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 120
Bistro tablesqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 3
Changing room chairsqty 12
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Stage sectionsqty 12
Microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Music player
Spotlightsqty 6
Candle lampsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Laptop
Presentation screen
Projector
Projector screen

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 120
Dessert platesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 18
Serving tongsqty 12
Coffee potsqty 6
Water jugsqty 10
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4

Decorations

Backdrop
Anniversary bannerqty 2
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon ribbonqty 3
Table runnersqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo framesqty 12
Tealight holdersqty 20
LED tea lightsqty 20

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Bread basketsqty 8
Cake serversqty 3
Serving plattersqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Kitchen towelsqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop setqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Still mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 36 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 10 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Brown rolls - 80 pieces
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 kilo
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Herb cheese dip - 2 kilos
- Hummus dip - 2 kilos
- Salsa sauce - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 100 pieces
- Mini quiches - 150 pieces
- Vegetable spring rolls - 150 pieces
- Mini pizzas - 120 pieces
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Petit fours - 120 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 120 people
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Birthday candles - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs

Tips

For drinks, allow two to three servings per guest during the first hour, then one serving per person for each additional hour. Include still and sparkling water as well as any wine or champagne planned for the anniversary toast.
Count tableware against your maximum guest list, not your expected arrival count. Have one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one water glass per guest, plus about 10% extra for replacements and late additions.
Technical supplies are easy to overlook: check that the microphones, stands, speakers, mixer and music player match the program. Pack extension cords, power strips and gaffer tape together and test them during the technical rehearsal.
If coffee and pastries are served, provide one coffee cup and spoon per guest, with extra cups for a second round. Confirm dietary requirements before ordering and collect pastries and snacks close enough to serving time that they remain fresh.
Prepare the practical front-of-house items before shopping day: name badges, printed programs, the run sheet, parking information and waste bins. Reserve bulky furniture and stage sections early, because they are harder to replace than food or drinks.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for an anniversary performance?: Plan for two to three drinks per guest during the first hour and one per guest for every additional hour. Add water for the full audience and keep roughly 10% extra for unexpected guests or longer speeches.
How much tableware do I need for the performance?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and water glass per guest, then add about 10% spare. For a 100-person audience, that means at least 110 of each core item.
When should I buy and chill drinks for an anniversary performance?: Do the main shopping at least two days before the event and chill drinks the day before. Keep a smaller reserve unchilled so you can replenish during the program without running out.
What technical equipment should I check before the event?: Test microphones, microphone stands, speakers, mixer, music player, spotlights and any projector or presentation screen during the technical rehearsal. Check every extension cord and power strip at least one day before the performance.

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