What to buy for an anniversary reception

An anniversary reception needs more than drinks and a cake. Plan separate supplies for registration, buffet service, speeches, coffee and coats, then match quantities to your guest list. Use one wine glass and one water glass per guest, plus spare glassware for busy periods. Chill drinks before guests arrive, and check that the microphone, speakers, extension cords and power strips work together before setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 70
Registration desk
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 80
Beer glassesqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Cake platesqty 80
Pastry forksqty 80
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving tongsqty 12
Serving trays for sauceqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Name badgesqty 70
Table numbersqty 8

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Hot water boilersqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Cake knife
Ice spoonsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Prosecco - 18 bottles
- Dry white wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Pilsner - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Coffee beans - 4 kilograms
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Parma ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Salami - 1.5 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Tapenade - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Mixed party snacks - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 100 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 70 people
- Petit fours - 70 pieces
- Coffee creamer - 2 liters
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Plan 10–15% extra wine, beer and water glasses so a missing or used glass does not stop service. For 50 guests, that means roughly 55–58 of each type.
Buy or borrow enough chairs for every seated guest, then allow space for cocktail tables, buffet tables and the registration desk. Keep at least one clear route to the coat racks and exits.
Order cake plates and pastry forks for every guest plus 10% spare. Serving platters, tongs and sauce trays are easy to overlook because they are not part of the food order.
For coffee service, provide one cup and spoon per expected coffee drinker, then add a few extras. Check the number of coffee machines and hot-water boilers against the guest count instead of relying on one slow machine.
Test the wireless microphone, active speakers, microphone stand, extension cords and power strips before the reception. Bring coolers for drinks and place waste bins where guests can reach them without crossing the buffet.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for an anniversary reception?: Start with one wine glass, one beer glass and one water glass per guest, then add 10–15% spare. For 50 guests, plan about 55–58 of each type if the glasses will not be washed during the reception.
How much tableware should I buy for the cake?: Prepare one cake plate and one pastry fork per invited guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that is 55 plates and 55 forks, even if some guests may skip dessert.
How early should I chill drinks for an anniversary reception?: Move drinks into coolers or a refrigerator at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive. Keep a second batch ready if the reception lasts longer than two hours, because warm replacement drinks are often forgotten.
What equipment do I need for anniversary reception speeches?: Allow one wireless microphone, one microphone stand and active speakers, with compatible extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours beforehand and keep spare batteries available.

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