What to Buy for an Anniversary Service

This anniversary service shopping list covers the practical items guests, speakers and caterers rely on during the day. Plan seating, reception furniture, plates, glasses, serving equipment, coffee supplies and presentation equipment together, rather than buying them separately. Count registered guests before ordering disposable or hired items, then add a small buffer for breakage and unexpected arrivals. Drinks, ice, name badges and printed programs are easy to leave until the last minute, so check them at least one week before the service.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 90
Foldable tablesqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 3
Reception desk
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Pastry platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dinner knivesqty 100
Dinner forksqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Coffee potsqty 5
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Cake serversqty 3
Cake knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Projector
Projector screen
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon archqty 2
Anniversary banner
Candlesqty 24
Candle holdersqty 12
Name badgesqty 90
Table numbersqty 12

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Catering

Program bookletsqty 100
Menusqty 100
Pensqty 12
Name stickersqty 100
Serving apronsqty 8
Groceries
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Quiche - 12 pieces
- Vegetable tart - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 60 pieces
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan spread - 1.5 kilo
- Vegan salads - 3 kilos
- Gluten-free salad - 2 kilo
- Anniversary cake - 2 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Hand broomsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Tips

Count each registered guest before ordering plates, pastry plates, coffee cups and water glasses. Add 5–10% extra for breakage, seconds and late changes to the guest list.
Plan drinks by service period: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks the day before and keep extra ice in separate containers.
Match serving equipment to the menu. One serving spoon or pair of tongs per dish prevents queues, while cake servers and cake knives should be ready before the reception starts.
Check the room layout before collecting chairs, foldable tables, buffet tables and coat racks. Leave at least one clear route for wheelchair users and keep the reception desk near the entrance.
Test wireless microphones, microphone stands and speakers no later than the day before. Bring the music files and presentation files on two separate devices so the program does not depend on one copy.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary service?: Start with one dinner plate, one pastry plate, one water glass and one wine glass per registered guest. Add 5–10% extra, and provide at least one coffee cup and spoon per guest if coffee is served.
How much food and drink should I buy for an anniversary service?: Use the confirmed guest count for the catering order and allow 5–10% extra for food where the menu permits. For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and one to two per person for every hour after that.
When should I buy or hire the equipment for the service?: Confirm furniture, tableware and audio equipment at least two weeks before the service. Check stock and place the final shopping or hire order one week ahead, then chill drinks and pack supplies the day before.
What do people often forget for an anniversary service?: Small items are often missed: coffee spoons, serving utensils, cake knives, ice containers, waste bins, name badges and spare printed programs. Check these seven days before the event, not while guests are arriving.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.