What you need for an anniversary show

An anniversary show needs more than food and decorations. You will need seating and serving equipment for the reception, reliable sound and lighting for performances, and printed materials for guests. Use the final visitor list to calculate plates, glasses, chairs and name badges, then add a small buffer before shopping. Technical items should be checked and tested before the day, especially microphones, cables, the mixer and the laptop used for music or presentations.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 6
Stage steps
High tablesqty 8
Dining tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 110
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 3
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 120
Pastry platesqty 120
Dessert spoonsqty 120
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water glassesqty 150
Wine glassesqty 120
Champagne glassesqty 110
Serving traysqty 10
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Laptop
HDMI cablesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Slide projector

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
String lightsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 16
Napkin holdersqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo wall standsqty 2
Table decorationsqty 12
Gift bagsqty 110

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cake knifeqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Ice packsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Filled puff pastry snacks - 120 pieces
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Raw vegetables - 5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Mixed salad - 5 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Baguettes for buffet - 16 pieces
- Herb butter for buffet - 10 tubs
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Mini hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Cheddar slices - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 2 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Fries - 12 kilograms
- Frying oil - 8 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Diet meals - 10 portions
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 10 pieces
- Anniversary cake - 1 cake for 110 people
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sprite - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Cleaning product - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Allow one chair per confirmed guest, plus 5% extra if space allows. Add high tables or stools for guests who will be standing between the reception and the show.
For a catered meal, count one dinner plate, fork and knife per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. For cake or dessert, provide one pastry plate and dessert spoon per person.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per hour afterward. Chill drinks at least 6 hours before the event and keep separate supplies for water, wine and any champagne toast.
For every performance area, check the number of wireless microphones, microphone stands, speakers and HDMI cables against the technical plan. Bring at least two extension cords and two power strips, and test all connections before guests arrive.
Print programs and prepare name badges for the final guest count, with 5% extra copies and blank badges for late changes. Collect dietary requirements before ordering catering, ideally at least 7 days in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for an anniversary show?: Plan one water glass per guest, plus one wine glass for each guest who will drink wine. For a champagne toast, provide one champagne glass per person and keep 10% extra of each type for breakage or last-minute guests.
How much food should I order for an anniversary show?: Order catering for the final confirmed guest count, with 5–10% extra portions if attendance is uncertain. Confirm dietary requirements at least 7 days before the show so the caterer can prepare suitable alternatives.
What technical equipment is needed for an anniversary show?: At minimum, check speakers, a mixer, wireless microphones, microphone stands, a laptop, HDMI cables, extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup 2–3 hours before doors open, including music files and presentation slides.
When should I buy and chill drinks for an anniversary show?: Buy drinks 2–3 days before the event so you can check quantities and storage space. Chill the drinks at least 6 hours before guests arrive, and keep a separate reserve for the performers and catering team.

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