What you need for an anniversary tribute

An anniversary tribute needs more than food and a cake. You will need seating and table settings, presentation materials, decorations, and reliable equipment for speeches and music. Start with your confirmed guest count, then allow spare place settings and glasses for late additions or breakages. Flowers and the cake are easy to overlook because they are often collected close to the event. Check those orders, along with microphones, speakers, cables, and power strips, before shopping day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Changing room rack
Table linenqty 8
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Forksqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 10
Candlesqty 20
Balloon weightsqty 6
Photo framesqty 8
Menusqty 10
Name badgesqty 60
Welcome sign
Presentation folder

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Laptop
HDMI cable
Power banksqty 2

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's mandoline
Knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Cake server
Corkscrewqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3
Lockable storage containersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Waste binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Limes - 8 pieces
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Mixed salad - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Cooked ham - 1 kilo
- Dry-cured ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Rice salad - 3 kilos
- Gluten-free pasta salad - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Cocktail gherkins - 2 jars
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cake - 1 large cake
- Petit fours - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Count tableware by guest, then add 5 to 10 percent extra. That includes dinner plates, dessert plates, water glasses, wine glasses, cups, forks, knives, spoons, and coffee spoons.
Plan one chair per confirmed guest, plus enough tables for the meal, cake, and tribute materials. Reserve standing tables separately if guests will mingle before or after the seated part.
Allow at least two microphones for a tribute with several speakers: one for the presenter and one for the person speaking. Test the speakers, microphone stands, extension cables, and power strips at least one day beforehand.
Order flowers and the cake early enough to collect them on the planned day. Keep the cake pickup time, serving platters, cake plates, and serving cutlery together so they are not forgotten during setup.
Prepare printed items before shopping day: name cards, menu cards, the welcome sign, the presentation folder, and the certificate. Bring a few blank name cards and a spare pen for last-minute guest changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an anniversary tribute?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass, cup, fork, knife, spoon, and coffee spoon per guest. Add 5 to 10 percent extra, so 55 to 56 settings for 50 guests.
How much sound equipment is needed for tribute speeches?: For several speakers, plan on two microphones, two microphone stands, speakers, at least one extension cable, and one power strip. Test the complete setup no later than the day before the tribute.
When should I order flowers and the anniversary cake?: Order both as soon as the date, guest count, and serving time are confirmed. Arrange collection times at least one day before the event when possible, and confirm the cake pickup again on the morning of collection.
What printed items should I buy or prepare for an anniversary tribute?: Prepare the certificate, welcome sign, name cards, menu cards, and presentation folder before the final setup. Make at least 10 percent more name cards than confirmed guests, plus a few blank cards for changes.

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