Anniversary Wedding Planning Checklist

An anniversary wedding combines the structure of a wedding with the familiarity of a family celebration. Start by confirming the date and location, then build the guest list, invitations and registrations before arranging food, drinks and the evening programme. In the final week, check deliveries, complete non-perishable shopping and confirm dietary requirements. On the day, allow time to ventilate the rooms, check the toilets, chill drinks and set out tables, tableware and decorations before guests arrive.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Confirm date and location
2 people
Compile the guest list
2 people
Design invitations
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Create evening program
2 people
Determine menu and drinks list
2 people
Confirm reservations
Choose music and playlist
2 people
Inventory speeches
Arrange the table layout
2 people
Make name badges
2 people
Print the run sheet
Check deliveries
2 people
Check the shopping list
2 people
Do non-perishable shopping
2 people
Buy fresh groceries
2 people
Picking up the cake
Chill drinks
2 people
Sort decorations
2 people
Check tableware
2 people
Open venue
2 people
Ventilate the rooms
2 people
Check toilets
2 people
Set up tables
4 people
Set up chairs
4 people
Placing buffet furniture
2 people
Set Up Drink Table
2 people
Set table linen
3 people
Set out tableware
3 people
Set out cutlery
2 people
Set out glasses
2 people
Place name tags
2 people
Place menus
2 people
Hang decorations
4 people
Place flower arrangements
2 people
Hang lights
3 people
Set up photo table
2 people
Set out the guestbook
Set up the gift table
2 people
Set up the coffee corner
2 people
Prepare snacks
4 people
Prepare buffet dishes
4 people
Set aside special diet meals
2 people
Place cake in the fridge
2 people
Test the music
2 people
Lay out presentation materials
2 people

Event

Pour welcome drinks
3 people
Welcome guests
3 people
Welcome the honorees
2 people
Serve welcome snacks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Facilitate the group photo
2 people
Announce speech
Guide speeches
Open the buffet
2 people
Serve the buffet
4 people
Refill buffet
2 people
Collect used dishes
2 people
Serve coffee and tea
3 people
Cut the cake
2 people
Serve cake
3 people
Provide music
Keep the dance floor clear
See guests off
2 people

Aftercare

Pack leftover food
2 people
Clear away drinks
2 people
Collect tableware
3 people
Clear tables
3 people
Sort waste
2 people
Clean the kitchen
3 people
Clean the restrooms
2 people
Clean the floors
2 people
Remove decorations
3 people
Dismantle furniture
4 people
Pack equipment
2 people
Collect lost and found items
Final venue check
2 people
Return rental items
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Rectangular tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tableqty 2
Drinks table
Gift table
Photo table
Coat rack
Table for DJ equipment

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Dinner cutlery setsqty 70
Cake forksqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Carafesqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cake knife

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Cloth napkinsqty 70
Flower vasesqty 8
Artificial flowersqty 40
String lightsqty 6
LED candlesqty 24
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Photo framesqty 12
Welcome sign
Guest book
Pens for the guestbookqty 4
Name badgesqty 60
Menusqty 12
Gift bag
Photo propsqty 20
Table numbersqty 6

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Microphone stand
Mixer
Audio cablesqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Laptop
Phone chargersqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving plattersqty 10
Baking dishesqty 6
Aluminum foil dispenser
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Bread knivesqty 2
Cake stand
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermometerqty 2

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop setqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4
Waste binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the guest-list deadline before sending invitations: allow at least 7 days after the RSVP date to follow up with missing registrations and dietary requirements.
Create the evening programme early enough to place speeches, dinner, cake and music in a workable order. Print the run sheet and keep one copy with the person coordinating the event.
Separate non-perishable shopping from fresh groceries. Buy shelf-stable items several days ahead, then collect fresh food and the cake as close to the event as practical.
Count tableware by place setting, not by category. Each guest may need a dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set, water glass, wine glass and, if used, a champagne glass, while serving platters and utensils need separate counts.
Do not leave the room setup until guests are due. Open and ventilate the venue first, then place the rectangular tables, buffet and drinks tables, gift and photo tables, coat rack and DJ table before adding runners, napkins, flowers, lights and LED candles.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I send anniversary wedding invitations?: Send them 8 to 12 weeks before the celebration so guests have time to respond. Set an RSVP deadline around 3 to 4 weeks before the event, leaving at least 7 days to chase missing replies.
When should I finalise the anniversary wedding menu and drinks?: Aim to confirm the menu and drinks list 3 to 4 weeks before the event, after most registrations and dietary requirements are known. Recheck quantities and reservations during the final week.
How many drinks should I plan per guest for an anniversary wedding?: For the first hour, plan roughly 2 to 3 drinks per guest, then about 1 drink per person per hour, adjusted for the meal, duration and non-alcoholic options. Chill the drinks on the day before guests arrive.
What should I do on the morning of an anniversary wedding celebration?: Allow at least 3 to 4 hours for opening and ventilating the venue, checking toilets and deliveries, arranging tables and tableware, sorting decorations and chilling drinks. Keep the printed run sheet available so setup tasks are completed in order.

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.