What you need for an anniversary weekend

An anniversary weekend needs more than food and drinks. Guests may arrive over several days, so plan separate supplies for the welcome reception, shared meals, coffee breaks, speeches and photo displays. Count tableware by guest, then add a small buffer for breakages and items waiting to be washed. Check which furniture and equipment the venue already provides before shopping, especially tables, chairs, speakers, a microphone and power supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Clothes hangersqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Serving traysqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkinsqty 70
Balloonsqty 80
Buntingqty 8
Vasesqty 8
Photo framesqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mixed salad - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Olives - 6 jars
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilo
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Burger sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Brushes - 4 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Ziplock bags - 1 box
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Fruit for dessert - 5 kilo

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest at the busiest meal: one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per person, plus at least 10% extra. If 40 people attend, that means 44 of each basic item.
For the welcome drinks, count two to three drinks per person for the first hour and chill them at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep a separate supply of drinking glasses and wine glasses near the reception desk.
Allow one coffee cup per guest for a seated coffee service, then add 10% extra. Prepare enough thermos flasks or coffee machines for the number of cups you need to serve within 30 minutes.
Use serving platters and trays for each buffet section rather than relying on one shared set. Put serving spoons with every dish, and keep cutting boards plus chef’s and bread knives ready for the cake and bread.
Check the venue’s equipment 7 days before the weekend, including speakers, microphone, extension cords and power strips. Test the sound system again on arrival so speeches and music do not depend on untested gear.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for an anniversary weekend?: Use one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest for the busiest meal, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, plan 44 of each basic item; add more if washing up between meals is not possible.
How many glasses should I buy for an anniversary reception?: Plan two to three drinking glasses per person for the first hour, with wine glasses based on the number of wine servings. For 40 guests, 80 to 120 drinking glasses covers the opening period if glasses are not washed during service.
When should I chill drinks for the anniversary weekend?: Chill drinks at least 4 hours before the welcome reception. For a large weekend gathering, move them into refrigerators or coolers the evening before so the drinks are cold before setup starts.
What should I check with the venue before shopping?: Check the venue 7 days before the event and confirm which tables, chairs, buffet tables, tablecloths and equipment are included. Confirm power access and test the speakers and microphone again when you arrive.

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