What to Buy for a Black-Tie Party
A black-tie party needs more than formal clothes and a good dinner. Plan the tableware, glassware, chilled drinks, lighting and serving equipment before shopping, because missing small items can delay the whole setup. Count guests first, then allow enough pieces for every course, drink and place setting. This list also covers practical details such as coat hangers, name badges, extension cords and ice, which are easy to overlook until guests arrive.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Round tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 70
- Buffet tablesqty 3
- Bar stoolsqty 6
- Coat racksqty 2
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 75
- Dessert platesqty 75
- Cutlery setsqty 75
- Wine glassesqty 90
- Champagne glassesqty 75
- Water glassesqty 75
- Coffee cupsqty 75
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 10
Decorations
- Black tableclothsqty 8
- White table runnersqty 8
- Cloth napkinsqty 75
- Table numbersqty 8
- Name badgesqty 70
- Menusqty 70
- Flower arrangementsqty 8
- LED candlesqty 32
- Welcome sign
- Coat hangersqty 80
Equipment
- Coolersqty 4
- Bluetooth speakersqty 2
- Microphone
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Ice cube traysqty 4
Kitchen
- Corkscrewsqty 3
- Bottle openersqty 3
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Serving tongsqty 6
- Kitchen scales
Lighting
- LED string lightsqty 6
- Standing lampsqty 4
Cleaning
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mopsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé wine - 6 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Whisky - 2 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini brioche rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilos
- Parma ham - 2 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Risotto rice - 4 kilos
- Vegetable stock - 6 liters
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Salmon fillet - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian main courses - 10 portions
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Green beans - 5 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Chocolate dessert - 70 portions
- Coffee spoon sugar - 2 packs
- Cocktail picks - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
Tips
- Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one complete cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Add serving platters separately so food is not served from cooking containers.
- Plan at least one wine glass, one water glass and one champagne glass per guest if all drinks may be served during the same part of the evening. For a three-hour party, chill drinks before guests arrive and keep extra ice ready.
- Buy or prepare one cloth napkin per guest, then add 10% spare napkins. Black tablecloths, white runners and menus create the formal look, but table numbers and name badges prevent confusion when seating is assigned.
- Check the venue’s power points before buying or bringing lighting and audio equipment. Test the Bluetooth speakers, microphone, extension cords, power strips and LED candles together during setup rather than just checking each item separately.
- Provide one coat hanger for every guest if coats will be stored at the venue, with at least 10% extra. Set out the welcome sign, menus and dietary information before guests arrive so late changes do not interrupt dinner service.
Frequently asked questions
- What plates and cutlery do I need for a black-tie party?
- Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one complete cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 dinner plates, 55 dessert plates and 55 cutlery sets.
- How many glasses do I need per guest for a formal dinner?
- Use one wine glass, one water glass and one champagne glass per guest when these drinks are served during the evening. For 50 guests, buy or hire at least 50 of each type, or 55 of each if you want a 10% spare allowance.
- How much ice should I buy for a black-tie party?
- Allow roughly 1 kilogram of ice per guest for a drinks-focused three-hour party, then add more if the venue is warm or drinks will be served from coolers. Keep the ice in coolers and reserve some for serving rather than using all of it to chill bottles.
- What should I buy for a black-tie party table setting?
- For each guest, plan a dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set, cloth napkin, water glass and wine glass. Add tablecloths, runners, menus, table numbers, flower arrangements and LED candles according to the number and layout of your tables.
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