Boat Wedding Shopping List

A boat wedding needs more than a wedding menu and a bottle of champagne. Pack for a moving, limited-space venue: enough tableware for every course, chilled drinks, covered serving trays and supplies that can be secured on board. This list helps you shop in stages, from non-perishable items to fresh food and ice on the day. Check quantities against your final guest list, seating plan and boat facilities before buying.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 70
Bar stoolsqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 3
Table linenqty 8
Chair cushionsqty 70

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner knivesqty 75
Dinner forksqty 75
Dessert spoonsqty 75
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20

Decorations

Ceremony arch
Artificial flower garlandsqty 8
Table decorationsqty 8
Glass vasesqty 16
LED candlesqty 40
String lightsqty 8
Welcome sign
Wedding book
Pen for the wedding bookqty 2
Name badgesqty 70
Menusqty 12
Photo framesqty 8
Photo booth accessoriesqty 20

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Bluetooth music player

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bagsqty 80
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Dish brushesqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Stuffed eggs - 60 pieces
- Olives - 2 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted pretzels - 3 bags
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Ciabattas - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 6 kilograms
- Ground beef - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Tomato sauce - 5 liters
- Pesto - 1 kilogram
- Coconut milk - 3 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Barbecue sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Fresh basil - 8 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 36 bottles
- Pils - 96 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 10 bottles
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 80 pcs

Safety

Adult life jacketsqty 70
Children's life jacketsqty 6
Life ringsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Non-slip matsqty 12

Paper goods

Program leafletsqty 70
Table number cardsqty 8
Pensqty 20
Envelopes for the ballot boxqty 80
Tapeqty 6
Double-sided tapeqty 4

Tools

Scissorsqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100
Ropeqty 2
Hammersqty 2
Screwdriversqty 2
Spirit level
Pocket knifeqty 2

Tips

Count tableware for every guest plus 10% spare. For 60 guests, that means at least 66 dinner plates, dessert plates, water glasses and sets of cutlery; add extra wine and champagne glasses if guests may use both.
Plan drinks by service period rather than by bottle alone. Allow roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour, and keep water available throughout the cruise.
Buy fragile and non-perishable items at least one week ahead. This includes glasses, plates, serving spoons, foil, bottle openers, corkscrews and table linen; leave fresh groceries and ice until the final 24 hours.
Use lidded serving trays, coolers and food warmers for food that must travel from the preparation area to the tables. Prepare snacks and portion desserts in advance so service does not depend on a small boat kitchen.
Bring ceremony and safety essentials in separate, labelled containers. Keep rings, ceremony supplies, menus and name cards dry, and check fire extinguishers and other safety equipment before loading food or decorations.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a boat wedding?: Buy one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% spare for breakage and dropped items. For 50 guests, plan for at least 55 dinner plates, dessert plates, water glasses and cutlery sets, with additional wine and champagne glasses as needed.
How many drinks should I buy for a boat wedding?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Add extra water and non-alcoholic options, and chill drinks before boarding rather than relying on limited onboard cooling.
When should I buy food and drinks for a boat wedding?: Buy non-perishable supplies and drinks about one week before the wedding. Purchase fresh groceries within 24 hours of departure, then chill drinks and load ice as close to boarding as the boat and supplier schedule allow.
What food serving supplies are needed on a wedding boat?: Plan for serving platters, serving spoons, tongs, cutting boards, chef’s knives, covered trays, food warmers, coolers and foil. Prepare snacks and portion desserts before departure so food can be served safely without blocking walkways or ceremony seating.

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