What to Buy for a Bridal Shower

A bridal shower shopping list needs more than snacks and decorations. Plan tableware for every guest, serving pieces for the buffet, chilled drinks, coffee supplies and materials for the games or activities. Add a gift table, cake service and simple decorations such as balloons, garlands and flowers. Use the confirmed guest list to set quantities, then finish the main shopping at least two days before the shower so there is time to check missing items and chill drinks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Buffet tablesqty 2
Gift table
Tableclothsqty 6
Table skirtsqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 45
Cake platesqty 45
Coffee cupsqty 40
Water glassesqty 45
Wine glassesqty 40
Champagne glassesqty 40
Dinner cutleryqty 45
Pastry forksqty 45
Serving spoonsqty 8
Scissorsqty 3

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettle
Food warmersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch set
Garlandqty 4
Confetti cannonsqty 4
Vasesqty 8
Artificial flowersqty 30
Photo backdrop
Photo wall stand
Photo propsqty 20
Table numbersqty 6
Place cardsqty 40
Gift tagsqty 40

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED candlesqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Cake knife
Cake stand
Thermos flasksqty 3
Drink dispensersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Mini wraps - 50 pieces
- Filled puff pastry bites - 50 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1,5 kilograms
- Carrots - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 2 kilograms
- Melon - 2 pieces
- Olives - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Guacamole - 3 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 50 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 600 gram
- Parma ham - 500 gram
- Smoked chicken breast - 600 gram
- Smoked salmon - 500 grams
- Egg salad - 3 tubs
- Chicken salad - 3 tubs
- Mixed salad - 2 kg
- Arugula - 300 gram
- Pasta - 2 kilograms
- Pesto sauce - 4 jars
- Cherry tomatoes for pasta - 1 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 400 grams
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Chicken drumsticks - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Wedding cake - 1 cake for 40 people
- Mini cupcakes - 50 pieces
- Macarons - 50 pieces
- Chocolate truffles - 2 kilogram
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Tea and coffee milk - 2 packs
- Sugar packets - 100 pieces
- Mints - 1 box
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Cranberry juice - 3 bottles
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Cocktail picks - 100 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 50 pieces
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Allow one dinner plate, one cake plate, one water glass and one set of dinner cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra for breakage or unexpected guests. Plan one pastry fork per guest for cake.
Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill bottled and canned drinks at least 4 hours ahead; use coolers if refrigerator space is limited.
For coffee, tea and water, provide at least 500 ml of non-alcoholic drinks per guest for a three-hour shower. Check that the coffee machine and kettle can handle the group without creating a queue.
Order the cake and flowers at least 7 days before the shower, especially if the cake has a specific design. Buy balloons, garlands, vases and artificial flowers when the theme and colours are final.
Count activity supplies against the confirmed guest list rather than the invitation list. Keep scissors, serving spoons, extension cords and power strips in the shopping check, since these small items are often noticed only during setup.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a bridal shower?: Plan food, cake, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plates, glasses, cutlery, cake plates and pastry forks for every guest. You may also need buffet serving spoons, coffee cups, decorations, vases, activity supplies and a separate gift table. Use the final guest count and add 10% extra tableware.
How much food and drink do I need for a bridal shower?: For a three-hour shower, plan roughly 6 to 8 small savoury portions per guest, one cake serving per guest and 500 ml of non-alcoholic drinks per person. Allow two to three drinks per person in the first hour, followed by one per hour. Increase the non-alcoholic amount when children or non-drinkers are attending.
When should I buy bridal shower supplies?: Buy decorations, tableware and activity supplies 5 to 7 days before the shower. Order the cake and flowers at least 7 days ahead, then do the final food and drink shopping 1 to 2 days before the event. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a bridal shower?: Provide one dinner plate, one cake plate, one water glass and one set of dinner cutlery per guest, plus 10% extra. If you serve wine or champagne, add one appropriate glass per drinking guest. For a guest list of 20, that means 22 of each basic item.

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