What to buy for a bridal tasting

A bridal tasting needs more than sample dishes. You also need enough plates, glasses, serving pieces, kitchen equipment and printed information to keep each course moving smoothly. Plan quantities from the confirmed guest count, then add roughly 10% extra for breakage, spills and unexpected guests. Buy shelf-stable items first, arrange fresh food close to the tasting date, and keep cake, desserts and other chilled samples refrigerated until serving.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 6
Dining tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 5
Registration desk
Stoolsqty 8
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 50
Water glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Champagne glassesqty 50
Forksqty 70
Knivesqty 70
Spoonsqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 15
Serving plattersqty 15
Serving boardsqty 8
Cake standsqty 4
Pastry forksqty 60

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Whiskqty 2
Baking traysqty 4
Baking dishesqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Induction hobsqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3

Equipment

Laptop
Presentation screen
Projector
Microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging stationsqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Napkin ringsqty 50
Vasesqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Tealight holdersqty 20
Menu Card Holdersqty 20
Name card holdersqty 50
Mood lightingqty 6
Photo framesqty 8
Table décorqty 20

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
String lightsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilos
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Black tea - 80 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Ciabatta - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Avocado - 12 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Melon - 4 pieces
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilo
- Parma ham - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Young cheese - 1 kilo
- Mozzarella - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Risotto rice - 2 kilo
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Vegetable broth - 2 liters
- Chicken broth - 2 liters
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Tomato sauce - 3 liter
- Coconut milk - 3 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Basil - 8 bunches
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Rosemary - 4 bunches
- Pine nuts - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Flour - 2 kilos
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilos
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilo
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilo
- Vanilla extract - 2 bottles
- Gelatin - 2 boxes
- Mini pastries - 60 pieces
- Macarons - 60 pieces
- Mini brownies - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Milk chocolate - 500 grams
- Honey - 2 jars
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles

Tips

Count tableware by guest and course: provide one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per person, then add at least 10% extra. For a group of 20, that means planning for 22 place settings.
Allow two water glasses per guest if the tasting lasts several hours, plus separate wine and champagne glasses for every planned pairing. Keep spare glasses available rather than washing them between samples.
Do not leave allergy cards and menu cards until the last day. Print them at least 2–3 days before the tasting, using the final dish names and the dietary information collected from guests.
Order fresh ingredients 1–2 days before the tasting and complete non-perishable shopping earlier. Keep desserts and cake refrigerated, and check that you have boards, knives, trays and serving platters before cooking begins.
Set aside serving equipment for each sample: tongs, serving spoons, platters, boards and cake stands. Label each piece before guests arrive so a dessert stand or tasting board is not borrowed for another course.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a bridal tasting?: Plan one complete place setting per confirmed guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives and spoons, with additional coffee spoons and pastry forks if those courses are served.
How many glasses should I buy for a bridal tasting?: Allow two water glasses per person for a tasting lasting several hours. Add one wine glass and one champagne glass per guest for each simultaneous serving, plus about 10% extra for breakage.
When should I buy food for a bridal tasting?: Buy non-perishable ingredients and supplies several days ahead. Order fresh ingredients 1–2 days before the tasting, then refrigerate cake, desserts and other chilled samples as soon as they arrive.
How many menu and allergy cards do I need?: Print one menu and one allergy card set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Print them 2–3 days before the tasting, after the guest list, dish details and dietary requirements are final.

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