What you need for a Catholic wedding

A Catholic wedding needs supplies for two different parts of the day: the church service and the reception afterwards. This shopping list covers the items guests and helpers often overlook, from missal booklets and church seating to wine glasses, cake servers and coffee equipment. Check quantities against your guest list before shopping, then confirm what the church, caterer and venue already provide. Schedule a final stock check at least 48 hours before the wedding.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Round tablesqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 90
Wedding table
Coat racksqty 2
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 120
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 90
Dinner cutlery setsqty 100
Serving utensilsqty 20
Bread basketsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving platters for cakeqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cake knife
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 10
Food warmersqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Laptops

Decorations

White tableclothsqty 14
Napkinsqty 120
Table runnersqty 10
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Altar flower arrangementsqty 2
Chair floral arrangementsqty 12
Table numbersqty 10
Name badgesqty 90
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Candlesqty 30
Candle holdersqty 15
Ring cushion
Mass bookletsqty 100
Welcome sign
Gift table
Envelope box

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Lanternsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mop setsqty 2
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Wedding cake
Bridal bouquet
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé wine - 8 bottles
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Parma ham - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Pears - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Pasta - 4 kilo
- Chicken breast - 10 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 6 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Vegetable burgers - 30 pieces
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Tomato sauce - 5 liters
- Pesto - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Dressing - 3 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Chocolate truffles - 4 kilos
- Mini pastries - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Salted nuts - 4 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Bitterballen - 200 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 150 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 100 pieces
- Late sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Cheese for late rolls - 2 kilo
- Ham for late sandwiches - 2 kilos
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins for buffet - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Matches - 2 boxes

Tips

Prepare one missal booklet for each guest, plus 5–10 extra copies for late confirmations, family members and damaged booklets. Keep them together in a clearly labelled box for the church entrance.
Plan tableware for every seated guest, then add 10% spare pieces. For a guest list of 100, that means preparing about 110 dinner plates, dessert plates, water glasses and dinner cutlery sets.
Do not leave drinks until the wedding morning. Chill wine, champagne and soft drinks at least 12 hours ahead, and keep a separate cooler available for bottles that do not fit in the refrigerators.
Assign the cake knife, serving platters for cake and serving tongs to one named helper. Put them at the reception venue before guests arrive so the cake cutting does not depend on a last-minute search.
Check coffee service as a complete set: coffee cups, coffee spoons, coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks. For a reception of 100 guests, provide at least two coffee service points or enough equipment to avoid a long queue.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Catholic wedding reception?: Plan tableware, serving platters, serving utensils, drinks equipment, coffee supplies and cake-cutting tools. Count one complete place setting per seated guest and add 10% spare items.
How many wedding plates and glasses do I need?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and add 10%. For 80 guests, prepare about 88 dinner plates, dessert plates and water glasses; wine, champagne and coffee cups depend on your serving plan.
When should I chill drinks for a Catholic wedding?: Chill drinks at least 12 hours before the reception. Check refrigerators and coolers the day before, then move the final bottles into place several hours before guests arrive.
How many missal booklets should I print for a Catholic wedding?: Print one booklet per expected guest, plus 5–10% extra. For 100 guests, prepare 105 to 110 booklets and place them at the church at least 30 minutes before the ceremony.

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