Church wedding shopping list

A church wedding needs more than ceremony programs and flowers. You also need to equip the reception, from tables and chairs to dinner plates, glasses, serving platters and coffee equipment. Use the item list below as your purchasing and collection checklist. Before shopping, confirm the final guest count, dietary requirements and venue rules, then add a small buffer for breakages, late replies and unexpected guests.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Reception tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Gift table
Guestbook table
Clothes racksqty 2
Table signsqty 10
Table linenqty 10

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dinner knivesqty 100
Dinner forksqty 100
Dessert spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Water jugsqty 12
Coffee potsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's Bowlqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Cake knife
Cake spatula
Serving tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Laptop
Charging cablesqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED candlesqty 30
Cable reelsqty 2

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 12
Flower vasesqty 12
Table runnersqty 10
Menu card holdersqty 10
Table numbersqty 10
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Ring pillow
Bridal bouquet
Corsagesqty 12
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 10
Balloonsqty 80
Ribbonsqty 6
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Ceremony bookletsqty 100
Menusqty 90
Table place cardsqty 100

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel dispensersqty 4
Washing-up basinsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Pilsner - 8 crates
- Dry white wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Champagne - 14 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilo
- Smoked meat - 1 kilo
- Olives - 3 kg
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 24 pieces
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Corn - 12 cans
- Baby potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 8 kilo
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Grilled vegetables - 8 kilos
- Chicken breast - 12 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Salmon fillet - 8 kilos
- Tomato sauce - 8 liters
- Pesto sauce - 3 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 4 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Yogurt dressing - 4 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Chives - 6 bunches
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Mixed nuts - 5 kilo
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Mini spring rolls - 200 pieces
- Bitterballen - 250 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 120 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 150 pieces
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Diet bread - 4 loaves
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Vegan mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Gluten-free pasta - 2 kilos
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 100 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Aluminium trays - 50 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Straws - 150 pieces

Tips

Count place settings against the final guest list, then add 5–10% extra plates, forks, knives, glasses and dessert spoons. This covers breakages and makes clearing tables less stressful.
Plan drinks by service period: allow roughly 2–3 drinks per guest during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. Chill bottles at least 6 hours before the reception if possible.
Check every borrowed or hired table, chair, glass and serving item 2–3 days before the wedding. Missing coffee cups or serving spoons are easy to overlook until food is ready.
Buy or collect disposable essentials at least 1 week ahead, including napkins, bin bags, kitchen roll and food labels. Keep them together with the table linen rather than leaving them in separate shopping bags.
Collect the wedding cake and flowers on the agreed day, and confirm delivery times no later than 48 hours beforehand. Reserve a safe, cool place for the cake and keep flowers away from direct sun and heat.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a church wedding?: Plan one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus 5–10% spare. For glasses, allow at least one water glass and one wine glass per guest, with extra glasses if drinks will not be washed between courses.
How much food and drink should I buy for a church wedding?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and add 5–10% for food portions and tableware. For drinks, plan 2–3 drinks per guest in the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per hour.
When should I buy the church wedding supplies?: Buy non-perishable supplies, printed materials and table items 1–2 weeks before the wedding. Confirm fresh food, flowers, drinks and cake deliveries 48–72 hours ahead, then chill drinks the day before.
What should I check before collecting hired wedding equipment?: Check quantities and condition 2–3 days before the event, including chairs, tables, table linen, plates, glasses and serving utensils. Keep a written count so missing or damaged items can be reported before the wedding day.

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