Civil wedding shopping list: what to buy and bring

A civil wedding needs more than rings and a bouquet. This shopping list covers the practical items for the ceremony, meal, drinks and reception, including tableware, signs, stationery and decoration. Use your final guest count to work out quantities, then add a small buffer for breakage, spills and unexpected guests. Check deliveries and documents several days before the wedding, and chill drinks and prepare snacks on the day itself.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Round tablesqty 8
Long buffet tablesqty 3
Ceremony chairsqty 90
Dinner chairsqty 90
Bar
Coat racksqty 2
Gift table
Welcome table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Pastry platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 90
Dinner cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving bowlsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 11
Napkinsqty 120
Chair coversqty 90
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Vasesqty 24
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 8
Menusqty 90
Wedding bookletsqty 90
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon arch
Buntingqty 8
LED candlesqty 40
Confetti cannonsqty 4
Gift envelope box

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 6
Mobile phone chargersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cake knife and server

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Lanternsqty 8
Outdoor lightsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Dry white wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine - 6 bottles
- Pilsner - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Toast - 12 packs
- Baguettes - 16 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Pasta - 8 kilo
- Pesto sauce - 12 jars
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 5 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 4 kilo
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Beef stew - 6 kilos
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Vegetable mix - 8 kilos
- Dessert sauce - 4 bottles
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Petit fours - 100 pieces
- Coffee spoons - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkin rolls - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Trash bags for glass - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 2 boxes
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes

Tips

Count tableware by guest, then add 10%: for 50 guests, plan for about 55 dinner plates, water glasses, wine glasses and cutlery sets. You will need fewer champagne glasses if you only serve a toast.
Keep ceremony items separate from reception supplies. Pack wedding booklets, pens, the welcome sign and any documents in one clearly labelled box so they are available before guests arrive.
Plan drinks by time, not just by bottle count. For the first hour, allow roughly two to three drinks per adult, plus water throughout the ceremony and meal.
Do not leave seating and serving equipment until the final week. Confirm the number of ceremony chairs, dinner chairs, tables, serving bowls, serving spoons and tablecloths at least 7 days before the wedding.
Prepare a small backup kit for the details people often overlook: extra pens for the guest book, spare napkins, a few additional menus and containers or bags for leftovers.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a civil wedding?: For a seated meal, start with one dinner plate, water glass, wine glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means about 55 of each core item; add pastry plates and coffee cups if dessert and coffee are served.
How much alcohol and soft drink should I buy for a civil wedding?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per adult, then roughly one drink per person per hour. Add water for the full event and increase the amount if the reception lasts more than 4 hours or takes place in warm weather.
When should I buy wedding decorations and stationery?: Buy or confirm tablecloths, napkins, vases, flower arrangements, table numbers, menus and wedding booklets at least 2 weeks before the wedding. Check quantities against the final guest list 7 days before the ceremony.
What should I pack separately for the civil ceremony?: Prepare one ceremony box at least 1 day in advance with wedding booklets, pens, the welcome sign and any required wedding documents. Keep it with the person responsible for setup rather than in a delivery area.

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