Classic wedding shopping list

A classic wedding needs more than plates and chairs. You will also need the right glasses, serving pieces, coffee equipment, cooling space and audio gear, with enough spares for breakage and last-minute guests. Use this list to check what must be bought, hired or brought to the venue. Confirm quantities against your final guest list, menu and table plan at least two weeks before the wedding.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Round tablesqty 8
Long buffet tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 90
High tablesqty 6
Table linenqty 12
Chair coversqty 90

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 90
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Table knivesqty 100
Table forksqty 100
Table spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 16
Cake knife
Serving plattersqty 12
Dessert serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Music player
Audio mixer

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Table lampsqty 8
LED candlesqty 40

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 10
Welcome sign
Ceremony arch
Ribbonsqty 6
Table decorationsqty 8
Candle holdersqty 40
Ring pillow
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Table numbersqty 8
Menusqty 90
Name badgesqty 90
Ceremony programsqty 100

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 4
Cake stand
Cake spatula

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilo
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Baba ganoush - 1 kilo
- Crackers - 10 packs
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Mixed appetizers - 240 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Bitterballen - 160 pieces
- Mini vegetable spring rolls - 120 pieces
- Beef - 8 kilo
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Vegetarian main courses - 12 portions
- Potatoes - 10 kilos
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Vegetable mix - 8 kilos
- Green beans - 5 kilos
- Gravy - 4 liters
- Mushroom sauce - 3 liters
- Red wine sauce - 3 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Petit fours - 100 pieces
- Coffee cups - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Kitchen gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% spare: for 100 guests, that means 110 dinner plates, dessert plates, forks and knives. Add coffee cups, spoons and glasses according to the drinks you will serve.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Check that your refrigerators or coolers can hold the drinks before delivery day, not just on the wedding morning.
Order or hire serving equipment to match the menu: include at least one serving spoon or utensil per dish, enough platters for the buffet and a separate cake knife and dessert trays.
Count furniture from the seating plan rather than the venue capacity. Include one chair per seated guest, enough round or long tables for the layout, and high tables if guests will stand during the reception.
Test the sound setup in the actual ceremony and reception spaces at least one day ahead. Bring extension cords and power strips, and check that the microphones, speakers, music player and audio mixer use compatible connections.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a wedding?: Start with one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus 10% spare. For 100 guests, prepare 110 of each; glass quantities depend on the menu, but plan separate water, wine and champagne glasses if all three are served.
How much wedding drink should I buy per guest?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Add extra water and non-alcoholic options, and keep chilled storage capacity for the full delivery rather than relying only on ice buckets.
When should I confirm wedding deliveries?: Confirm furniture, tableware, catering equipment, flowers, cake and drinks at least 7 days before the wedding. Recheck delivery times, access instructions and a contact person's phone number 24 to 48 hours before the event.
What equipment do I need for wedding speeches and music?: Plan for microphones, speakers, a music player and an audio mixer, plus extension cords and power strips. Test every connection in the venue at least 24 hours beforehand and keep a backup cable available.

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