What you need for a consecration service and reception
Use this shopping list to prepare both parts of the day: the consecration service and the reception afterward. Count place settings for every confirmed guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages, late arrivals and dietary changes. Separate altar items, reception supplies and sound equipment before shopping so nothing needed in the church is left in the reception room. Fresh catering and chilled drinks should be collected as close to serving time as possible.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Chairsqty 120
- Foldable tablesqty 12
- Reception desk
- Dressing table
- Coat racksqty 2
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 120
- Pastry platesqty 120
- Coffee cupsqty 120
- Water glassesqty 140
- Wine glassesqty 120
- Coffee spoonsqty 120
- Table knivesqty 120
- Table spoonsqty 120
- Cake forksqty 120
- Serving plattersqty 16
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Carafesqty 12
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 12
- Chair coversqty 20
- Flower arrangementsqty 8
- Welcome sign
- Menu Card Holdersqty 12
- Name card holdersqty 120
- Cross
- Candlesticksqty 6
- Altar cloth
- Lectern
Equipment
- Wireless microphonesqty 3
- Microphone standsqty 3
- Speakersqty 2
- Mixer
- Audio cablesqty 6
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Laptop
- USB stickqty 2
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 3
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 8
- Coolersqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Bread knivesqty 4
- Kitchen knivesqty 4
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Cake knifeqty 2
- Labelsqty 120
- Kitchen scalesqty 2
Lighting
- LED string lightsqty 4
- LED lanternsqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Grape juice - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Roast beef slices - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Herb cheese - 1 kilogram
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 120 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian mini sandwiches - 60 pieces
- Vegan mini sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Cream puffs - 120 pieces
- Mini pastries - 120 pieces
- Lemon cake - 4 pieces
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Stirrers - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Candles - 12 pieces
- Matches - 2 boxes
- AA batteries - 12 pieces
- AAA batteries - 12 pieces
Tips
- Plan one complete place setting per guest: dinner plate, pastry plate, coffee cup, water glass, wine glass and the required cutlery. Add 10% extra, especially when items are hired or collected from different places.
- Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour of the reception, then one drink per person per hour. Buy or reserve extra carafes and glasses if guests will serve themselves.
- Keep the altar cloth, cross, candlesticks, Bible and liturgical books together in a labelled box. Check this box the day before, rather than discovering a missing item when the church is being set up.
- Prepare at least two wireless microphones if speeches, readings or musical contributions are planned, and test them with the speakers before guests arrive. Keep microphone stands and any required cables in the same equipment case.
- Order printed programmes, name cards and the welcome sign at least one week before the service. Print 5–10% more programmes than confirmed guests so late registrations and damaged copies are covered.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need to buy for a consecration service reception?
- Plan tableware, serving platters and tongs, carafes, drinks, tablecloths, seating, flowers, signage and any hired sound equipment. For tableware, count one full setting per guest and add 10% extra.
- How many glasses and plates do I need for the reception?
- Use the confirmed guest count as your base: one dinner plate, pastry plate, coffee cup, water glass and wine glass per person. Add 10% extra, so 55 settings are sensible for 50 guests.
- When should I order catering for a consecration reception?
- Confirm the caterer and guest count at least 7–14 days before the service, then send dietary requirements with the final order. Arrange collection or delivery for the same day, ideally 1–2 hours before serving.
- How much extra should I buy for a church reception?
- Buy or reserve 10% more disposable or breakable items than the guest count, and 5–10% more printed programmes. For 80 guests, that means planning for about 88 place settings and up to 88 programmes.
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