What you need for a cow dance

A cow dance needs more than black-and-white decorations. Plan for a covered area, enough seating, a working sound system and separate stations for drinks, food and coats. As a starting point, provide one reusable drinking glass per guest plus 10% extra, and make sure chilled drinks, ice and serving equipment are ready before guests arrive. This list also helps you spot the items that are easy to leave until the last minute, such as extension cords, coat hangers and serving trays with lids.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 100
Bar stoolsqty 8
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 120

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 150
Wine glassesqty 60
Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Equipment

Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Frying pansqty 2
Serving trays with lidsqty 8

Decorations

Cow buntingqty 8
Black-and-white balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 12
Welcome sign
Menusqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Pilsner - 8 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Mini frikandellen - 200 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 150 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 200 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Vegetarian snacks - 150 pieces
- Gluten-free snacks - 50 pieces
- Vegan snacks - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Buy or borrow 10% more tableware than your guest count: for 50 guests, that means at least 55 drinking glasses, plates and cutlery sets. Add wine glasses and bowls if they are part of the menu.
Plan one cooler for drinks and keep a separate supply of ice for serving. Fill the coolers before setup, then top them up during the evening rather than relying on a single ice cube tray.
Check the sound equipment before shopping day: you need the sound system, microphones, speaker stands, extension cords and power strips, with enough cable length to keep walkways clear.
For an outdoor cow dance, arrange party tents before buying decorations. Add tables, chairs and coat racks to the delivery or borrowing list, and get one clothes hanger per coat space you expect to use.
Prepare the buffet with serving platters, tongs and trays with lids before guests arrive. Put tablecloths, cow bunting and black-and-white balloons aside in one labelled box so decorating does not delay food and sound setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many glasses do I need for a cow dance?: Allow one reusable drinking glass per guest, plus 10% extra for replacements and drinks left behind. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 glasses; add separate wine glasses if wine is being served.
How much seating is needed for a cow dance?: Provide one chair for every guest who may eat or need a break. For 50 guests, start with 50 folding chairs and add tables that seat the same number without crowding the buffet area.
When should I buy ice and chill the drinks?: Buy or make the ice no more than 24 hours before the event and chill drinks for at least 6 hours. Load the coolers shortly before setup so they stay cold during transport and opening.
What equipment should I check before the cow dance?: Test the sound system, microphones and speaker stands at least 24 hours beforehand. Check every extension cord and power strip on the same day, and keep cables away from entrances and wet areas.

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