What to buy for a day-after-wedding party

A day-after-wedding party is usually a relaxed barbecue or buffet, but it still needs more supplies than you expect. Plan food and drinks for the confirmed guest count, then add enough serving ware, ice, cooling space and waste capacity for several hours outdoors. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to forget after the wedding itself. Check dietary requirements before buying, and keep separate meals clearly labelled when guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Beer tablesqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar
Chairsqty 55
Lounge cushionsqty 20
High tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 5

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Beer glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 16
Serving boardsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 9
Napkin holdersqty 9
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Welcome sign
Menusqty 6
String lightsqty 6
Balloon archesqty 2
Candle holdersqty 12

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4
Beer cratesqty 5
Bottle openersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Aluminum grill traysqty 10
Ice packsqty 12
Food containersqty 12
Storage binsqty 12

Lighting

Outdoor lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Spongesqty 12
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken skewers - 5 kilograms
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chipolata sausages - 4 kilograms
- Marinated chicken breast - 4 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Garlic butter - 1 kilogram
- New potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Mixed green salad - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 1,5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 2 liters
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Satay sauce - 2 liters
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Fresh fruit - 8 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Mini Cucumbers - 2 kilogram
- Brownies - 60
- Mini ice cream cones - 60 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Coffee - 1,5 kilogram
- Tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Fruit juice - 8 liters
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Buy drinks for the full afternoon, not just the meal: allow about two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one per person per hour, plus water and non-alcoholic options. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and collect the ice on the day.
For a barbecue, shop for the final guest count and keep meat, salads and desserts separate until serving. Buy extra vegetables and salad ingredients rather than relying on one large dish, especially if guests are arriving at different times.
Count tableware against your guest list, then add roughly 10% spare plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery. A buffet needs serving spoons, small bowls and serving boards as well; these are often forgotten when the shopping is done after the wedding.
Plan cooling and cooking together: check the barbecue and gas cylinders before shopping, and allow enough cooler space for drinks and perishable food. Move salads, desserts and diet meals into refrigeration as soon as they are prepared.
Prepare the outdoor setup before the party day where possible. Include waste bins, tablecloths, napkin holders, lighting and shelter in the plan, and check the weather forecast early enough to reserve an extra party tent if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a day-after-wedding barbecue?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and plan one full meal per person, including meat or another main option, salads, vegetables and dessert. Buy around 10% extra for popular dishes and unexpected guests.
How many drinks should I buy for a day-after-wedding party?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Add water, soft drinks and alcohol-free options, then chill the drinks at least 4 hours before serving.
How many plates and glasses do I need for the party?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl and basic cutlery set per guest, plus about 10% spare. For a seated meal, provide one water glass and one glass for the main drink per person; add more if glasses will not be washed during the event.
When should I buy ice and collect the drinks?: Collect ice and chilled drinks on the day of the party, ideally 2 to 4 hours before guests arrive. Keep reserve ice in coolers and separate raw barbecue food from ready-to-eat salads, desserts and labelled diet meals.

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