Dinner Dance Shopping List

A dinner dance needs more than food, drinks and a playlist. You also need enough tableware for a full meal, glassware for different drinks, serving equipment and a practical setup for changing from dinner to dancing. Use the guest count and confirmed menu to calculate quantities, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills and unexpected guests. Check deliveries, chilled items and ice no later than the day before the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 66
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat rack
Clothes hangersqty 70

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Deep platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Table knivesqty 75
Table forksqty 75
Table spoonsqty 75
Dessert spoonsqty 75
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Coffee potsqty 4
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring jugsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Serving tongsqty 10
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 3
Storage binsqty 20

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Name card holdersqty 66
Candle holdersqty 8
Artificial flower arrangementsqty 8
Welcome sign
Photo backdrop
Dance floor panelsqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Laptop
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED spotlightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Trash binsqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Salmon fillet - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian main dishes - 10 pieces
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Broccoli - 3 kilograms
- Green beans - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Fresh basil - 4 bunches
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Cooking oil - 2 liters
- Cream - 4 liters
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Parmesan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Cake - 2 cakes
- Dessert fruit - 5 kilos
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Tonic water - 6 bottles
- Cocktail fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Appetizers - 8 platters
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Diet stickers - 30 pieces

Tips

Count one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra for breakages or late replacements. For a 50-person dinner dance, that means 55 dinner plates, forks, knives and water glasses.
Plan glassware by service rather than by guest alone. If wine, water and champagne are served at different points, provide enough of each type for the busiest service period instead of assuming one glass per person.
Buy or reserve ice and chilled storage at least 24 hours ahead. Ice melts quickly during a dinner service, so keep backup supplies in coolers rather than leaving everything beside the bar.
Match serving equipment to the menu before shopping. Each buffet dish needs a suitable serving spoon, tong or ladle, and hot food needs enough capacity in the warming containers to avoid repeated refilling.
Do not leave the practical extras until the event day. Check coat hangers, name cards, coffee service, chopping boards, measuring jugs and platters when you confirm the final guest list and catering quantities.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a dinner dance?: Allow one full place setting per confirmed guest and add 10% extra. For 40 guests, prepare at least 44 dinner plates, forks, knives, water glasses and the relevant bowls or dessert plates for the menu.
How many glasses should I buy for a dinner dance?: Start with one water glass and one wine glass per guest, then add 10% to cover breakages and replacements. If champagne is served, plan a separate champagne glass for every guest expected to drink it, plus a small spare supply.
How much ice do I need for a dinner dance?: Allow roughly 1 kilogram of ice per 3 to 4 guests for a short dinner dance, and more if drinks are served outdoors or the event lasts several hours. For 50 guests, prepare about 13 to 17 kilograms and keep it in coolers until needed.
When should I buy supplies for a dinner dance?: Reserve furniture, glassware and serving equipment at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Buy dry goods and drinks several days before, then purchase fresh products and ice as close to the event as storage and delivery times allow.

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