What you need for a drive-in wedding

A drive-in wedding needs more than a ceremony setup and a playlist. Guests need a clear place to park, a comfortable view, food and drinks they can handle from their cars, and enough equipment for announcements and music. Use this shopping list alongside your guest count, then add roughly 10% extra for disposable or breakable serving items. Check deliveries and weather protection several days before the wedding, not on the morning itself.

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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 60
Buffet tablesqty 4
Ceremony chairsqty 55
Table skirtsqty 10
Table linenqty 10
Cake table
Coat rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Cake platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Dinner knivesqty 70
Dinner forksqty 70
Cake forksqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 5
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable lampsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Hot traysqty 6
Serving traysqty 12
Cake cutting set
Camera

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Photo backdrop
Ring pillow
Welcome sign
Menusqty 10
Name badgesqty 60
Program cardsqty 65
Parking passesqty 60
Table numbersqty 10
Candlesqty 30
Candle holdersqty 15
Confettiqty 4
Ribbon for car decorationqty 6
Reusable chalkboardsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Scissorsqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3
Bread basketsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 2
Centerpieceqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towelsqty 8
Toilet paperqty 24
First aid kit
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Waste sorting binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 30 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 10 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Cranberry juice - 4 liter
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Ciabatta - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 800 grams
- Serrano ham - 800 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 800 gram
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Pears - 20 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Couscous salad - 3 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 80 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 50 pieces
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Mini sausages - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Tortilla chips - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 2 kilos
- Plain chips - 2 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 1.5 kilos
- Olives - 1.5 kilo
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 800 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Balsamic dressing - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Wedding cake - 60 portions
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Straws - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Garbage bags - 50 pieces
- Diet meals - 8 portions

Tips

Plan one parking space per car, then reserve at least two additional spaces for suppliers, accessibility, and last-minute changes. Print parking cards and share the route before guests arrive.
For drinks, allow around 2–3 servings per guest during the first hour, then 1 serving per hour. Keep non-alcoholic options, water, and chilled drinks in separate coolers so guests can find them quickly.
Order or prepare about 6–8 small bites per guest for a short reception, or 10–12 for a longer pre-dinner period. Label food clearly for the dietary requirements collected with the RSVPs.
Count seating separately for the ceremony and meal: provide one chair per guest who will leave the car, plus at least one accessible space with a clear route. Two buffet tables usually give a small wedding enough serving room.
Test the microphones, speakers, mixer, extension cables, and rechargeable lights at the venue at least 48 hours beforehand. Bring spare batteries or fully charged replacements, and keep the ceremony script printed even if the sound system works.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a drive-in wedding?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per guest during the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per guest per hour. Include water and alcohol-free drinks in the total, and chill them at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
How much food should I buy for a drive-in wedding?: For a short reception, allow 6–8 bite-sized pieces per guest; for a reception lasting several hours before dinner, allow 10–12. Add about 10% extra for unexpected guests or uneven portions.
How many chairs and tables are needed for a drive-in wedding?: Provide one ceremony chair for each guest who will sit outside a vehicle, plus 5–10% spare chairs if space allows. For food service, start with two buffet tables and one separate table for the cake, then add more when the guest count exceeds about 50.
When should I arrange equipment for a drive-in wedding?: Confirm furniture, catering, sound equipment, and deliveries at least 7 days before the wedding. Test the full audio and lighting setup 48 hours beforehand, and review the weather forecast again 24 hours before the event.

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