What to Buy for an Elopement

A small elopement still needs more than outfits and rings. You may need ceremony furniture, dinner tableware, serving equipment, drinks storage, lighting and simple décor, especially if the ceremony and meal happen at different venues. Use your guest count to set quantities: plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and water glass per guest, plus 10% extra. Buy or borrow items early, then chill drinks and check deliveries before the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 10
Ceremony table
Table linenqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 10
Dessert platesqty 10
Cutlery setsqty 10
Wine glassesqty 10
Water glassesqty 10
Champagne glassesqty 10
Coffee cupsqty 10
Serving plattersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Cake knife
Serving spoonsqty 6
Food warmersqty 3

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Coffee maker
Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Umbrellasqty 6
Phone chargersqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 4
Ceremony arch
Table décorqty 3
Menusqty 10
Place cardsqty 10
Guest book
Pensqty 3
Ring pillow
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 4
Wedding attireqty 2
Wedding shoesqty 2
Ring box

Catering

Wedding rings
Wedding bouquet
Flower corsageqty 2
Wedding cake
Groceries
- Champagne - 3 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Non-alcoholic sparkling juice - 2 bottles
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baguette - 5 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic - 2 bulbs
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 4 pieces
- Mushrooms - 750 gram
- Potatoes - 3 kilo
- Green asparagus - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast fillet - 1,5 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 6 pieces
- Feta - 400 grams
- Parmesan cheese - 250 grams
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Mixed nuts - 500 grams
- Olives - 2 jars
- Grapes - 1 kilo
- Strawberries - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 1 box
- Cake candles - 1 box
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 8 pieces
Thermos flasksqty 2
Drink dispensersqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Broom
Dustpan and brush
Mop

Tips

Plan tableware for every guest plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, that means 22 dinner plates, 22 dessert plates, 22 cutlery sets and 22 water glasses; add wine or champagne glasses based on what you are serving.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Keep non-alcoholic drinks separate and use coolers if the venue has limited refrigeration.
Do not leave ceremony décor until the final week. Confirm the ceremony arch, flower arrangements, table décor, menus and place cards at least 7 days before the elopement.
Check the practical kitchen items before buying food. A cake knife, serving spoons, platters, cutting boards, a chef’s knife, coffee maker and kettle are easy to miss when the venue only provides furniture.
Prepare lighting and power for the evening. Count every string light and LED lantern, test the Bluetooth speaker, and bring extension cords long enough to reach the nearest safe outlet before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a small elopement dinner?: For each guest, plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one water glass, plus 10% spare. Add serving platters, serving spoons, table linen, drinks, menus or place cards, and coffee cups if coffee is being served.
How much alcohol do I need for an elopement?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. For 10 guests over three hours, that is roughly 40 to 50 drinks, with extra water and non-alcoholic options.
When should I buy elopement decorations?: Buy or confirm the ceremony arch, flowers, table décor, menus and place cards at least 7 days before the event. Check that deliveries are confirmed and keep fragile items together for setup.
How many chairs and tables do I need for an elopement?: Plan one ceremony or dinner chair per guest, plus seats for the couple and officiant if they are not included in the guest count. The number of tables depends on the venue layout, so confirm the required size and quantity at least 2 weeks ahead.

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