What to Buy for a Garden Wedding

A garden wedding needs more than flowers, food and a wedding cake. You also need enough seating, tableware, serving equipment, chilled storage and a practical backup for changing weather. This shopping list helps you check the physical items before guests arrive, from ceremony chairs and dining tables to water glasses, cool boxes and coffee equipment. Confirm final guest numbers and dietary requirements before buying food, drinks or disposable supplies.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Ceremony chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 4
Coat rack
Dance floor

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Tablespoonsqty 70
Forksqty 70
Knivesqty 70

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Coolersqty 5
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cake knife
Cake stand

Equipment

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Refrigerator
Speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Vasesqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 12
String lightsqty 8
Lanternsqty 10
LED candlesqty 30
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Welcome sign
Name badgesqty 60
Table numbersqty 8
Ring pillow
Photo framesqty 8

Lighting

Outdoor lightsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Rubber glovesqty 6

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Wine openersqty 4
Cocktail shakersqty 2
Glass carafesqty 8
Ice packsqty 20
Dessert serving traysqty 6
Groceries
- Champagne - 10 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Craft beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange soda - 8 liters
- Tonic water - 6 liter
- Ginger beer - 4 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 liters
- Still mineral water - 24 liters
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Olives - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Melon - 3 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Ciabatta - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Parma ham - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Avocado - 20 pieces
- Corn - 8 cans
- Cucumber for salad - 2 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes for salad - 2 kilogram
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Pesto - 6 jars
- Pine nuts - 500 grams
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Grilled vegetables - 6 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 6 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Cocktail sausages - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Fresh basil - 10 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Cupcakes - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 3 kilograms
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Fresh fruit for dessert - 4 kilograms
- Herb butter for bread - 1 kilogram
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Napkin glue - 1 tube

Tips

Plan seating for every guest at the ceremony and reception, then add a small buffer of 5–10% for damaged chairs or last-minute changes. Keep ceremony chairs separate from dining chairs if the layout changes during the day.
Count tableware by service, not just by guest: allow at least one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and water glass per guest, plus 10% extra. Add wine and champagne glasses according to the drinks you will actually serve.
Arrange cold storage at least 24 hours before the wedding. Use cool boxes for drinks and perishable food, and reserve enough refrigerator space for desserts, cake components and dietary items.
Check serving equipment against the menu one week before the wedding. Each buffet dish needs a suitable platter, serving spoon or pair of tongs; provide separate utensils for dishes containing common allergens.
Do not leave the rain plan until the weather forecast looks uncertain. Confirm the party tent, tables, lighting and access arrangements several days ahead, and keep coffee urns, thermos flasks and the water kettle somewhere dry and reachable.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a garden wedding?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and water glass per guest, plus 10% extra. For 80 guests, that means at least 88 of each basic item; wine and champagne glasses depend on the drinks being served.
How much seating do I need for a garden wedding?: Provide one ceremony chair per confirmed guest and one dining place per seated guest. Finalise the count at least two weeks before the wedding, then add 5–10% spare chairs if storage and budget allow.
When should I buy drinks for a garden wedding?: Buy shelf-stable drinks about one week before the wedding and chill them 24 hours in advance. Purchase fresh or refrigerated items as close to the event as practical, while keeping a separate supply for dietary and non-alcoholic requirements.
What do I need for a garden wedding in case of rain?: Arrange a suitable party tent or indoor alternative several days before the wedding, not on the morning itself. Check that it fits the tables, buffet, guests and any dance floor, and confirm dry access for catering and electrical equipment.

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