What to buy for a golden wedding anniversary

A golden wedding anniversary usually combines a sit-down meal, drinks, speeches, photographs and cake, so the shopping list needs to cover more than food. Plan tableware for every guest, plus serving pieces, coffee equipment, chilled storage and practical items for the room. Count glasses and plates against the final guest list, then add a small reserve before buying or hiring. Check dietary requirements and the menu before placing catering and cake orders, ideally at least two weeks ahead.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Table linenqty 10
Table skirtsqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 70
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Dinner knivesqty 70
Dinner forksqty 70
Dessert forksqty 70
Serving utensilsqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cake knife
Cake spatulaqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice spoonsqty 4
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Laptops
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Charging cablesqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
LED light stringsqty 6
Table decorationsqty 10
Flower vasesqty 10
Photo framesqty 12
Photo backdrop
Guest book
Name badgesqty 60
Menusqty 60
Table numbersqty 8
Candlesqty 24
Candle holdersqty 12
Balloon weightsqty 6

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4
Battery lightsqty 12

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 3
Tea towelsqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 5 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Pilsener - 4 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Champagne - 8 bottles
- Bitterballen - 150 pieces
- Mini cheese soufflés - 100 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 100 pieces
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Salami - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Pears - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Rice salad - 3 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Meatballs - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian balls - 40 pieces
- Salmon fillet - 3 kilograms
- Potato croquettes - 4 kilogram
- Grilled vegetables - 4 kg
- Green beans - 3 kilograms
- Gravy - 3 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Basil - 4 bunches
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Cake - 1 piece for 60 people
- Petit fours - 70 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles

Tips

Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, coffee cup, dinner knife and dinner fork per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages, dropped cutlery and late additions.
Allow two to three drinking glasses per guest for the first hour, with separate water, wine and champagne glasses if all three will be served. Check that the venue has enough space to store clean and used glasses.
For a buffet, provide at least one serving utensil for each dish and choose covered serving bowls for food that will stand out. Collect platters, tongs and serving spoons before the day rather than discovering gaps during setup.
Order the anniversary cake early enough to confirm the size, collection time and transport box. Keep a cake knife, cake server and a stable table ready before the cake arrives.
Do not leave chilled drinks and fresh food until the last minute: arrange cool boxes or refrigeration, collect fresh items on the day, and keep thermos flasks ready if coffee will be served away from the kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a golden wedding anniversary?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, cup, knife and fork per guest, plus 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each main item where possible.
How many glasses do I need per guest?: Allow two to three glasses per person for the first hour, depending on whether water, wine and champagne are served. For 50 guests, prepare at least 100 glasses and preferably 150 if washing up during the event is not practical.
When should I order a golden wedding anniversary cake?: Order it at least two weeks before the celebration, and confirm the final guest count, collection time and storage requirements three to five days beforehand. Collect it on the agreed day and keep it level during transport.
When should I buy food and drinks for the anniversary party?: Buy packaged drinks and non-perishable supplies two to three days ahead. Pick up fresh food and the cake on the day, allowing at least one hour before guests arrive for safe storage and setup.

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