What to Buy for a Haldi Ceremony

A Haldi ceremony needs more than turmeric paste and yellow decorations. Plan the ingredients, bowls and spoons for the ceremony, enough tableware for the guest count, and separate serving pieces for food and desserts. Drinks, snacks, flowers and weather protection are easy to arrange too late, especially when the ceremony is outdoors. Use this list to check what must be bought, collected or prepared before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Ceremonial table
Side tablesqty 4
Coat rack
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 20
Drinking glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 75
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pitchersqty 8
Teapotsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Haldi bowlsqty 8
Haldi spoonsqty 8
Wooden stirring spoonsqty 10

Decorations

Yellow table runnersqty 8
Cloth napkinsqty 80
Flower vasesqty 12
Flower garlandsqty 6
Artificial flowersqty 80
Yellow balloonsqty 100
Orange balloonsqty 50
Balloon pumpqty 2
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Balloon weightqty 8
Backdrop clothsqty 3
Photo frameqty 2
Welcome sign
Table decorationsqty 12
LED candlesqty 24
Decorative cushionsqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Induction platesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
String lightsqty 8
Outdoor lightsqty 6
Rechargeable lampsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3
Storage binsqty 20
Cookie boxesqty 6
Cake knife
Tea towelsqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4
Paper towel holdersqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Turmeric - 1 kilogram
- Chickpea flour - 1 kilogram
- Yogurt - 2 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Rose water - 2 bottles
- Coconut oil - 2 bottles
- Honey - 1 jar
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Salt - 1 pack
- Cumin powder - 1 jar
- Coriander powder - 1 jar
- Garam masala - 1 jar
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Cardamom - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Cloves - 1 jar
- Basmati rice - 6 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 3 kilograms
- Lentils - 2 kilograms
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Eggplants - 2 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 3 pieces
- Spinach - 2 kilograms
- Coriander - 10 bunches
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Green peppers - 250 grams
- Lemongrass - 4 stalks
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
- Cooking cream - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Ghee - 2 jars
- Papadums - 100 pieces
- Naan bread - 70 pieces
- Samosas - 100 pieces
- Pakoras - 100 pieces
- Mini Spring Rolls - 100 pieces
- Mango chutney - 3 jars
- Raita - 4 liters
- Tamarind sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Mint chutney - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Cashews - 1 kilogram
- Pistachios - 500 grams
- Raisins - 500 grams
- Dates - 1 kilogram
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mangoes - 20 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Pineapples - 3 pieces
- Fresh mint for drinks - 5 bunches
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Mango juice - 6 cartons
- Pineapple juice - 4 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Chai tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Tea napkins - 2 packs
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Gulab jamun - 100 pieces
- Jalebi - 2 kilograms
- Baklava - 2 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Dessert cups - 80 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Food storage bags - 2 boxes
- Paper towels - 12 rolls

Tips

Prepare the Haldi paste several hours before the ceremony so it can be covered and kept ready. Plan one Haldi bowl per ceremonial station, plus at least two spoons for mixing and applying the paste.
Count dinner plates, dessert plates, glasses and cutlery against the guest list, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item.
Plan separate serving platters, tongs and spoons for each main dish, snack and dessert. Shared utensils become difficult to manage once the buffet opens.
Chill drinks before guests arrive and prepare at least two pitchers or thermos flasks for drinks that will be served throughout the ceremony. Keep extra glasses near the buffet rather than at the ceremonial table.
If the ceremony is outdoors, arrange the party tent and tables before decorating with flowers and balloons. Check the weather forecast the day before and keep table runners, napkins and food protected until setup is complete.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Haldi ceremony?: You need Haldi ingredients and bowls, spoons for mixing and applying the paste, food and dessert serving items, tableware, drinks, flowers and decorations. Also check practical items such as tables, seating, a coat rack and weather protection.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Haldi ceremony?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 of each item to cover breakages, replacements and second servings.
How far in advance should I prepare Haldi paste?: Prepare the paste several hours before the ceremony so it is ready without rushing. Keep it covered until the ceremony begins, and use clean Haldi bowls and spoons for preparation and serving.
When should I buy flowers and drinks for a Haldi ceremony?: Buy or order flowers several days ahead and collect them on the day if they are fresh. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive, allowing enough time for large bottles or pitchers to cool.

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