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What to buy for a humanist wedding

A humanist wedding needs more than food, drinks and wedding clothes. You also need separate supplies for the ceremony, reception, table service and guest arrival. Plan tableware for every seated guest, plus serving pieces for the buffet and cake. Count glasses by drink type, and arrange signs, table numbers, name badges and ceremony materials before the venue opens. This shopping list helps you check what must be bought, borrowed or brought on the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

  • Rectangular tablesqty 8
  • Ceremony table
  • Chairsqty 70
  • Buffet tablesqty 3
  • Gift table
  • Welcome table
  • Clothing rack
  • Tall cocktail tablesqty 4

Tableware

  • Dinner platesqty 75
  • Dessert platesqty 75
  • Coffee cupsqty 75
  • Water glassesqty 80
  • Wine glassesqty 80
  • Champagne glassesqty 70
  • Coffee spoonsqty 75
  • Dinner knivesqty 75
  • Dinner forksqty 75
  • Dessert forksqty 75
  • Serving spoonsqty 12
  • Serving plattersqty 12
  • Serving platters for cakeqty 3
  • Water carafesqty 10

Decorations

  • Table runnersqty 8
  • Cloth napkinsqty 75
  • Table decorationsqty 8
  • Flower arrangementsqty 10
  • Welcome sign
  • Ceremony board
  • Name badgesqty 70
  • Table numbersqty 8
  • Guest book
  • Pens for the guestbookqty 4
  • Ring pillow
  • Candlesqty 30
  • Candle holdersqty 30
  • Buntingqty 8
  • Balloonsqty 80
  • Balloon ribbonqty 4
  • Photo framesqty 12
  • Table clampsqty 16

Equipment

  • Laptopsqty 2
  • Active speakersqty 2
  • Wireless microphonesqty 2
  • Microphone standsqty 2
  • Audio mixer
  • Extension cordsqty 6
  • Power stripsqty 6
  • Chargersqty 4
  • Coolersqty 4
  • Thermos flasksqty 6
  • Coffee machinesqty 2
  • Kettlesqty 2
  • Plate warmersqty 2
  • Cake knife
  • String lightsqty 8
  • LED lampsqty 12

Kitchen

  • Cutting boardsqty 6
  • Chef's knivesqty 4
  • Measuring cupsqty 3
  • Mixing bowlsqty 6
  • Pliersqty 8
  • Serving spoonsqty 12
  • Aluminum foilqty 2
  • Cling filmqty 2
  • Bread basketsqty 6
  • Washing-up bowlsqty 3

Cleaning

  • Trash binsqty 6
  • Dustpan and brushqty 2
  • Broomqty 2
  • Mopqty 2
  • Bucketsqty 3
  • Cleaning spongesqty 6
  • Rubber glovesqty 6
  • Microfiber clothsqty 12
  • Waste binsqty 4

Catering

  • Groceries
    • Coffee - 2.5 kilos
    • Decaf coffee - 250 grams
    • Black tea - 80 bags
    • Herbal tea - 40 bags
    • Sugar - 2 kilos
    • Sweeteners - 100 pieces
    • Milk - 8 liters
    • Oat milk - 4 liters
    • Lemon - 12 pieces
    • Still mineral water - 36 bottles
    • Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
    • Cola - 12 bottles
    • Cola Zero - 12 bottles
    • Orange soda - 8 bottles
    • Tonic - 6 bottles
    • Ginger ale - 6 bottles
    • Apple juice - 6 liters
    • Orange juice - 6 liters
    • Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
    • Pilsner - 72 bottles
    • White wine - 18 bottles
    • Red wine - 12 bottles
    • Rosé - 8 bottles
    • Champagne - 10 bottles
    • Gin - 2 bottles
    • Vodka - 2 bottles
    • Bourbon - 1 Bottle
    • Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
    • Ice cubes - 15 kilos
    • Baguettes - 15 pieces
    • Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
    • Ciabatta - 8 pieces
    • Butter - 1 kilo
    • Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
    • Hummus - 1.5 kilos
    • Pesto - 4 jars
    • Young cheese - 2 kilos
    • Brie - 1.5 kilos
    • Goat cheese - 1 kilo
    • Raw ham - 1.5 kilos
    • Salami - 1 kilo
    • Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
    • Olives - 1.5 kilo
    • Grapes - 4 kilos
    • Strawberries - 3 kilos
    • Apples - 4 kilos
    • Pears - 3 kilos
    • Cucumbers - 8 pieces
    • Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
    • Carrots - 2 kilo
    • Bell peppers - 12 pieces
    • Arugula - 8 bags
    • Mixed salad - 8 bags
    • Potatoes - 12 kilos
    • Rice - 5 kilo
    • Pasta - 4 kilo
    • Pasta sauce - 8 jars
    • Diced tomatoes - 8 cans
    • Vegetable stock - 2 packs
    • Chickpeas - 8 cans
    • Lentils - 6 cans
    • Feta - 1.5 kilos
    • Mozzarella - 1,5 kilo
    • Eggs - 30 pieces
    • Whipping cream - 4 liters
    • Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
    • Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
    • Cookies - 8 packs
    • Brownies - 4 trays
    • Paprika chips - 6 bags
    • Plain chips - 6 bags
    • Tortilla chips - 6 bags
    • Nut mix - 2 kilo
    • Snacks - 4 bags
    • Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
    • Ketchup - 2 bottles
    • Mustard - 2 jars
    • Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
    • Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
    • Olive oil - 2 liters
    • Sunflower oil - 1 liter
    • Salt - 1 kilo
    • Black pepper - 250 grams
    • Paprika powder - 250 gram
    • Italian herbs - 2 jars
    • Garlic - 6 bulbs
    • Red onions - 2 kilos
    • Paper towels - 12 rolls
    • Toilet paper - 24 rolls
    • Trash bags - 40 pieces
    • Dish soap - 3 bottles
    • Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
    • All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
    • Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
    • Hand soap - 6 dispensers
    • Napkins - 200 pieces
    • Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
    • Baking paper - 2 rolls
    • Aluminum foil - 2 rolls

Tips

  • Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one dinner fork, one dinner knife and one cloth napkin per seated guest. Add at least 10% extra for breakages, dropped items and late changes.
  • Plan glasses by service rather than by guest: one water glass per person, wine glasses for guests drinking wine, and champagne glasses for the toast. Keep 10% extra glasses available if washing up during the reception is not possible.
  • Do not leave ceremony supplies until the wedding morning. Pack the ceremony board, welcome sign, vows, rings and any printed ceremony programs together at least 24 hours before the venue opens.
  • A buffet needs more than tables: allow at least two serving spoons or utensils per main dish, serving platters for each dish, and separate cake platters and utensils for dessert.
  • Set aside the items guests often miss at arrival and seating: a welcome table, name badges, table numbers and a gift table. Put labels and signs in one clearly marked box so setup does not depend on finding them later.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a humanist wedding?
Buy one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one water glass per seated guest, then add 10% extra. Wine and champagne glasses depend on the drinks served, but allowing one of each per drinking guest avoids a shortage when there is no dishwashing during the reception.
What ceremony items do I need for a humanist wedding?
Prepare the ceremony table, ceremony board, printed ceremony programs, personal vows and rings. Have these packed and checked at least 24 hours before the ceremony, rather than leaving them with general venue supplies.
How much tableware should I buy for a wedding buffet?
For each buffet dish, provide one serving platter or bowl and at least two serving spoons or utensils. For guests, plan one dinner fork, one dinner knife, one dessert fork and one plate per course, plus 10% spare tableware.
When should I buy drinks and wedding decorations?
Buy non-perishable decorations and tableware at least one week before the wedding, so missing items can still be replaced. Buy chilled drinks close enough to the event to keep them refrigerated, and confirm the final guest count before the main shop.

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