What to Buy for an Intimate Wedding

An intimate wedding still needs the right quantities of furniture, tableware, drinks service, and kitchen equipment. Plan for every confirmed guest, then add a small buffer for breakage, unexpected guests, and staff use. For a seated meal, count one dinner plate, knife, and fork per guest, plus separate pieces for dessert and coffee. Check dietary requirements before finalising food, and confirm delivery or collection times for flowers, cake, and chilled drinks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Reception tablesqty 3
Dining tablesqty 5
Ceremony chairsqty 36
Extra chairsqty 4
Wedding table
Buffet tablesqty 2
Cake table
Coat rack
Stoolsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 40
Champagne glassesqty 40
Coffee spoonsqty 40
Dinner knivesqty 40
Dinner forksqty 40
Dessert forksqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Water jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Scissorsqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3
Corkscrewsqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkinsqty 50
Name badgesqty 36
Menusqty 36
Guest book
Pensqty 4
Flower vasesqty 8
Candle holdersqty 20
LED candlesqty 20
Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 40
Balloon pump
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Adhesive stripsqty 2
Table numbersqty 5
Ring pillow
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 8

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Dish brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 5 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 bottles
- Orange juice - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Ice pops - 24 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini ciabattas - 30 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 750 grams
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Mixed salad - 1.5 kilos
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 500 grams
- Cashews - 500 grams
- Walnuts - 500 gram
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Meatballs - 120 pieces
- Spring rolls - 60 pieces
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Mixed bar snacks - 1 kilo
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Rice - 2 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Tomato sauce - 4 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Cooking cream - 2 liters
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Mixed vegetables - 3 kilos
- Sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise-free dressing - 2 bottles
- Vegan cheese - 500 grams
- Gluten-free rolls - 6 pieces
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 1 liter
- Powdered sugar - 500 grams
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Chocolate - 4 bars
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 2 packs

Tips

Count place settings by meal course: one dinner plate, knife, and fork per guest, then add dessert plates, dessert forks, and coffee spoons for everyone staying through the reception. Keep 5–10% extra if rentals are available.
Plan drinks by service rather than guesswork. For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per guest; provide water throughout and chill bottles in advance so they are ready when guests arrive.
Do not forget the serving equipment behind the meal. Match serving platters, serving spoons, water jugs, coffee pots, chopping boards, knives, and mixing bowls to the caterer’s menu and preparation plan.
Seating often gets underestimated at small weddings. Count ceremony chairs, dining chairs, extra chairs, stools, reception tables, dining tables, buffet tables, and a separate cake table from the confirmed guest list and floor plan.
Buy or arrange practical items before the final week: a coat rack, cool boxes, scissors, measuring cups, and any spare kitchen tools. Confirm flower and cake collection times at least 48 hours before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for an intimate wedding?: Allow one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, and wine glass per guest, with coffee cups and champagne glasses only if those drinks are being served. Add 5–10% extra for breakage, replacements, or unexpected guests.
How much alcohol should I buy for a small wedding?: For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per guest, then roughly one drink per person per hour if the reception continues. Include non-alcoholic drinks and water for every guest, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before serving.
What wedding supplies are easy to forget?: Small weddings often miss serving platters, opscheplepels, coffee spoons, extra chairs, water jugs, cool boxes, and a coat rack. Check these items 7 days before the wedding, then verify them again when deliveries arrive.
When should I order the wedding cake and flowers?: Book both as soon as the date, guest count, and venue are confirmed, then reconfirm delivery or collection 48 hours before the wedding. Keep the cake collection time separate from flower pickup so one delay does not affect both.

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