What to Buy for a Japanese Wedding Ceremony

A Japanese wedding ceremony needs more than ceremonial clothing and a venue. You will need dedicated sake cups, serving ware, table settings, ceremony decorations, printed materials, and practical items for guests. Use this shopping list to check what must be bought, hired, or brought in before the final setup. Separate non-perishable purchases from fresh groceries, and confirm quantities against the final guest list before placing orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Round tablesqty 10
Ceremony table
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 6
Gift table
Guestbook table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 90
Soup bowlsqty 90
Chopsticksqty 100
Chopstick holdersqty 90
Dinner cutlery setsqty 90
Wine glassesqty 100
Water glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Sake cupsqty 12
Teapotsqty 6
Serving bowlsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 12
Ladlesqty 8
Water carafesqty 12

Decorations

Red and white ribbonsqty 8
Paper lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 40
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Bamboo branchesqty 12
Origami heartsqty 100
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 10
Table runnersqty 10
Chair coversqty 90
Rice paper fansqty 30
Ceremonial trayqty 3
Calligraphy scrollqty 2
Gift bagsqty 90

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 3
Rice cookersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 6

Kitchen

Chef's knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Frying pansqty 4
Cooking potsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Food containersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cake knife
Cake stand

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Paper goods

Guest book
Pensqty 12
Program leafletsqty 100
Name badgesqty 100
Table seating chartqty 2

Groceries

Groceries
- Sushi rice - 8 kilograms
- Nori sheets - 10 packs
- Rice vinegar - 4 bottles
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Soy sauce - 6 bottles
- Tamari - 2 bottles
- Mirin - 3 bottles
- Cooking sake - 2 bottles
- Ponzu - 3 bottles
- Sesame oil - 2 bottles
- Neutral oil - 3 liters
- Miso - 2 kilogram
- Dashi - 2 packs
- Wasabi - 8 tubes
- Japanese mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Teriyaki sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Sesame seeds - 500 gram
- Panko - 2 kilogram
- Tempura flour - 2 kilogram
- Wheat flour - 2 kilogram
- Potato starch - 1 kilogram
- Dried shiitake - 500 grams
- Fresh shiitake mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Enoki - 1 kilogram
- Oyster mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Edamame - 3 kilograms
- Tofu - 3 kilogram
- Wakame - 500 gram
- Daikon - 5 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Spring onion - 2 kilogram
- Radish - 2 kilogram
- Red cabbage - 3 kilograms
- Pointed cabbage - 4 kilogram
- Spinach - 3 kilograms
- Broccoli - 4 kilograms
- Green beans - 3 kilograms
- Avocados - 30 pieces
- Ginger - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 500 grams
- Limes - 30 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Mangoes - 30 pieces
- Pineapple - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 5 kilograms
- Sesame cookies - 100 pieces
- Mochi - 100 pieces
- Green tea - 4 packs
- Matcha powder - 250 grams
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Still water - 40 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Japanese lemonade - 40 bottles
- Sake - 12 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 25 kilogram
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Cream - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla sugar - 500 gram
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Count tableware for every confirmed guest, then add 5–10% extra for breakage, late additions, or items used during serving. Check dinner plates, dessert plates, soup bowls, chopsticks, cutlery, glasses, and coffee cups separately.
Set aside one sake cup for each planned ceremonial participant, plus at least 10% spare cups. Confirm the cup style and quantity before the ceremony program is printed.
Buy non-perishable decorations and paper goods at least 2–3 weeks before the ceremony. This gives you time to replace missing ribbons, lanterns, LED candles, bamboo branches, or printed signs.
Check serving equipment against the menu 3–5 days before the event. Each serving bowl, platter, tong, and ladle should have a clear dish assigned to it, especially for buffet service.
Purchase fresh groceries as close to the ceremony as practical—usually 1 day before—and store them according to the caterer’s instructions. Recheck dietary requirements against the final menu before buying ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

How many sake cups do I need for a Japanese wedding ceremony?: Plan one sake cup for each person taking part in the ceremony, then add 10% spare cups. For 20 participants, prepare at least 22 cups and confirm whether any cups are reserved for the couple or officiant.
How much extra tableware should I buy for a Japanese wedding?: Prepare 5–10% more plates, bowls, chopsticks, glasses, and cutlery than the final guest count. For 100 guests, that means 105–110 place settings where possible.
When should I buy decorations for a Japanese wedding ceremony?: Buy non-perishable decorations 2–3 weeks ahead, including ribbons, paper lanterns, LED candles, bamboo branches, and signs. Check the full decoration supply 3–5 days before setup.
When should I buy fresh food for the ceremony?: Buy fresh groceries about 1 day before the ceremony, unless the caterer gives a different schedule. Finalize the guest count and dietary requirements before shopping so quantities and special meals are correct.

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