What you need for a marriage proposal party

A marriage proposal party needs more than the ring and a bottle of champagne. Plan food, drinks, serving equipment and decorations around the number of guests, then separate items you can buy early from fresh groceries and chilled drinks. Tableware is easy to underestimate when guests move between dinner, dessert and the proposal moment. Keep the ring box, proposal sign and other reveal details separate from general decorations so they are ready at the right time.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Tall cocktail tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 9
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 55
Water glassesqty 70
Wine glassesqty 60
Champagne glassesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving utensilsqty 10

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Balloon weightsqty 8
Buntingqty 8
LED candlesqty 30
Glass vasesqty 12
Photo framesqty 8
Proposal sign
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 6
Name badgesqty 55
Ribbonsqty 30
Confetti cannonsqty 6
Ring box

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable power banksqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Smartphone holderqty 2
Camera
Memory cardqty 2

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Cake knife

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Atmosphere lightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 2
Trash bag holdersqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Ginger beer - 2 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Pilsener - 4 crates
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Champagne - 10 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- White rum - 2 bottles
- Lime juice - 2 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 60 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Parma ham - 750 grams
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Ossenworst - 750 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 750 grams
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Apples - 2 kilo
- Pears - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Celery - 3 stalks
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic dressing - 2 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 40 pieces
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian samosas - 40 pieces
- Meatballs - 80 pieces
- Mini spring rolls - 60 pieces
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Sweet chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Cake - 1 piece for 60 people
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate truffles - 3 boxes
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Count one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one full cutlery set and one water glass per guest, then add 10% spare tableware. You will need extra serving utensils for buffet tables and salads.
For drinks, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Include water glasses as well as wine and champagne glasses, and chill drinks several hours before guests arrive.
Buy non-perishable groceries and decoration supplies at least 3 days ahead. Leave fresh groceries, flowers, the cake and chilled drinks for the final 24 hours so they are ready without losing quality.
Plan one waste bin for every 20 to 25 guests and provide a coat rack if guests will stay through dinner. These practical items are often forgotten because attention goes to balloons, bunting and table settings.
Keep the ring in its ring box in a secure, agreed location until the proposal moment. Give the photographer and confidants the exact cue at least 24 hours beforehand, and prepare the proposal sign and confetti only after the ring is safely in place.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a marriage proposal party?: For a meal, plan roughly 500 to 700 grams of food per adult across snacks, salads, bread, the main dishes and dessert. Prepare at least 10% extra for unexpected guests or larger portions, and keep dessert chilled until serving.
How many drinks should I buy for a proposal party?: Allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by about one drink per hour. Buy at least one bottle of water per guest in addition to alcoholic drinks, and chill the drinks 4 to 6 hours before the party.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one water glass and one cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. If guests will drink wine and champagne, provide one of each glass per person rather than expecting guests to reuse them.
When should I buy the decorations and fresh food?: Buy balloons, ribbons, tablecloths and other non-perishables 3 to 7 days ahead. Pick up flowers and the cake, and buy fresh groceries within 24 hours of the party; keep chilled drinks cold for at least 4 hours before guests arrive.

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