What you need for a masked ball

A masked ball needs more than masks and decorations. You will need enough tableware for the meal and dessert, separate glasses for water, wine and sparkling drinks, and a clear place for guests to leave coats and collect masks. Plan the shopping around your guest count, then add a small reserve for breakages and unexpected guests. The list also covers the practical equipment that keeps music, food service and the dance floor working smoothly.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Coat racksqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Water glassesqty 90
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 10
Bowlsqty 12

Decorations

Masksqty 75
Mask standsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin ringsqty 70
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 12
Confetti cannonsqty 6
Artificial flowersqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Trophiesqty 3

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Microphone stand
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Laptop
Coolersqty 4

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
LED spotlightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 6
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 3
Serving cartsqty 2

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Waste binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Rum - 1 bottle
- Whisky - 1 bottle
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Mint - 4 Bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Mini pizzas - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian spring rolls - 80 pieces
- Falafel balls - 80 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 80 pieces
- Stuffed eggs - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Gouda cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Cupcakes - 70 pieces
- Brownies - 70 pieces
- Macarons - 80 pieces
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilo
- Milk chocolate - 1 kilo
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Straws - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwashing liquid - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Buy or prepare one mask for every guest, plus at least 5–10% extra in case a mask is damaged, forgotten or unsuitable. Keep masks sorted before guests arrive so distribution does not delay the welcome.
Count tableware by course rather than buying one mixed set. For a seated meal, allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one fork, one knife and one spoon per guest, plus 10% spare.
Plan at least one water glass per guest and add 20% extra for refills. Wine glasses, champagne glasses and coffee cups should be counted separately because guests will often use more than one type during the evening.
Do not leave the drinks service until the final shopping trip. Chill sparkling drinks and other beverages several hours ahead, and provide enough bowls, serving platters and serving spoons for the snacks and buffet.
Check the music setup before the event rather than on the day. Test the speakers and mixer with the actual playlist, and keep the dance floor clear of tables, chairs and decoration before guests enter.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a masked ball?: Start with one mask per guest, tableware, glasses, serving dishes, drinks, food, decorations and music equipment. Add a coat rack, mask stands and name badges if guests need help finding their place or storing personal items.
How many glasses do I need for a masked ball?: Allow at least one water glass per guest, one wine glass per wine drinker and one champagne glass per guest if sparkling drinks are served. Add about 20% extra glasses for breakages, replacements and guests who switch drinks.
How many masks should I buy for a masked ball?: Buy one mask for each invited guest and add 5–10% spare masks. For 50 guests, that means 53–55 masks, with a few different sizes or styles if children or guests with glasses are attending.
When should I buy and prepare the masked ball supplies?: Order masks, decorations, furniture and catering at least 2–4 weeks before the event. Buy fresh food and chill drinks close to the event, but test the speakers, mixer and lighting at least one day beforehand.

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