Orthodox wedding shopping list

An Orthodox wedding needs more than the rings and bridal outfits. You will need ceremony items such as Orthodox crowns and ceremonial candles, plus tableware, serving pieces and reception décor for the meal that follows. Use the guest count and final meal total to work out quantities, then add a small buffer for breakage and unexpected guests. Check with the priest and venue before buying anything with specific ritual or setup requirements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Banquet tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 110
Gift table
Welcome table
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 120
Dessert platesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 110
Water glassesqty 130
Wine glassesqty 130
Champagne glassesqty 120
Coffee spoonsqty 120
Forksqty 130
Knivesqty 130
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving traysqty 12

Decorations

Table runnersqty 12
Cloth napkinsqty 120
Flower arrangementsqty 14
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 12
Name badgesqty 110
Menusqty 110
Balloonsqty 80
Ribbonsqty 12
LED candlesqty 24
Photo framesqty 12
Gift box
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Flower petal basketsqty 4

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Music player
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Chargersqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Catering warmersqty 6
Plate warmersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 12
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Cake knife
Cake stand
Drink dispensersqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED spotlightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24

Catering

Orthodox wedding crownsqty 2
Ceremonial wedding candlesqty 2
Wedding ringsqty 2
Ceremonial wine glass
Ceremonial wine pitcher
Icon stand
White ceremony cloth
Bridal bouquet
Corsagesqty 8
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Grape juice - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Garlic - 500 grams
- Potatoes - 15 kilo
- Rice - 6 kilos
- Pasta - 5 kilos
- Chicken breast - 12 kilo
- Ground beef - 8 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 6 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Feta - 2 kilos
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Flour - 3 kilos
- Baking powder - 4 sachets
- Tomato sauce - 8 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 4 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Oregano - 150 grams
- Basil - 150 gram
- Parsley - 200 grams
- Rosemary - 100 gram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Sugar cubes - 2 boxes
- Wedding cake - 1 cake
- Petit fours - 120 pieces
- Baklava - 100 pieces
- Chocolate truffles - 3 kilos
- Coffee spoons - 120 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 2

Tips

Order the Orthodox crowns, wedding rings and ceremonial candles early enough to allow for engraving, delivery or changes. Aim to have all ceremony items in hand at least two weeks before the wedding.
Count every place setting from the final guest list: one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife, water glass and wine glass per guest, plus around 5% extra. Add coffee cups, spoons and champagne glasses if they are part of your menu or toast.
Do not leave reception setup items until the last week. Confirm the number of banquet tables, chairs, buffet tables, welcome tables and stools with the venue at least 14 days before the wedding.
Prepare one complete welcome and seating station: a welcome sign, table numbers, name cards and menus for the confirmed guest count. Print 5–10 extra name cards and menus for late changes or damaged copies.
Set aside a clearly labelled box for small items that are easy to forget, including ribbons, LED candles, photo frames, the guest book, the gift box and serving utensils. Give it to one named person for delivery and setup on the wedding day.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for an Orthodox wedding ceremony?: Plan for the Orthodox crowns, wedding rings and ceremonial candles first. Confirm the exact requirements and acceptable materials with the priest, and have the complete set ready at least two weeks before the ceremony.
How many plates and glasses do I need for an Orthodox wedding reception?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and water glass per confirmed guest, then add about 5% extra. Count wine glasses, champagne glasses and coffee cups separately according to the drinks and courses you are serving.
When should I order Orthodox wedding crowns and candles?: Order them at least four to six weeks before the wedding if they require delivery or personalisation. Keep them together in a labelled container and check the contents with the priest before the ceremony week.
How many wedding menus and name cards should I print?: Print one menu and one name card for each confirmed guest or place setting, plus 5–10 extra of each. Finalise the quantities after the RSVP deadline and before you give the final meal count to the caterer.

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