What to buy for a Partner Day

A Partner Day needs more than food and drinks. You will also need enough tableware for the meal and dessert, coffee service, chilled storage, serving equipment and the basics for registration and presentations. Use the guest count to set quantities, then add a small buffer for breakage, spills and late arrivals. Check dietary requirements before the final shop and confirm deliveries at least 48 hours before the event.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Cocktail tablesqty 8
Dining tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 4
Registration desk
Stoolsqty 12

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 70
Dessert platesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Carafesqty 10

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Audio mixer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Welcome sign
Program standsqty 6
Name badgesqty 70
Badge holdersqty 70
Pensqty 20
Programsqty 70

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Broom setsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Still mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Brown baguettes - 12 pieces
- White baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Smoked chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Raw ham - 2 kilogram
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Mixed salad mix - 6 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber salad - 3 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 75 pieces
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Brownies - 70 pieces
- Mini pastries - 70 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan tableware for every registered guest, plus 10% extra: plates, dessert plates, coffee cups, glasses and cutlery are easy to underestimate.
For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive rather than relying on last-minute refrigeration.
Match serving equipment to the menu: provide at least one serving platter and pair of serving tongs for each buffet dish, with carafes for water and other shared drinks.
Coffee service is often arranged too late. Check the number of coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks needed for the guest count, and make sure power strips and extension cords are available.
Keep registration and presentations separate from catering supplies. Set aside name badges and the printed programme, and test microphones, speakers and the audio mixer before opening the venue.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Partner Day?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, coffee cup, water glass, wine glass and cutlery set per registered guest. Add 10% extra, so 110 place settings for 100 guests.
How many drinks should I buy for a Partner Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. For 100 guests over three hours, that means roughly 400 to 500 drinks, depending on the programme and alcohol served.
When should I buy and chill the drinks?: Buy non-perishable drinks and supplies up to one week ahead. Refrigerate the drinks and fill the coolers no later than the morning of the event, with a final stock check at least two hours before guests arrive.
How much extra tableware should I order?: Order 10% more than the confirmed guest count. For 80 guests, prepare at least 88 of each basic item, allowing for breakage, spills and unexpected attendees.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.