What to Buy for a Picnic Wedding

A picnic wedding needs more than food, drinks and pretty table settings. You’ll need enough seating, serving equipment, cooling space and weather protection for the full guest count. Plan tableware by course, then add a small buffer for breakages, dropped cutlery and guests taking seconds. Check the forecast before shopping, but keep your rain plan in mind: tents, blankets and dry storage are easy to overlook until the day before.

Use this plan

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Picnic blanketsqty 12
Ceremony bench
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Bowlsqty 75
Drinking glassesqty 90
Wine glassesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cake forksqty 75
Serving traysqty 10
Serving plattersqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 5
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 5
Chef's knivesqty 5
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Cake knife
Cake stand
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3
Ice packsqty 20

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Cloth napkinsqty 75
Buntingqty 6
Paper lanternsqty 12
Flower vasesqty 12
Table numbersqty 8
Welcome sign
Ceremony arch
Ring pillow
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Place cardsqty 65
Menusqty 65

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 10
Batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Power stripsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power banksqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6
Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Drying racksqty 3
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel rollsqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Mini quiches - 80 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Celery - 2 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 1,5 kilogram
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Focaccia - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1,5 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus wraps - 30 pieces
- Chicken breast - 3 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Red cabbage - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 4 jars
- Feta - 1,5 kilogram
- Mozzarella - 1,5 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Pesto sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Red wine vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Fresh basil - 8 bunches
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Watermelon - 4 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Wedding cake - 1 piece
- Mini pastries - 100 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 18 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 30 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 10 bottles
- Gin - 3 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Bourbon - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 150 pcs
- Wooden satay skewers - 100 pieces
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Food storage bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 40 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 80 pcs

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl and one full cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. Add serving spoons, tongs, trays and platters separately so guests are not serving food with their own utensils.
Allow at least two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Use coolers for cold drinks and keep extra ice available rather than relying on a single cooler.
Provide one picnic blanket for every four to six seated guests if some people will eat on the ground. Combine blankets with chairs and benches so older guests and anyone wearing formal clothes have a comfortable option.
For coffee service, plan one cup per guest who is likely to drink coffee, plus 10% extra, and have enough thermos flasks or a coffee machine and kettle to serve it without a long queue. Buy coffee, tea, milk and sugar separately from the main drinks.
Do not leave cake service until the last shopping trip: include a cake knife, cake forks, dessert plates and a serving platter. Keep the cake protected during transport and confirm the pickup time before the wedding day.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a picnic wedding?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, knife, fork and spoon per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each frequently used item, with additional serving utensils for every buffet dish.
How many drinks should I buy for a picnic wedding?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for each additional hour. For 50 guests at a four-hour reception, plan for roughly 250 to 300 drinks, then adjust for children, non-drinkers and the weather.
How many picnic blankets do I need for a wedding?: Allow one large blanket for every four to six guests who may sit on the ground. For 50 guests, prepare about 10 to 13 blankets, while still providing chairs, tables or a ceremony bench for guests who need more support.
When should I buy supplies for a picnic wedding?: Buy non-perishable tableware, furniture and serving equipment at least one week before the wedding. Shop for fresh food two to three days ahead, chill drinks the day before and confirm cake and bouquet pickup times 24 to 48 hours in advance.

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