What to Buy for a Renewal of Vows Ceremony

A renewal of vows ceremony needs more than flowers and a cake. You’ll need ceremony furniture, enough tableware for the meal and dessert, serving pieces, drinks glasses, and practical items for guests and cleanup. Use your confirmed guest count to set quantities, then add a small buffer for breakages and unexpected guests. Shop early for rented furniture, printed materials, flowers, and any items that need to be ordered.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Rectangular tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Ceremony table
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Coat rack
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Pastry platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Champagne glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Dinner knivesqty 60
Dinner forksqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving traysqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkinsqty 60
Chair coversqty 55
Table runnersqty 6
Flower vasesqty 12
Photo framesqty 8
Welcome sign
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Ribbonsqty 4
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon pumpqty 2
Confetti-free table decorationsqty 6
Ring pillow
Ceremony Banner
Program leafletsqty 60
Menusqty 60

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Laptop
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Phone chargersqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Hot traysqty 6
Ice containersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Serving plattersqty 10
Cake server
Cake knife
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Table lanternsqty 12
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mop set
Bucketsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Nut mix - 1.5 kilos
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Rice - 3 kilos
- Pasta - 3 kilos
- Pasta or tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Mixed salad - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Corn - 4 cans
- Cucumber for salad - 6 pieces
- Feta - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Renewal of Vows Cake - 1 cake for 55 people
- Mini pastries - 60 pieces
- Chocolate - 1 kilo
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Napkin paper - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Count every place setting against the final guest list: one dinner plate, fork, knife, napkin, and water glass per guest, plus 10% extra where possible. Add pastry plates and coffee cups based on the number of cake and coffee servings.
Plan glassware by drinking pattern rather than guest count alone. Allow one water glass and one wine glass per guest, and reserve champagne glasses for the toast, with about 10% extra if washing glasses during the event is not possible.
Do not leave serving equipment until the day before. Match serving spoons, tongs, and trays to each buffet dish, and prepare at least one extra tray for cake, glasses, or last-minute food.
Order or borrow ceremony and reception furniture as soon as the venue and guest count are confirmed. Check that you have enough chairs, tables, a ceremony table, buffet tables, and a coat rack before invitations are sent.
Pack the small items separately so they are not forgotten during setup: pens for the guest book, ribbons, the welcome sign, table runners, vases, waste bins, and any printed menus or programs. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a vow renewal ceremony?: Start with one dinner plate, one water glass, one wine glass, one fork, one knife, and one napkin per guest. Add pastry plates and coffee cups for each planned dessert and coffee serving, plus around 10% extra for breakages or replacements.
When should I buy supplies for a renewal of vows ceremony?: Buy or reserve furniture, tableware, decorations, flowers, cake, and printed items as soon as the venue and guest count are confirmed. Complete the main shopping at least 2 to 3 days beforehand, leaving only chilled drinks and fresh items for the final day.
How many champagne glasses are needed for a vow renewal toast?: Allow one champagne glass per person taking part in the toast. If everyone is included, use the final guest count and add 10% extra; for 40 guests, that means about 44 glasses.
What small items are easy to forget for a vow renewal ceremony?: Pens for the guest book, serving utensils, waste bins, a coat rack, table runners, ribbons, and the welcome sign are often missed. Pack these items in one labelled box at least one day before setup so they are ready with the decorations.

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