What You Need for a Wedding After-Party

A wedding after-party needs more than drinks and leftover cake. Plan for the number of guests, the length of the night and whether food is served buffet-style or passed around. This shopping list covers the essentials for serving drinks, setting up tables, handling snacks and desserts, and keeping dietary information clear. Check quantities against your final guest list before shopping, then chill fresh items and drinks before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Buffet tableqty 4
Bistro tableqty 4
Folding chairqty 85
Cocktail table coverqty 4
Tableclothqty 12
Coat rackqty 2
Gift table

Tableware

Dinner plateqty 90
Dessert plateqty 90
Cupqty 40
Coffee cupqty 70
Water glassqty 100
Wine glassqty 100
Beer glassqty 80
Champagne fluteqty 90
Coffee spoonqty 70
Dining forkqty 100
Dinner knifeqty 100
Tablespoonqty 60
Serving spoonqty 12

Kitchen

Serving platterqty 16
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlqty 6
Measuring cupqty 2
Thermosqty 6
Ice scoopqty 2
Bottle openerqty 4
Corkscrewqty 4
Cool boxqty 6
Ice containerqty 4

Equipment

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Refrigeratorqty 2
Food warmerqty 6
Bain-marieqty 2
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Wireless microphone
Mixer
Extension cordqty 6
Power stripqty 6

Decorations

Balloon archqty 2
Balloonsqty 120
Buntingqty 8
LED candlesqty 30
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table numbersqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Welcome sign

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED spotlightqty 4
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binqty 8
Bucketqty 3
Mopqty 3
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Microfiber clothqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Pilsener - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Sprite - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Celery - 2 heads
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Melon - 4 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini wraps - 120 pieces
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 3 kilos
- Goat cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Falafel - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 kilos
- Snack nuts - 3 kilos
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Guacamole - 2 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Dried oregano - 1 jar
- Cake - 4 pieces
- Mini pastries - 120 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Straws - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Tips

Plan at least one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cup and one water glass per guest, plus 10% extra for breakages, dropped items and second helpings.
For a drinks-focused evening, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Add extra water, wine glasses, beer glasses and champagne flutes if several drink types are being served.
Buy or bring enough tables for separate drinks, food, gifts and coats. A gift table and coat rack are easy to overlook, especially when the after-party takes place in a different venue from the wedding.
Prepare serving equipment before the day: platters, tongs, serving spoons, a cutting board, chef’s knife, mixing bowl and measuring cup. Keep allergen labels with the food rather than adding them at the last minute.
Arrange chilled drinks and fresh ingredients several hours before guests arrive. If you are using thermoses for coffee or hot drinks, fill and test them before setup so serving does not depend on a last-minute equipment check.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a wedding after-party?: Start with one of each required plate, glass and cup per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each frequently used item, especially cups, water glasses and dessert plates.
How many drinks should I buy for a wedding after-party?: Allow two to three drinks per guest for the first hour and one per guest for every additional hour. For a four-hour after-party with 50 guests, plan for roughly 250 drinks, then adjust for non-drinkers and the mix of beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks.
What food supplies are easy to forget for a wedding after-party?: Serving spoons, tongs, platters, dessert plates, a cutting board and allergen labels are commonly missed. Set these out at least 30 minutes before food is served so snacks and desserts do not end up being handled with kitchen utensils.
When should I chill drinks for a wedding after-party?: Chill drinks at least 4 to 6 hours before serving; large quantities may need overnight chilling. Put fresh ingredients in the refrigerator as soon as they arrive and keep backup drinks cold throughout the event.

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