Wedding barbecue shopping list

A wedding barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. This shopping list helps you cover food, drinks, tableware, cooking equipment and practical items for serving guests without last-minute runs to the shop. Buy non-perishable supplies first, then schedule fresh groceries close to the day. Check dietary requirements before ordering meat, sides and desserts, and keep chilled food refrigerated until it goes on the barbecue.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 65
Buffet tablesqty 3
Gift table
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 70
Beer glassesqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 70
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Carafesqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum traysqty 12
Food storage containersqty 12
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Oven mittsqty 4

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 3
Gas pressure regulatorsqty 3
Coolersqty 5
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin ringsqty 70
Name badgesqty 70
Menusqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Table décorqty 12
Guest book
Greeting card box

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 70 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 70 pieces
- Pork satay - 60 pieces
- Beef sausages - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 1.5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilogram
- Mixed green salad - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 60 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Eggplants - 1 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Feta cheese - 1 kilogram
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Crispy fried onions - 2 bags
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 kilograms
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 150 gram
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Barbecue seasoning - 250 grams
- Fresh garlic - 5 bulbs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Cake - 1 piece for 70 people
- Mini desserts - 80 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 20 bottles
- Spa Rood - 10 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 10 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Cava - 10 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Barbecue charcoal - 30 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand gel - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan around 300–400 g of raw meat or vegetarian alternatives per adult, then add separate options for every recorded dietary requirement. Keep meat refrigerated and marinate it no more than 24 hours before cooking.
Allow 2–3 drinks per guest for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour. Include water, soft drinks, wine and beer, and chill the first batch before guests arrive rather than relying on one fridge.
Buy at least one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra plates, glasses, forks and knives. Weddings often create more washing-up and breakages than a small family barbecue.
Prepare two serving platters and sets of serving tongs for each main food area so cooked meat, salads and bread do not share utensils. Use separate cutting boards and knives for raw meat and ready-to-eat food.
Do the non-perishable shopping several days ahead and buy fresh vegetables, salads and bread one day before the barbecue. Have trays, storage containers, oven mitts and kitchen tongs ready before food preparation starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a wedding barbecue?: Allow about 300–400 g of raw meat or meat alternatives per adult, plus sides, bread and dessert. Add 10% extra for unexpected guests or larger appetites, and calculate vegetarian and allergy-safe portions separately.
How many drinks should I buy for a wedding barbecue?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person in the first hour and around 1 drink per person per hour after that. Provide at least 500 ml of water per guest for the event, with extra water if it is hot or guests are outside for several hours.
When should I buy food for a wedding barbecue?: Buy non-perishable food and drinks several days in advance. Buy fresh vegetables, salads and bread one day before, and keep meat refrigerated until it is marinated and cooked.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a wedding barbecue?: Start with one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass and relevant drink glass per guest, then add 10% spare. For 80 guests, that means at least 88 of each frequently used item, unless you plan to wash and reuse them.

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