What to buy for a wedding boat trip

A wedding boat trip needs more than food and flowers. You will also need tableware for each course, glasses for water, wine and champagne, printed details for guests, and decorations that can cope with wind and movement. Use the guest count as your starting point, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills and late changes. Check what the boat already provides before buying furniture or serving equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Dining tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 90
High tablesqty 6
Ceremony chairsqty 20
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 12
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 120
Wine glassesqty 120
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 90
Table knivesqty 100
Table forksqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Cloth napkinsqty 100
Name badgesqty 90
Program cardsqty 90
Table numbersqty 8
Flower vasesqty 16
String lightsqty 8
Artificial flowersqty 80
Balloonsqty 120
Balloon ribbonqty 4
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 12
Ring pillow
Guest book
Candle holdersqty 24
LED candlesqty 30
Wedding card box

Equipment

Battery speakerqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Rechargeable batteriesqty 12
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 12
Cake stand

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 4
Night lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 18 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 25 kilos
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Goat cheese - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Parma ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Potatoes - 12 kilos
- Rice - 6 kilos
- Pasta - 6 kilos
- Mixed salad - 8 kilos
- Green beans - 6 kilo
- Zucchini - 5 kilos
- Mushrooms - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast - 12 kilo
- Salmon fillet - 8 kilos
- Tofu - 4 kilo
- Cooking cream - 6 liters
- Tomato sauce - 8 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Mini burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Coffee creamer - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden cocktail sticks - 500 pieces
- Straws - 200 pieces
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan one complete place setting per guest, plus 10% extra plates, forks, knives, dessert plates and coffee cups. On a boat, replacing a dropped item during service is difficult, so the spare pieces should be packed with the catering supplies.
Allow at least 1 water glass and 1 wine glass per guest, then add 10% spare glasses. If champagne is served for the toast, count 1 champagne glass per guest and keep a few extras ready for breakage.
Buy or pack decorations that stay secure in moving air: use heavier flower vases, fasten balloon ribbon firmly, and avoid relying on loose paper. Bring table runners, cloth napkins and table numbers together in labelled boxes for faster setup.
Print one program card and one name badge per guest, plus 5% extra. Keep the final guest list, dietary information and seating details with the badges so the person welcoming guests can solve last-minute changes.
Pack practical items for the boat separately from the main decorations: serving spoons, waste bins, coat racks and directions should be accessible before boarding. Complete non-perishable shopping at least 3 days before departure, leaving only fresh food and flowers for the final check.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a wedding boat trip?: Count one full place setting per guest and buy or hire 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives and coffee cups, before allowing for any extra courses.
How many glasses should I buy for a wedding boat wedding?: Allow 1 water glass and 1 wine glass per guest, plus 10% spare. For a champagne toast, add 1 champagne glass per guest and keep at least 5 extra for a group of 50.
When should I buy decorations for a wedding boat trip?: Buy non-perishable decorations, printed materials and tableware 2 to 3 weeks before the trip. Check them again 3 days before departure, and confirm that vases, signs and lighting can be secured safely on board.
How many program cards and name badges do I need?: Prepare 1 program card and 1 name badge per confirmed guest, then print 5% extra for changes or damaged copies. For 60 guests, prepare at least 63 of each and keep the final list with the welcome team.

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