Wedding ceremony shopping list

A wedding ceremony needs more than chairs and flowers. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from water glasses and carafes to serving platters, coat racks and weather cover. Match quantities to your guest list, then check what the venue already provides before buying or hiring anything. Plan the main shopping at least one week before the ceremony, with drinks chilled and cake collected on the day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Ceremony chairsqty 90
Dining tablesqty 10
Dinner chairsqty 90
Wedding table
Buffet tablesqty 4
Welcome table
Gift table
Stoolsqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Party tentqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 100
Champagne glassesqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Dinner knivesqty 100
Dinner forksqty 100
Dessert forksqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Carafesqty 12

Decorations

Ceremony arch
Arch backdropqty 2
Table runnersqty 10
Chair coversqty 90
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Bouquetsqty 3
LED candlesqty 40
Candle holdersqty 20
Buntingqty 8
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 10
Guest book
Pens for the guestbookqty 4
Ring box
Confetti containersqty 10

Equipment

Battery speakerqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
Standing lampsqty 4

Kitchen

Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Cake knife
Serving tongsqty 8
Ice packsqty 20
Bottle openersqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 4
Waste binsqty 6

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free bubbles - 3 bottles
- Gin - 2 bottles
- Vodka - 2 bottles
- Whisky - 2 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Toast - 12 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken - 1 kilogram
- Chicken satay - 5 kilogram
- Vegetarian skewers - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 8 kilograms
- Cucumber salad - 4 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 4 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 1 bottle
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Wedding cake - 90 people
- Mini pastries - 120 pieces
- Chocolate - 2 kilogram
- Coffee spoons - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Diet meals - 10 portions

Tips

Count ceremony chairs for every confirmed guest, then add 5% extra so a damaged chair or last-minute guest does not create a problem. Check whether the venue supplies chairs, covers and setup.
Plan tableware by guest count: one dinner plate, dessert plate, dinner fork, dinner knife, dessert fork and water glass per person, plus at least 10% spare. Add coffee cups, spoons and wine or champagne glasses only for the parts of the day where they are used.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill water, wine and sparkling drinks several hours before guests arrive, and provide carafes so water is easy to reach.
Do not leave serving equipment until the last day. Count serving spoons and platters against the buffet menu, and confirm that the wedding table, welcome table, gift table and buffet tables are included in the venue setup.
If the ceremony is outdoors, arrange the party tent and bad-weather decorations before the forecast becomes uncertain. Order bouquets, flower arrangements and the ceremony arch early enough that substitutions can be made if a florist cannot supply a requested item.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a wedding ceremony?: Start with one of each required item per confirmed guest and add 10% spare. For 80 guests, that means at least 88 dinner plates, dessert plates and water glasses, plus the wine, champagne and coffee items needed for your schedule.
How much alcohol and soft drink should I buy for a wedding?: Use two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then roughly one drink per guest per hour. For 80 guests and a three-hour reception, plan for about 320 to 400 drinks in total, adjusting for children, non-drinkers and the type of meal.
When should I buy wedding ceremony decorations?: Buy or hire reusable items such as table runners, LED candles, chair covers and the ceremony arch at least two weeks ahead. Order flowers and bouquets according to the florist's lead time, and confirm the final quantities about one week before the ceremony.
What wedding supplies are easy to forget?: Check water carafes, coffee spoons, serving platters, serving spoons, coat racks and a gift table before shopping. Confirm these items at least seven days before the ceremony, because venues often provide chairs and tables but not smaller serving or reception equipment.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.