Wedding lunch shopping list

A wedding lunch needs more than the main meal. You will also need enough tableware for each course, chilled drinks, serving equipment, coffee supplies and practical items for setting up and clearing away. Use the plan below to check what must be bought, collected or prepared before the day. Confirm guest numbers and dietary requirements before ordering fresh food, then add a small buffer for drinks, bread and dessert.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Welcome table
Gift table
Side tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 6
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Coffee cupsqty 75
Water glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 80
Champagne glassesqty 70
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Teaspoonsqty 75
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Carafesqty 10
Coffee potsqty 4
Teapotsqty 3
Cake knife
Cake spatula

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Frying pansqty 2
Cooking potsqty 4
Baking dishesqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 2

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Induction platesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Speaker standqty 2

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 10
Table runnersqty 8
Place cardsqty 70
Menusqty 70
Welcome sign
Photo framesqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon pumpqty 2
Candlesqty 24
Tealight holdersqty 24
Table numbersqty 8
Gift card box

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Waste binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Towel dispensersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 1.5 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1,5 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1.5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Boiled eggs - 70 pieces
- Egg salad - 1,5 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Tuna - 8 cans
- Corn - 6 cans
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 1,5 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Pesto sauce - 750 milliliters
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 750 milliliters
- Red wine vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Fresh basil - 6 bunches
- Fresh parsley - 6 bunches
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Whipping cream - 4 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Blueberries - 2 kilograms
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Cake - 1 piece for 70 people
- Cookies - 4 kilograms
- Chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Coffee - 3 kilograms
- Tea - 120 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 36 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 10 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Count tableware for every guest, plus at least 10% extra. Include dinner plates, dessert plates, glasses, cutlery and coffee cups rather than assuming one shared set will cover every course.
Plan drinks by time of day: allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Add separate quantities of water, wine, sparkling wine, coffee and tea.
Order fresh ingredients only after replies and dietary requirements are final. Check the order again 48 hours before the lunch so missing vegetables, bread or desserts can still be replaced.
Match serving platters, serving dishes, jugs and coffee pots to the menu. For a buffet, allow one serving vessel per dish and keep at least two spare serving utensils available.
Buy or collect setup items early, especially tables, chairs, buffet tables and smaller side tables. Check them at least one week beforehand so you can solve shortages before food preparation starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a wedding lunch?: For a three-course lunch, plan roughly 500–700 grams of food per adult, excluding drinks. Add 5–10% extra for unexpected guests and larger appetites, while keeping dietary meals separate and clearly labelled.
How many drinks do I need for a wedding lunch?: Allow two to three drinks per guest in the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. For a four-hour lunch, that is usually five to six drinks per guest, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses are needed for a wedding lunch?: Provide one dinner plate and one dessert plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Count one water glass and one wine glass per person, and add champagne glasses if sparkling wine is served.
When should I buy wedding lunch groceries?: Buy shelf-stable groceries about one week before the lunch and order fresh products several days ahead. Collect or buy vegetables, bread and other chilled items no later than the day before, then keep drinks cold on the day.

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.