Weekend wedding shopping list

A weekend wedding needs more than ceremony details and a menu. You also need enough furniture, tableware, serving equipment, cooling space, and supplies for several meals and shared moments. Use the item list on this page as your purchasing checklist, then adjust quantities to your guest count and the number of meals you are serving. Start with rentals and special-order items first; drinks, ice, flowers, and the wedding cake are easy to arrange too late.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Reception tablesqty 4
Dining tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 4
Table skirtsqty 8
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 80
Gift table
Cake table
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

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

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cake knife
Cake spatulaqty 2

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Lanternsqty 10

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Vasesqty 16
Flower arrangementsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Welcome sign
Photo backdrop
Name badgesqty 80
Menusqty 12
Table numbersqty 8
Ceremony arch
Ring pillow
Guest book
Pensqty 6
Table candlesqty 40
Candle holdersqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Champagne - 12 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Nut mix - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Toast squares - 10 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 2 kilograms
- Goat cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Parma ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Mixed salad - 8 heads
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Potatoes - 12 kilogram
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Pasta sauce - 8 jars
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Muesli - 3 kilogram
- Croissants - 80 pieces
- Jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Matches - 2 boxes

Tips

Count each guest-facing place setting separately: one dinner plate, dessert plate, water glass, wine glass, cup, fork, knife, dessert fork, and coffee spoon per person, plus at least 10% extra for breakage and unexpected guests.
Plan furniture for every area, not just dinner. Allow one chair per guest, a separate table for gifts and cake, buffet tables for the food service, and at least one coat rack with hangers for every 30 to 40 guests.
For a weekend schedule, check cooling and holding capacity before shopping. Reserve enough cool boxes for drinks and enough chafing or warm-holding equipment to keep hot food safe while guests are being seated.
Buy or arrange serving pieces in the same count as the dishes being served. Two to three serving platters, tongs, or serving spoons per buffet station prevents guests from waiting while equipment is shared.
Finish the consumable shopping check 48 hours before the ceremony. Chill drinks the day before, confirm the cake pickup time, and collect flowers and other perishables on the agreed day rather than leaving them until the reception starts.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a weekend wedding?: Plan one complete place setting per seated guest, including dinner and dessert plates, water and wine glasses, and coffee cups. Add 10% extra, so 110 settings for 100 guests, and more if dishes are reused between meals.
How much wedding furniture should I rent?: Provide one chair per guest, then add tables for the ceremony or reception, dinner, buffet service, gifts, and the cake. For 100 guests, start with seating for 100 plus at least 10 spare chairs if your venue and budget allow.
When should I buy drinks and ice for a weekend wedding?: Buy packaged drinks about one week before the wedding and check quantities again 48 hours before guests arrive. Chill drinks the day before; buy ice on the day itself or arrange delivery within 4 to 6 hours of serving.
How early should I arrange the wedding cake and flowers?: Confirm the cake pickup or delivery time at least 7 days in advance, then collect it on the planned day. Confirm flowers 3 to 5 days before the wedding and collect them as close to setup as possible.

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