How many glasses and plates you need for 100 guests
The rule is simple: quantity per guest, times the number of guests, plus a spare margin. Here are the numbers for 100 guests and how to scale them.
The spare margin
For a seated dinner add 10 % — for breakages, drops and changes between courses. For a standing cocktail party add 15–20 %, because guests set a glass down and take a new one.
Plates for 100 guests
Main (Ø27 cm) — 110. Starter (Ø23 cm) — 110. Dessert (Ø19 or 15 cm) — 110. For a buffet with several trips, multiply main plates by 1.5 — 150. For a formal setting, add a charger plate per guest.
See in the catalogue: Tableware
Glasses for 100 guests
Water — 110. Wine — 120 with one glass per guest, or 200 if you serve white and red in separate glasses. Champagne for the toast — 110. Whisky and soft drinks at the bar — 50–80. For a standing cocktail party, 250–300 glasses in total. Glasses and cutlery are available on request.
Cutlery
One knife-and-fork set per course — with three courses that is 330 sets. Dessert spoons — 110. Serving cutlery — one or two per platter.
Bar and ice
Champagne buckets — one per two bottles, or one per table; with 10 tables that is 10. Ice buckets with tongs — one per table plus two for the bar — 12.
See in the catalogue: Tableware
Scaling
For 50 guests halve everything; for 150 multiply by 1.5. The spare margin stays the same percentage. The number of tables doesn't change glasses and plates, but it does change champagne and ice buckets.
Summary for 100 guests
- Plates — 110 main, 110 starter, 110 dessert
- Glasses — 110 water, 120–200 wine, 110 champagne
- Cutlery — 330 sets, 110 dessert spoons
- Champagne buckets — 10
- Ice buckets with tongs — 12
Indicative. We confirm the final quantities with you based on the menu and style of service.
More guides: Equipment for an outdoor wedding