Diwali, Eid, and Lunar New Year celebrations often involve large numbers of guests, multi-course meals, and in some cases outdoor elements. This guide covers tables, crockery, catering equipment, and outdoor heating for events of this type.
Diwali, Eid, and Lunar New Year celebrations often involve large numbers of guests, multi-course meals, and in some cases outdoor elements. This guide covers tables, crockery, catering equipment, and outdoor heating for events of this type.
Diwali, Eid, and Lunar New Year celebrations often involve large numbers of guests, multi-course meals, and in some cases outdoor elements. The hire requirements follow a similar pattern to other large communal gatherings, though the scale tends to be greater and the timing more concentrated.
Family-style and multi-course meals work best with round tables, which allow dishes to be shared across the group without awkward reaches. 5ft and 6ft round tables seat 8 and 10 guests respectively and are the most common choice for celebration dinners of this type.
For 100 guests, 10 tables of 10 using 6ft rounds works well. For 200 guests, the same configuration scales to 20 tables. Where a venue has a fixed layout, check the floor plan before committing to a table size, as 6ft rounds need around 3 metres of diameter to allow comfortable access for service staff.
For large celebration dinners, banqueting chairs are the most practical option at high volumes. They stack well, are durable, and are available in large quantities. For smaller, more intimate gatherings of up to 80 guests, chiavari chairs give the room a more formal appearance.
A multi-course celebration meal can involve four or five courses, which means a high volume of plates per person. Crockery hire for events of this type includes a starter plate, main plate, side plate, dessert plate, and sometimes a soup bowl per cover.
For 100 guests at a five-course meal, the minimum crockery count is 500 plates before any buffer. Order at least 15 percent above the seated headcount to allow for breakages and washing cycles during service.
Glassware requirements at cultural celebrations vary by event type. Eid dinners, for example, are often alcohol-free, so the focus is on water glasses and juice glasses rather than wine glasses. Diwali and Lunar New Year events may include wine or champagne, so the full range of table glassware may be needed.
Confirm the drinks format with the organiser before placing the glassware order. Over-ordering and returning unused items is always an option; under-ordering causes problems on the day.
White or ivory tablecloths and napkins are the most versatile option for a large celebration dinner. Coloured linen is available for events with a specific colour scheme, though these need to be booked further in advance as coloured stock is more limited than white.
Some cultural celebrations involve cooking on site, in particular where dishes need to be served fresh. Chafing dishes and serving equipment keep food at temperature during service. Large hot water urns handle tea and other hot drinks for large numbers without requiring constant attention.
For large events with multiple courses, a separate preparation area may be needed. A gazebo or marquee provides a covered outdoor cooking or prep area that keeps the main event space clear.
Diwali falls in October and November. Eid can fall at any point in the year depending on the Islamic calendar. Lunar New Year falls in January or February. All three celebrations can therefore require outdoor heating when the event has an outdoor element.
Expo Hire supplies outdoor furniture for events held in gardens or outdoor spaces. For autumn and winter events, contact Expo Hire to discuss heating options alongside the furniture order, as availability for heating equipment varies by season.
Large celebration events benefit from early booking, in particular for Saturday dates when demand for hire equipment is high across England and Wales. Expo Hire's delivery service operates to venues and private addresses across England and Wales. For events at private addresses, clear access information on the booking helps the delivery team plan the drop.
See also: buffet setup guide and event quantities guide.
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