Milestone birthdays often end up larger than planned. This guide covers the furniture, glassware, and catering equipment you need for a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday party, from 40 guests to 150.
Milestone birthdays often end up larger than planned. This guide covers the furniture, glassware, and catering equipment you need for a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday party, from 40 guests to 150.
A 40th, 50th, or 60th birthday party often ends up larger than expected. What begins as a gathering of close friends becomes an event for 100 or more once family, colleagues, and social circles are added. This guide covers the hire requirements from 40 guests up to 150, for both marquee garden parties and events in hired venues.
\n\nA 40th birthday party for 40 guests in a garden is an informal gathering. The hire requirements are modest: a few folding tables, some garden chairs, a BBQ, and basic crockery. A 60th birthday for 150 guests in a marquee is a different event, one that needs round tables, linen, full crockery, and a complete glassware order.
\n\nThe crossover point for most milestone birthday parties is around 70 to 80 guests. Below that number, informal furniture and basic catering equipment are enough. Above it, a more structured setup with round tables, chairs, linen, and matching crockery gives the event the right feel.
\n\nGarden marquee parties are a popular choice for milestone birthdays, most common for 50th and 60th celebrations where the hosts have enough outdoor space. The hire for a garden marquee birthday party includes:
\n\nFor a marquee dinner for 100 guests, the core hire list is: 12 to 13 round tables, 105 chairs, 13 round tablecloths, 100 napkins, dinner crockery for 100, and 300 to 400 wine and water glasses, plus 120 champagne flutes for the toast.
\n\nA champagne toast is the centrepiece moment of most milestone birthday celebrations. Champagne flutes are the standard choice. Order one and a quarter times the guest count to allow for breakages and anyone who arrives without a glass at the key moment.
\n\nFor 100 guests: 125 champagne flutes. For 150 guests: 190 flutes. If the champagne is also used as the arrival drink during the drinks reception, increase the order further. See the glassware hire page for champagne flutes and other glassware types.
\n\nA milestone birthday in a hired venue, such as a function room, hotel space, or community hall, follows the same hire requirements as a marquee party. Many venues provide their own chairs and tables but not matching linen or specialist glassware.
\n\nCheck with the venue what is included before placing your hire order. Commonly, venues supply basic chairs and tables but not linen, glassware, or catering equipment for outside caterers.
\n\nA buffet is the most common catering format for milestone birthday parties, as it keeps service straightforward and allows guests to eat in their own time. For a hot buffet of 100 guests, the basic equipment needed is: 3 to 4 chafing dishes for hot food, a bain marie for sauces or additional dishes, and serving spoons and tongs for each dish.
\n\nIf the party is catered by an outside caterer, they will specify their equipment requirements. Expo Hire can supply the full kitchen and service kit. See the catering equipment page for the range of chafing dishes, bain maries, and serving equipment.
\n\nMilestone birthday parties often have a colour theme, and linen is one of the most visible ways to carry it through the room. Expo Hire stocks linen in a range of colours including white, ivory, and black. Check current availability with the team when planning your colour scheme, as popular colours book up during the summer season.
\n\n| Guests | Round Tables | Chairs | Champagne Flutes | Wine and Water Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 4–5 | 42 | 50 | 120 |
| 80 | 8–10 | 84 | 100 | 240 |
| 100 | 12–13 | 105 | 125 | 300 |
| 150 | 18–19 | 158 | 190 | 450 |
Expo Hire delivers to England and Wales, seven days a week. For delivery charges and minimum order values, see the carriage and delivery page.
See also: summer garden party hire guide and private dining hire guide.
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