Search Party411:

• Party411 Home
• Using Party411
• Party Advice

Shop Online
• The Shops
    @ Party411.com
• Banner Guide

• Party Talk
    Newsletter
• Daily Dish Blog

Personalize Your Party
• Candy Bar Wrappers
• Life-Sized Cutouts
    and Photo Ops
• Caricatures
• Invitations
• Sign-In Boards and
    Sign-In Books
• Bottle Labels
• Centerpieces
• Seating Cards
• Favors, Accessories
    and more!
• Custom Party Plans
• Creations for You

Plan Your Party
• Theme Parties
• Special Occasions
• Holiday Parties
• Corporate Event
    Planning
• Party Decorating411
• Party Games
• Invitations
• PartyMenu411
• Planning Guides

Expert Advice
• Corporate Consultant
• The Party Girl
• The Etiquette Queen
• The Game Girl
• Invitation Diva
• Fashion Queen
• The Party Doctor
• Party FAQs

• Door Prizes
• Discussion Forums
• Your Parties
• About Party411
• Advertising
    Opportunities

• Site Map

A Golden Wedding Celebration

Celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary certainly deserves an excellent party. The marriage has lasted through Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and two Bushes. This much history demands planning a wedding anniversary that will be remembered for 50 more years.

Putting together a guest list for a 50th anniversary isn't too hard. There are friends, family (by now kids, grandkids, in-laws and maybe a great-grandchild or two), work associates, volunteer groups, etc. After so many years, a couple has touched many lives. Of course, some people are more comfortable with smaller gatherings, and that's ok. It will still be a special evening.

Whether you host the party at home, make it an intimate gathering in a restaurant, or decide to throw a large, catered event, some things will always be important.

The Invitation

For the 50th, I suggest a caricature invitation. Capture the spirit of the couple and establish a theme at the same time. The best part about a caricature is that you can use it for your invitation or sign-in board, or give one as a gift customized to the particular characteristics and interests of the celebrant. Nothing is more personal or more fun, and it screams, "This party is going to be fabulous!" Check out some samples of our work and learn more about what we can do.

Setting the Stage

The traditional symbol for a 50th wedding anniversary is gold, giving you the perfect element for setting a beautiful stage for this party. Here are some ideas for how you can incorporate gold into your party decorations and table settings.

Begin by setting the table with ivory colored linens. Then add any of these golden accents to make the room shine.

• Gold Tableskirt
• Hold down metallic balloons with a gold foil balloon weight.
• Use white china with gold trim.
• Serve drinks in crystal that has gold accents.
• Tie napkins with golden ribbon.
• Light the table with a personalized gold swirl votive candle.
• Put flowers in a gold cylinder vase.
• Gather photos from throughout the couples' marriage and place them on display in golden frames personalized for the occasion.

We just had a group that planned a "golden" event and ordered the following from MakesParties.com to set the mood.

• Gold Wrap Glasses
• Gold Tinsel Maracas
• Mini Gold Maracas
• Gold Streamer Maracas
• Gold Faceted Beads
• Gold Sequin Headband
• Gold Fedora
• Gold Star Glasses
• Gold Mini Tambourines
• Gold Sequin Hat
• Gold Rose Placecard

From what we hear the party was a blast!

Make it an evening that's a perfect memory for the couple.

• For musical background, play the couple's favorite songs. Party411 can make a CD cover that's personalized for the occasion. Make copies of the CD and give them away as party favors. Contact the Custom Queen.
• Before the party, ask guests to submit in writing their favorite memories of the couple. Assemble these in the scrapbook as a gift for the couple.
• Let people share memories of the couple during the golden wedding celebration. Don't forget to toast the guests of honor. You, as host, should have special words to say to them. But encourage everyone to share their fondest memories and wishes with the couple.
• Food is important. Select a menu of their favorite foods but remember to make it simple on you. Who wants to be in the kitchen during the golden festivities?
• Top the anniversary cake with the topper from their wedding cake if you can sneak it away from them. Otherwise, create a cake topper from golden balls, gold leaves or even golden cupids.
• Make sure someone is taking a video during the event. If you have a good editor you can make copies for all the guests. A truly memorable favor that can be enjoyed over and over.

Consider any of the following as party favors for guests:

• A personalized candy bar wrapper.
  For a truly special memory take this gold photo album and include 48 3 x 5 pictures of the couple. Lots of work, but what a memory!
• A cello bag of chocolates wrapped in gold foil tied with a gold ribbon.
• A small, gold tone picture frame with a portrait of the couple. 
• A split of champagne that has been personalized for the event. Party411 can make the label. Contact the Custom Queen
• Decorate each place setting with a mini vase filled with fresh flowers. Preferably the vase will have gold accents. At the end of the party guests can take these home as favors. 
• A current trend is to give a gift to the couple's favorite charity in their name, in lieu of party favors. Give all the guests a small card with a thank you note for attending that informs them of the donation.

The key to a great golden wedding anniversary is to make the couple the center of attention. The golden decorations are an accent that sets the tone but they should not be the focal point of the event.

For more great ideas for your 50th wedding anniversary contact the Party Girl.

See our anniversary planning guide.