Tips for Planning a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party

A 50th wedding anniversary is a milestone many never reach and it deserves celebration! The 50th anniversary is known as the "Golden Anniversary" - gold has great value, so does a marriage that has endured this many years.

In planning a 50th wedding anniversary party, consider the couple's personality. Do they like more subtle settings with family or are they social butterflies who love a crowd? Decide if a surprise party would be best or if they are the type that would prefer not to be surprised. The intent is to honor the couple and offer a day of joy and reflection and offer an atmosphere they will be comfortable in.

Choose an appropriate day and time for the party. The setting can range from a cozy atmosphere at your home to a reserved area in a beautiful park, reservations at a restaurant or a rented public facility. Knowing the couple's tastes and style will help with this. Also, keep in mind the amount of parking space needed.

Send out invitations about 4 weeks before the scheduled party, more if guests are out of town. Include an RSVP and a method in which guests can reach you by phone, mail or e-mail. You may opt for creativity with homemade invitations, including a recent picture of the couple or a few words of nostalgia.

If you aren't having the party at a restaurant, you need to decide if you will enlist caterers or prepare the food yourself. Doing it yourself and enlisting a couple of friends or family members will save a lot of money. On the other hand, caterers may save you a lot of headache. Find out the couples favorite foods. Add in a wedding cake. The couple will appreciate being reminded of their wedding day, as they cut into their first piece, once again.