(Newswire.net — October 4, 2022) — Very few couples make it to their 50th wedding anniversary. If you and your wife are celebrating this milestone, you should truly celebrate in style. Now’s your chance to live it up!
6 Tips for Planning Your 50th Anniversary Party
Marriage is designed to be a permanent union between couples. Unfortunately, it rarely ends up that way. Research shows that almost half of all marriages end within the first 15 years. And by the time the 50th anniversary rolls around, less than 5 percent of marriages are intact. That means if you’ve been married for 50 years, you’re in rare company. And you should celebrate like it.
Here are some tips for planning your 50th-anniversary party:
1. Set Your Budget
Start by setting a clear budget. The amount you’re willing to spend will dictate how much you’re able to do and who you’re able to invite.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to host a 50th-anniversary party (though you certainly can). For a few hundred dollars, you can host an event at someone’s home and have decent food. Or, for several thousand dollars, you can pay for vendors, caterers, an event space, etc.
When it comes to the budget, you’ll also want to think through your anniversary gift to your spouse and include that in the total cost. This is one of those times when it’s okay to splurge. Diamonds are a great option, including something like a diamond tennis necklace.
2. Choose a Date
You don’t have to throw the party on your actual anniversary date (though it’s fine if you do). Instead, find a date that’s convenient for you and other important guests. A Saturday afternoon or evening party is ideal, as this makes it more convenient for anyone who may be traveling from out of town. (Having said that Saturdays also tend to be the busiest social days for people. So, if you’re going to plan a weekend party, get it on the calendar as soon as possible!)
3. Create a Guest List
Armed with a budget and date, it’s time to think about who you want to invite. It’s obviously your decision, but here are some suggestions (based on who gets the nod first):
All immediate family members (including adult kids, grandchildren, siblings, etc.)
- All close friends who are currently in your life
- Anyone who was originally in your wedding party
- Neighbors, coworkers, and other people in your social group
Remember that with more people comes more costs. Keep this in mind and try to select a guest list that works well with the budget you’ve already established.
4. Select a Venue
The venue is a major choice. If it’s a small anniversary party, there’s nothing wrong with using your home/backyard. But if the guest list is any bigger than 30 or 40 people, it’s probably better to choose a dedicated event space. The sooner you select a date for the party, the faster you can find an available venue.
5. Develop a Plan
You don’t have to “over-plan” the party. There’s something nice about a casual anniversary party where people are free to eat and mingle. Having said that, you may want to incorporate some specific elements. If you do plan on having things like vow renewals, toasts, or seated dinners, a rough itinerary for the evening is helpful.
6. Make it Special
Find as many ways to make the event special as possible. For example, you shouldn’t expect everyone to be able to make the party. But you can gather a short one-to-two-minute video message from every friend and loved one and compile them into a single video. This video can be shown at the party and saved as a keepsake. Little things like this go a long way toward making the party as memorable as it can possibly be.
Putting it All Together
While you can definitely plan your own party, don’t be afraid to let your adult children take over the details for you. This will allow you to relax a little more and enjoy the experience. But whatever you do, just have fun with it. You’ve made it further than 95 percent of other couples. Celebrate your accomplishment in style!