Planning my parents’ 50th golden wedding anniversary was a special honor. While I wasn’t there to help plan their wedding fifty years ago, being part of this milestone celebration was incredibly meaningful. It was heartwarming to have so many friends and family offer their help. Several talented guests, including those with expertise in hair and makeup, photography, music, and baking, generously contributed to the festivities. Here’s how we made the day memorable and what we learned along the way.
Choosing the Perfect Venue
Our first priority was selecting the right venue. Since we were planning for a guest list of over 150 people with a formal theme we needed to set a budget and establish a vision for the event.
My mom and dad found a beautiful place at a country club with stunning views and a delicious menu. Food and refreshments were top priorities. They even claimed to have their own sound system (more about that later), which sounded perfect for our needs. However, a few weeks before the event, our main contact left the company, and we found ourselves renegotiating with a new representative.
Lesson Learned: Always confirm agreements in writing. Email confirmations and contract clauses are crucial, especially when staff changes occur. It’s important to be flexible and prepared for last-minute adjustments. Moreover, make sure you have a contact person on the day of the event who knows what you’re expecting, and share this contact with those who will need it during setup.
Crafting Invitations with a Personal Touch
For the invitations, I created a monogram with a modern floral wreath design. Initially, we considered using gold foil, but we decided on a more understated look with white text on an earth-tone brown background. The simpler design reflected the event’s elegance and timeless nature. We decided to add the touch of gold accents through decor and attire instead.
My dad also requested a custom embosser, which we used for the envelopes, place cards, and centerpiece details.
Tip: Choose invitation designs that reflect the event’s theme and mood. Personalized touches make them memorable and set the tone for your guests.
Decor and Signage: Setting the Atmosphere
Our decor aimed to balance elegance and warmth. With only two hours before the event to decorate, we had to ensure everything was easy to arrange. We ordered an easy-to-assemble gold arch with silk flowers and fabric and practiced assembling it beforehand. We prepared all the place cards, table number cards, and stands so it was easy for those helping on the day of the event. The seating chart matched their invitation to keep things cohesive.
Potted orchids served as centerpieces, given away to a lucky guest whose birthday was closest to the anniversary date. Each table card included a different photo from their wedding 50 years ago, a delightful surprise for those who attended the original ceremony. These elements helped create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Cake
We’re fortunate to know a talented baker, Tess from The Cakebooth, who understood our vision and created a lovely cake with the monogram as a topper. We were able to play up the gold on this and it served as a focal point piece at the celebration.
Renewal of Vows
The event began with a renewal of vows conducted by a priest my parents have known for years. It was touching to see all their guests stand and witness them reaffirm their promise to each other, and to God, surrounded by love and support.
Planning for Entertainment
We faced a minor hiccup with the sound system, which was only suitable for conferences and not equipped for a DJ or live performances. Thankfully, our DJ had his equipment, but we still needed to source additional amplifiers, microphones, and lights for performances by the grandchildren.
Advice: Verify the venue’s equipment capabilities in advance, including the projection screen, projector connection, and location. Ensure everything meets the requirements for speeches, music, presentations, and performances to save stress and last-minute expenses.
Attire and Coordinating the Day
Coordinating attire for the family was another fun aspect. We chose a formal theme, with everyone dressed in elegant shades that complemented the decor. Gold is used on my dad’s tie and mom’s dress to allow them to stand out, they also wore flower boutonnières.
Coordinating attire helps unify the event’s look and makes for beautiful photographs.
Photography and Video
Speaking of photographs, before the party, we had a family photoshoot. With young children running around, you need to grab them while they are still in the mood and the clothes are clean… #iykyk. Each table also had the opportunity to take a photo with the celebrants. The crew documented the event, ensuring each special moment was captured.
Insight: Our photographer friends came prepared with a shot list and arrived early to capture details and drone shots. They also requested the program schedule beforehand to get a feel for the flow, and we were in constant communication.
Personalized Favors
To thank the guests, we prepared gold key-shaped bottle openers/keychains from Amazon. I redesigned the favor tags to personalize them more, including the words “Thank you for being a KEY part of our Lives.”
Insight: Thoughtful favors leave a lasting impression. They show appreciation and provide guests with a keepsake from the event. If you can customize the gift tags, try to do it.
Speeches and Presentations
Right from the start of our party planning, my brothers and their families knew that we wanted to make the celebration extra special with performances and speeches for our parents. My younger brother, Ben, lent his incredible M.C. skills to guide the schedule of the evening, keeping everyone engaged and entertained. Ben and I met a couple of weeks before the event to create the program flow which helped a lot fill in any gaps and importance considerations.
The four older grandchildren learned a modern Tagalog song called “Pasilyo” (even though they don’t speak our native language). It was a gesture of love and dedication for their grandparents. During their performance, a montage of their wedding and photos of their growing family played. It was a touching and special performance that brought the present and memories of the past in one moment.
For the encore, they sang “I’m So Blessed.”
The six younger grandchildren danced to “Dynamite.” We brainstormed a group name for the ten grandkids and came up with “The Grand 10,” allowing me to create a logo for t-shirts printed by my sister-in-law. These performances and tributes were well-received, bringing joy to everyone.
My parents surprised us with a ballroom dance with a live song performance by their friend. They also made a speech and shared their appreciation for each other and those who helped make their day possible. To open the dance floor, we learned a line dance called “Todo Todo,” encouraging guests to join us.
Thank You Cards
After opening gifts and receiving photos from the photographers, I created thank you cards featuring a photo of each guest. Though unnecessary, this thoughtful gesture ensured the cards became keepsakes. My mom and dad wrote heartfelt messages on the back of each card to express their appreciation.
Summary
Celebrating these milestones taught us the importance of family, flexibility, and the beauty of shared experiences. There were many joyful moments, some of which moved us to tears.
An event like the 50th anniversary was a reminder of the love and support that bind us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to create lasting memories with the people I cherish most.
Coordinating all the details really paid off with a beautifully cohesive look, and the heartfelt performances and speeches truly made the event unforgettable and deeply personal. It gave us the opportunity to verbally say and show our love to our parents and share it with those who are important to them.
From the enthusiastic feedback and reactions of our guests, it’s clear they felt a lot of joy. Seeing my mom and dad radiating with love made every ounce of effort we put into planning this celebration worth it.
Making My Designs Accessible
As a designer, I strive to create designs with the level of detail and care that I would provide for my parents. I understand that not everyone can budget for a personal designer.
You’ll be pleased to know that I share my event collections through a print partner, Zazzle Inc. They handle printing and shipping, making my designs accessible to a broader audience. If my style resonates with you, check out my shop for ready-to-use templates to add a personal touch to your special occasions. I’m sharing a few of the designs similar and inspired by this event below. Click on each image to customize instantly.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you planned a milestone event for your family? What challenges did you face, and what tips would you add? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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