You can skip to the appropriate section below if you are looking for a specific answer to a question in your anniversary checklist:
Step 1: Select a Date and Time
Setting a date for an anniversary celebration is the first step. Set the date for the celebration a few months before the actual anniversary of the couple. This will give you plenty of time to plan. You may want to set the date up to four or five months ahead of time if the party will be formal. Also, send out save-the-date cards so that guests can plan their travels and accommodations if they are coming from outside the city.
Consult the couple about the best date for them if you are hosting the event. The couple planning the party should consult their children, and other family members who may be travelling from afar. It is important to also consider the time of your anniversary party. A daytime celebration will feel different than one that takes place at night.
Step 2: Select a Location
Location of an anniversary party is determined by the formality and number of guests you are inviting. You can have a dinner or small gathering at a relative or couple’s home if you are hosting the event. Renting a room in a restaurant is another option. Renting a hotel ballroom or local recreation room is a great idea if you are hosting a formal event. Couples who have been married for ten years or more often choose more formal venues and parties. This is especially true of couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary.
Location Ideas
- Home
- Visit a friend or relative’s house
- Hotel ballroom
- Country Club banquet room
- Church hall
- Pictures
- Club/lounge
- Restaurant (private room)
Step 3: Select an Anniversary Party Theme
The theme of an anniversary party should be fun, and reflect the couple. The most formal themes for anniversary parties are based on color to ensure the decorations are elegant and coordinated. If you are throwing a more casual anniversary celebration, you may want to consider themes that are more out-of-the-box, such as a luau-themed anniversary party or a rustic outdoor dinner. The most popular theme for a wedding anniversary is based on the symbol of the couple. The color and symbol for a 50th wedding anniversary party are gold. Therefore, most of the theme and decor will include gold. Below are some of the most common wedding anniversary symbols.
Wedding anniversary symbols:
- 1st — Paper
- 2nd — Cotton
- 3rd — Leather
- 4th — Fruit/Flowers
- 5th — Wood
- 6th — Candy/Iron
- 7th — Wool and Copper
- 8th — Bronze, Pottery
- 9th — Willow, Pottery
- 10th — Aluminum, Tin
- 11th — Steel
- 12th — Silk, Linen
- 13th — Lace
- 14th — Ivory
- 15th — Crystal
- 20th — China
- 25th — Silver
- 30th — Pearl
- 35th — Coral
- 40th — Ruby
- 45th — Sapphire
- 50th — Gold
- 55th — Emerald
- 60th — Diamond
- 75th — Diamond
Send out Anniversary Party Invitations
You should send invitations to the anniversary party six to eight weeks in advance, especially if it is a formal party. If you have enough time, you may send Save the Dates to give your loved ones living far away an earlier notice. You should also include the RSVP deadline so that you can plan your budget and purchase the appropriate amount of food and drink. List any other relevant information, such as the attire code, so that guests are prepared. Your party invitations will give guests an idea of what they can expect during your celebration.
Include the following information on your invitations
- Host(s)
- Names of Couple
- The number of weddings the couple will celebrate
- Date
- Time is a factor
- Location
- Dress Code
- RSVP Information
Step 5: Plan your Food and Drinks
Keep your guests happy and satisfied when planning your anniversary celebration. Set a budget for food and beverages before you go to the store or consult a caterer so that you can track your spending. You may consider cooking for a small group and setting up a buffet. If you are hosting a party for more than 30 people, it is best to have the party catered. This will save you the hassle of cooking. If you have a limited budget, you may want to hire a local chef or a family member. However, if the budget allows it, you could also choose a large catering company. Budget for an anniversary cake that honors the couple. If you are having the party catered or if you’re cooking, don’t forget to include a wide variety of appetizers and drinks, including non-alcoholic options, as well as a vegetarian choice.
Step 6: Create a List of Anniversary Party Decoration Ideas
The decorations for an anniversary celebration are often based on a party’s color scheme or theme, with some personalized touches to highlight the history of the couple. When planning your party, here are some anniversary decorations to keep in mind:
- Garlands
- Banners
- Couple photos
- Candles with photos of the couple
- Balloons
- Custom “Love Balloons”
- Custom champagne glasses
- Happy Anniversary Background
- Floral arrangements
- Signage or canvas prints with anniversary quotations
- Centerpieces
- Hanging paper lanterns
- Couple photo timeline
Step 7: Select Entertainment
You’ll need to arrange for entertainment and music to keep your party going. If you’d like to have a party with live music, you can hire either a band or a DJ who will play classics. You should book entertainment well in advance to avoid having to deal with a DJ or band that you don’t like. The anniversary couple is the main attraction of the event. Therefore, the DJ or band should play the couple’s favorite Anniversary Songs (especially the wedding song). Include tributes from family members and speeches to the anniversary couple in your entertainment schedule.
Step 8: Hire a Photographer
To preserve the memories of your anniversary celebration, hire a professional photographer to take pictures. After the celebration, the number one question will be “Do you have photos?”. You can ensure that the party is well documented by meeting with a professional photographer several weeks in advance. The photographer can then focus on the key moments of the celebration, as well as the couple with their loved ones.
Start early when planning an anniversary party. This will help you avoid being overwhelmed. You can reduce the stress of planning an anniversary party, whether you are the couple or the host. Divide the work to make it easier. This is especially true on the day of when you see all the details that were planned in advance come alive!
