Planning A 25th Silver Anniversary Party

Planning a 25th Anniversary Party Part 1

Deciding what Kind of Party to Throw

• Consult with the Couple in Question
  
  The 25th wedding anniversary is a milestone, and the couple in question's worst nightmare might be a huge anniversary party with guests they'd rather not have seen again, especially if they haven't updated their little black books you happened to have come across for a while (like the last entry being over 25 years ago)!
  
  Or they might have planned an intimate and cozy night in, and a surprise party might be embarrassing for everyone. Surprise parties can be exciting, but a 25th anniversary party will be far more meaningful if the couple are involved in the planning process, as they can suggest things that will make the party extra special to them.
  
  You get my drift - include the couple's input from the outset and the 25th anniversary party will be enjoyable for everyone with no unpleasant surprises. After all, the party is dedicated to this couple and they should be kept happy at all costs.
  
  Planning this 25th wedding anniversary is one of the best anniversary gifts you can give this well deserving couple.

• Decide on a Budget
  
  The budget may or may not be an issue. But think about this - do you remember the last party or celebration that you enjoyed?
  
  Do you remember it for the amount of money that the host spent?
  
  I doubt it - I'm sure it was because of all the thought and planning that went into the party to make it so special and enjoyable.
  
  But if you have a budget, this will influence your decisions on how many people to invite and what type of party to throw. Once you start planning though, it is likely that you will have lots of people offering to help with food, party supplies, etc.

• Brainstorm Ideas for 25th Anniversary Party
  
  If you have a budget, or can spend, spend, spend, you will still need to brainstorm some ideas for a 25th anniversary party. Think silver and take a look at some of these ideas; they should spark some inspiration:
  
  * Dinner Party
  * Cocktail Party
  * Barbeque
  * Pool Party
  * Black Tie Dinner and Dance
  * Drinks and Fireworks Evening
  * Picnic
  * Renew Wedding Vows Ceremony
  * Champagne Toast
  * Masquerade Ball
  * Themed Party
  * River or Sea Cruise

Planning a 25th Anniversary Party Part 2

Setting the Date and Invitations

• Create the 25th Anniversary Guest List
  
  If the party is to be an intimate affair, just invite close friends and family, or if it's a huge cocktail party, stacks of guests, friends and co-workers will need to be invited. A good idea is to invite people who attended the wedding.

• Setting the Date for the 25th Anniversary Party
  
  I know the most obvious date is the actual day of the 25th wedding anniversary, but if it doesn't fall on the weekend, it is worth thinking about setting the date of the party on the weekend as more people should be able to attend. Potential guests are less likely to have other arrangements or commitments if a party is arranged on a weekend.
  
  Of course, the earlier you start planning and set the date the better, as people are even more likely to have the date free. This is also is dependant on the size of the party and if you are inviting guests from far afield. You might want to arrange an intimate party with the couple's closest friends and family, or have a big extravagant affair with everyone the couple has known and worked with for the last twenty five years.

• Send out the Invitations to the 25th Anniversary Party
  
  Don't send everyday shop bought invitations unless they are something different or memorable. Here are some rather exciting 25th anniversary invitations you could consider:
  
  Edible Custom Cookie Cards
  
  Personalized Save the Date Magnet Kit
  
  Save The Date Simple & Elegant Tins
  
  If you are an arty crafty kind of person, you could always decide to make the invitations yourself and add that extra personal touch. Just purchase a do it yourself wedding invitation kit and add your own design and wording.
  
  Send the invitations as soon as possible, once the date has been decided, to ensure the majority of invited people have the date free.

25th Anniversary Party Essentials

• 25th Anniversary Decorations
  
  Decorations aren't too hard to find for a 25th wedding anniversary party - as long as they are silver you can't go far wrong! You can look for silver balloons, candles, table clothes and floral arrangements sprayed silver, or flowers put in silver vases. There are plenty of silver decorations available like silver wedding bells and Silver Heart Place Card Holders. The only limit is your imagination.

• 25th Anniversary Food and Drinks
  
  At a 25th Wedding anniversary your guests are likely to expect food, drinks and a glass of champagne to toast the happy couple. You can provide a full meal if you wish, but a buffet finger food type of affair is also just as acceptable.

• 25th Anniversary Cake
  
  An anniversary cake is, excuse the cliché, the icing on the cake for a successful party. A silver tiered wedding cake is perfect for an occasion like a 25th anniversary party. You can get some great personalized wedding cake toppers to add that extra special touch to the cake. There are many designs that are fitting for an anniversary like silver heart cake toppers, silver initial toppers to create your monogram and more!

• Display Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary couple
  
  A nice touch to any 25th anniversary party is to have a display dedicated to the happy couple. This could have the original wedding photos and memorable photos over the past twenty five years. You can get these photos from the couple themselves and also from the guests so you get a couple of obligatory embarrassing ones in there too. Place them in albums, on photo boards or in silver picture frame favors.