| When planning a 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary | | | | also be used as Thank You notes. Using an ink jet |
| there is so much to celebrate. My family and I | | | | printer these can be made at home for a fraction of |
| celebrated our parents golden wedding anniversary | | | | the cost of having invitations printed. Use a thin gold |
| this past June and would like to share our party | | | | permanent marker to address the invitation and |
| planning tips. These tips will include choosing a location, | | | | response card envelopes for a professional look. |
| choosing invitations, as well as tips on photographs at | | | | Gifts and Memory Cards |
| the special event. | | | | Often times married couples celebrating this milestone |
| Location | | | | anniversary will request that there be no gifts, |
| Planning a celebration of this importance has the | | | | sometimes with a phrase such as the following printed |
| feeling a bit like planning a wedding. And in a sense it is | | | | on the invitation: "No gifts please, your presence is the |
| similar, when it comes to securing a location for the | | | | best present". |
| event, it is not uncommon to begin planning as much as | | | | One special way of honoring this request and still |
| 18 months prior to the anniversary. Research at this | | | | gifting them with a loving and memorable item is to ask |
| stage can include telephoning several local hotels with | | | | each person on the guest list to complete and return a |
| the following questions: | | | | memory card. On the memory card can be a special |
| - Is the facility/room available on the desired date and | | | | or meaningful memory, and photographs if desired, of |
| time? | | | | times spent together with the celebrating couple. |
| - Is there a charge or fee for use of the room? | | | | These cards and photos can be placed in a special |
| - What is the guest capacity of the room? | | | | album and presented to the celebrating couple before |
| - Does the hotel offer catering? | | | | or during the celebration. If the couple opens the |
| When you have narrowed your search to three | | | | memory album during the celebration, each guest will |
| possible locations, arrange to visit them to determine if | | | | be able to share in the memories too. This is a |
| the room and location feels right for your gathering. | | | | wonderful opportunity for all to share in the celebration |
| This is also a time to discuss flowers, table | | | | and times spent together and will be a cherished item |
| arrangements, staffing and gratuities with hotel | | | | for years to come. |
| management. When you feel you have secured the | | | | Photographs |
| best location for the celebration, you may need to sign | | | | Finally, some tips on photographs at your event. |
| a contract outlining the date of your event and | | | | Really the best advice for photographing the event is |
| additional information discussed with the location sales | | | | to start taking photographs early. |
| manager. | | | | Take photos during your planning phase, during your |
| Guest Invitations | | | | preparations, and while setting up or preparing for the |
| Start with a guest list and decide if you would like to | | | | celebration. Begin taking photos as guests arrive, |
| send Save-The-Date cards. These can be located | | | | covering each guest and also with the anniversary |
| online or at a paper, office supply, or greeting card | | | | couple. Remember to wait until all persons are aware |
| store. There are many styles and themes available to | | | | that you would like to take a picture, so you have a |
| suit your needs. If time or expense is a concern, | | | | great photo. Asking if someone would mind having |
| consider emailing your guest list with the Save-The | | | | their photo taken is a great way of prepping everyone |
| Date information. | | | | to look at the camera and say cheese! |
| Invitations can be sent out two months prior to the | | | | With most cameras today being digital you are only |
| event, but no later than six weeks before the event. | | | | limited by the amount of available memory. If you do |
| Professionally printed invitations are available in a | | | | not like the photo, it can be deleted and another can |
| variety of styles, fonts, paper, and designs. Allow | | | | be taken. Bring extra batteries too. |
| enough time to order these as the delivery time may | | | | In conclusion, I hope these tips or suggestions on |
| vary from vendor to vendor. There are many online | | | | selecting a location, inviting guests, sharing memories, |
| sites available to choose the perfect invitation. | | | | and photographing the special event are useful to you |
| Alternatively, office supply stores carry beautiful | | | | or provide stimulus for other ideas to make your 50th |
| invitation kits that are very reasonably priced and | | | | Wedding Anniversary celebration an enjoyable and |
| include the invitations and envelopes, as well as | | | | memorable event. |
| response cards and corresponding envelopes that can | | | | |