Anniversary Party Ideas

faberre

I'm throwing my parents a surprise 40th anniversary party at a cabin on the beach. I am buying decorations similar to those at their wedding and getting a cake that looks similar to their wedding cake. I was originally going to try to make a mini-documentary interviewing family members about my mom and dad and putting it together- I realize I'm not going to have enough time to complete this but would like to do something similar to this- a sentimental gift. Picture slideshows have become a bit overdone in my family so I'm looking for something different that I could possibly do at the party. Most likely I won't have access to a television so I'm looking for options other than audiovisual stuff. Something chronicling their marriage somehow. Any ideas? TIA!

MaryWithoutSound

I went to a wedding in a cabin where the bride and groom had strung twine across the outer walls and hung pictures of themselves throughout their lives with clothespins.  The pictures were all printed in sepia and it gave it this really cool art gallery feeling.  It was also nice because as a guest, I could stroll around and look for as long (or not) as I wanted to.

6fsn

I love the picture idea.  You could also put that into a shutterfly book as a keepsake,  Maybe even have that as a sign in?

faberre

I love both of these ideas, thanks! I think the shutterfly book will work well, I'll have to get on that fast!

Magdala9

For our parents anniversary, we got them corsage/boutinere that mimicked their wedding bouquet/boutineres. 

MrsStubbs

I think this is cute

lsgarver

I like the idea of collage to gallery for people to look at then compiling it in a photobook for them to keep.  I'd suggest Blurb over Shutterfly, just for the sleeker finish.

ellen73

For my parent's 50th last year, my sister scanned in and blew up pictures from their wedding album to poster size.  We then used foam board to mount the pictures, hung them throughout the venue (on all the brick columns, on either side of the fireplace, etc).  It was simple & elegant! The party was in this venue (not a picture from their party,  just a stock photo from the venue itself):

We spray painted tons of tin flower pots gold, planted with geraniums & impatiens & petunias.  We catered it ourselves (for 300+ people).  If people asked if they could do anything, we just said bring dessert, to supplement the cake.  My parents did NOT want gifts...  but both volunteer often... so we collected food and donations for a local shelter and donated everything in their name. I think we rented table cloths and napkins through the caterer for this venue.