It's my parents' 25th wedding anniversary this year and I'd really like to do something for them like throw a party for their family and friends. I'm only 19 and don't really have any experience with throwing parties... I'd appreciate some direction and ideas! Thanks! :)
2007-01-14 13:22:06 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
To start I will assume that this is a big event. If it is not and you want a small house party then go with a buffet pot luck or you can make snacks. If you want a special event the first thing that you need to do is ask someone in the family such as an aunt or close family friend to help. If this is not possible see if you can find a way to list all those people who are important to your parents. A nice surprise would be someone who hasn't seen them for awhile. Second you will need to decide how many you will be having and where you can have it. If you do not need a large space then you can have it at home or if you have the money rent a small hall (check your yellow pages) or perhaps your church has a hall you could use. Now if you can affort it the simplist way to get things done is to hire a caterer for a large group, or you can make it pot luck (everyone invited brings a dish - assign the dish so that you do not get a number of the same dish.) The caterer provides the dishes and cutlery. If you decide to pot luck use nice paper plates with fancy serviettes to
reduce the amount of dishes you will need to wash. There are some really pretty ones out there. Don't forget the smaller cake plates too. You will of course have to decide if you want a tea with refreshments, a meal (which meal lunch dinner or brunch even breakfast would be cool...they would never guess). Once you know where and when and who you will need to send out invitations a month or two before your event making sure there is RSVP by a certain date which lots of people never answer so you will need a phone list as well. If you have hired a caterer then they can help you plan your refreshments. They will also serve and clean up which is great. determine if you want alcohol or not. If so, stick to a punch, one alcoholic and one non and perhaps beer and wine. Mixed drinks are expensive and take up a lot of time whereas with a punch they can help themselves. I would however serve the beer and wine. Perhaps you can get a friend or uncle to be the bartender host. Of course you also will need to decorate. If you have a couple of creative friends get together and plan what you want, table arrangements etc. Keep your decorations simple and use the best for your parents table. Make sure they can see everyone from where they sit and that you place the tables such that everyone can see them (some may have to turn a bit in their chair). Use name tags at each table for seating arrangements. You may have a lot of people that will be delighted to help you and that is good. Since you are the hostess you need to delegate tasks to those who are there to help. Letting others help with the work will really make a difference to the spirit of your event. You also will not wear yourself thin. Remember to touch base with each volunteer and it is a good idea to acknowledge your help at the end of the party and perhaps a token gift. If you want music the caterer can recommend a dj or maybe you have family or friends that can help with that. Some people would like to make a speach so allow time for that, it is a good idea to find out who wants to speak. Also, if your parents have a close friend or sybling ask that person if they will MC the event (introduce the your parents, call up and introduce the speakers, and have you speak at the end to acknowledge the help and your love for your parents. Have someone take pictures and make a photo album for your parents as a keepsake. Don't forget the cake, you can make it yourself or order a large slab . Have a table for the presents and a guest sign in book so that your parents have something to remind them of who all came. When they open gifts have someone write down who gave what so that thank you notes are not a night mare. Also ask some friends or family to help with clean up if you do not have a caterer. You will still be responsible to see that the hall (if you rent one) is in good order when you leave. Of course your home needs to be in good order to.
Figure out if this is to be a surprise and how you will get them to the party if it is. It seems like a lot to do but really it isn't. Make a list.
You may just wish to have an informal get together serving finger foods. Invitations, beverages, napkins small and large, either make or order from large grocery store finger food trays. It is up to you what you feel would work best for your parents.
Good luck with your party and congratulations to your parents. Hope this helps.
2007-01-14 14:25:12 · answer #1 · answered by tuxedocat 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Set a date early so that people can plan ahead and travel if necessary. Use thier address book and mail letters to all their friends. Ask for a card, a note or email from those that can't come. People usually respond really well to this. Get old pictures, videos, etcl and make a dvd that can play throughout the party of their life together. Make it casual enough that everyone will relax, stay for awhile and have a great time. Use music from their teenage years.
My kids gave us a 30th anniversary two years ago and these were some ideas they used. It was wonderful!
2007-01-14 13:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by montanagirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, no offense but this is your wedding day. Though your brothers are in the army and I know it is hard to get both of them there especially at your wedding reception and your parents 25th anniversary. This is suppose to be your day but hey I have a brother in the Army and it is hard getting him home. So do what is best for you. I would share the party if it means having my two brothers home.
2016-03-28 21:58:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
his really depends on how many people you want to invite, and how much money you want to spend. I would think an open house type party would work well. You can have cold cuts and rolls set out on trays, veggie and fruit trays, chips and a cake. Punch and coffee, and if they drink alcohol you can have some beer and wine there as well. Send out invitations, and have fun! A really nice touch would be a tribute video, you can have photos representing the last 25 years of your family set to their favorite song, or if you could find out what their wedding dance was you could use that. It is a nice tribute and a keepsake that they would enjoy. Have fun! (recruit help!!!)
2007-01-14 15:18:14 · answer #4 · answered by catywhumpass 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It kind of depends on your budget and how much work you want to do. Decide how much money you want to spend and then go from there. Bear in mind that the most important thing is the thought and the ability of your parents to see their friends and relatives, not how much moolah you blow on them.
2007-01-14 13:27:04 · answer #5 · answered by Scott K 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not a big one on parties. I would rather gift them 2 exotic cruise tickets or something if I have some saving and they have good health and can enjoy it.
2007-01-14 13:43:45 · answer #6 · answered by SP 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Set up your house like there first date. Make it sweet & romantic <333 & for there 50th re make there wedding day. or vise versa :) best of luck
2007-01-14 13:33:30 · answer #7 · answered by Chevy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just a small home party
2007-01-14 13:26:29 · answer #8 · answered by iroc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make it at a starbucks
2007-01-14 13:24:32 · answer #9 · answered by narcissa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋