the date is in september and my sister wanted to take on all the preperations. renting a hall, catering, invitations, ect. and myself and my brother would split the cost. She called me last nite to say this would all be too expensive and wants to do it at her house, ( not large enough to accomitdate 50 + people) Has anyone planned a party like this? is it a surprise party? Milestone like this should be celebrated proprly... PLEASE any help would be wonderful.
2007-04-06 00:38:26 · 10 answers · asked by lbrlsky 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
My parents have had their 45th and and my in-laws their 50th Anniversary in the last two years. Both were in Halls, one was catered, one we did the catering ourselves (we are a BIG family)- both were great parties.
If a Hall is too expensive , why not look around? Some schools, sports clubs, community houses etc, have rooms, Gyms, or halls which they rent out and may be cheaper than a bigger public hall. Some include the cost of tables and chairs, and a lot have Kitchen facilities.
Invitations can be done on a home computer, and look great if you get some special paper, and card, and stickers from craft shops, or ribbons to give them the finishing touch. Team them with coloured envelopes (also printed on the computer).
As to catering, a BBq Spit roast can be as little as $8.00 a head, so shop around. Some offer a discount if you help with the tidy up or do the desserts yourself. Is catering done between family members a possibility? The other thing to consider is the time of day for the party, because generally its cheaper to do lunch than dinner. Cheaper to do nibbles than a sit down meal.
For drinks you can consider doing soft drink, beer and wine, and have people "Bring Your Own" Spirits, or just have them BYO all drinks.
Decorations can be done by yourselves, which is much cheaper than paying someone else to do them. If you pick one or two main colours and use them for flowers, tablecloths, ballons, streamers, etc. the effect can be almost professional.
Plastic plates and cutlery is generally cheaper than hiring crockery, and easier to clean up. Ditto with glasses.
Hope this helps, B
2007-04-06 01:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by Barb Outhere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom and her siblings rented a room at the Officers Club at Elgin AFB where they met and retired to. I guess the Officers Club did the food and the cake. The invitiations had their wedding photo on the front. They knew about it because all the family came into town for it. We did have a surprise though....their best friends from when they got married and they hadnt seen in 40 years! We flew them in and my dad picked them up at their hotel and drove them to the Officers Club. They thought that was awesome.
I agree with having a reception at their church with a replica of their wedding cake. I think that is a nice idea. You could do that to save some money and get them a overnight trip to a bed and breakfast nearby. Make sure you have all the family there and have a professional photographer take a group photo of the whole family!
2007-04-06 01:01:21 · answer #2 · answered by GAjen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could go to your local Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and get pricing for rental from them (probably about $300-$600 depending on if you bring food or have them cater it, but then it is included in the cost if they do the food and you can pick a menu, plus you said the three of you are going to split everything), maybe make it a pot luck type deal and let people (guests) know that if they would not mind making something for say 30 people and have several items, you can make very nice invitations on your home computer and make your own labels. To make your invite you could buy a $50 card creator (for your computer) with clip art and borders and use whatever font you want and make your own whether it is on standard 8.5 x 11 paper or go to Staples, Office Depot, Michael's, AC Moore and find wedding style blank invites (50 per box usually) and buy standard white labels.
If you do favors you could go to Michaels or AC Moore and buy nice white candles and tulle or white M&Ms (bigger candy stores in malls have the different colors) and tulle and nice ribbon. Decorations you can go to Party City and find some nice ones or use pics from when your parents got married and were growing up and then pics of you and your siblings.
Good luck and if you would like you could message me and I could go into further detail. ( I planned my sister's baby shower with over 30 there, originally over 50 were invited)
2007-04-06 02:48:02 · answer #3 · answered by Important 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
50 years means they got married in 1957-correct? Potlucks were even more popular in the 50's than they are now. Why not have a retro 50's potluck for 50 years theme and take away any notion of tackiness. Put something on the invitation like" bring a 50's style or any favorite dish to pass-fried chicken,beverages will be provided". If people call and ask what 50's food is tell them anything made with canned condensed soup like casseroles-also jello salads, meatloaf, relish trays, desserts made with boxed cake mix, boxed pudding mix,canned fruit or marshmellows.
2016-05-18 03:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Family suprised my Grandparents with a wedding for the 50th. We all live in FL & They Lived in GA. WE all pitched in food , drinks etc . & found a nice park.
We made invations on the computer. and kept it to good friends & family. Ended up only family went ( 72 of us). But since everyone pitched in it did not cost very much.
We contacted the pastor at a local church there and told him the love story of my Grandparents and he was happy to come to the park & help renew there vows. We gave them a gift of a photo album of all the years they had been to gether. They are both gone to heaven now but we all still remember the love they shared for 68 years.
2007-04-06 02:49:42 · answer #5 · answered by Marcie D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well we did my mil's 25th in a firehouse hall. It was about three hundred and everyone from the family pictched in and brought food this way one person doesnt have all the responsiblities. Each person can picth in and by deco here and there and someone else handles the cake etc... yea stuff like that should not be at someone's house but it can be done just not appropriate i think. I hope that helps.
2007-04-06 01:09:16 · answer #6 · answered by shyhonney 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check into renting a church hall, they are usually reasonable or even a local historical site, or if you know someone who lives in an apartment complex they usually have access to a "clubhouse".
You could even go casual & rent a large shelter house at your state park or lake.
2007-04-06 00:49:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about the church hall where they were married?
Also instead of a meal just coffee and cake hour maybe redo their wedding cake? The church would have a large coffee maker and then you just have the cake purchase. Maybe do steamers in their wedding colors and balloons.
Good Luck
2007-04-06 00:44:34 · answer #8 · answered by winter wonderland 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any type of celebration is good. I'm sure they would be totally happy with everyone at a home.
2007-04-06 01:29:53 · answer #9 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Viagra!!!!!!
2007-04-06 00:50:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋