Planning a 50th Anniversary Party on a Budget

Let me just start out by saying that if you are a full-time professional party planner it’s not uncommon to singlehandedly plan and execute a budget themed party occurring four states away. Planning a 50th Anniversary Party on a Budget.

However, I am not a full-time professional party planner. I am a part-time interior designer, full-time college student, wife, mother, dog walker, chief cook, and bottle washer. But I was able to execute this celebration to the great happiness of my client and her family and they have graciously allowed me to share the event.

Planning a 50th Anniversary Party on a Budget

The party was a 50th-anniversary celebration for her parents and 100 of their closest friends and family.  For inspiration, I asked the golden bride to send me some images of the 1966 wedding for inspiration.

It was a happy bit of luck that the bride and groom’s original wedding colors were turquoise and golden yellow given that the traditional theme of a 50th celebration is a “golden anniversary”. The golden bride still adores turquoise so our color palette was selected.

I sent a few inspirational photos to the client and her mother to get an idea of what style of a party was desired.

Based on likes and dislikes for centerpieces, I gathered various flowers such as blue hydrangeas, golden sunflowers, white alstroemeria and purple status to create four different floral arrangements for the clients to choose from.

Those who follow me on Instagram know that this centerpiece was selected as the winner. 

I then offered a variety of complete centerpiece looks based on this image that was also well liked.

The favorite look was the centerpiece on a wood slice, complete with a gold framed wedding photo and a votive candle.

Table Decor

Then there were discussions about the tablecloth itself.

Plain white linen.

With a burlap runner.

My favorite look was a vintage sheet of golden roses.

In the end, based on the client budget for eight round tables, we eliminated the pricey wood rounds and went with an aqua table covering from the party store. Actual candles were not allowed at the rented facility so LED candles were used.

Photo Backdrop

In the above photo, you can faintly see the rock fireplace in the background. I created a wedding banner for decoration as this was to be the backdrop for group photos.

Here are close-ups of each section of the banner.

For low-cost parties, paper and pictures are your friends in helping to set a theme and mood. Enlarging and printing out wedding photos is an inexpensive way to decorate walls and entries for an anniversary celebration.

Candy Bar

We also talked about the pros and cons regarding sweet stations and party favors. Again, inspirational images were collected and viewed.

The golden bride wanted mints and butterscotch candies as it is a favorite of her father and the groom.

Making party favors is always best done ahead as they can take quite a bit of time.

The treats were lovingly created in my kitchen then carefully boxed up with layers of bubble wrap and tissue then mailed to Minnesota where the party was held.

We had a separate seating area for the children. The eight tables each had a mini floral arrangement, votive and a bowl of crayons. Coloring pages were created from the original wedding photos.

The placemats were a big hit with the kids!

Everyone attending had a grand time.

Luncheon Ideas

A light luncheon was served. Simple white paper plates and napkin-wrapped cutlery tied with a turquoise bow was the perfect and frugal choice for such a large crowd.

Lunch was followed by the cutting of the anniversary cake. The golden groom wanted chocolate and it was delicious!

The gathering turned out exactly how the happy couple had envisioned their special day.

Members of the original wedding party and special guests each went home with a floral centerpiece.

Golden dreams,

Laura