Experiencing 50 years of wedded bliss is the goal of every happily married couple — but it is rarely attained. In fact, statistics show less than 8% of marriages reach this milestone. That’s why a 50th wedding anniversary is such a monumental occasion that deserves a memorable celebration.
While most anniversaries are couple-centered affairs, a 50th anniversary, known as a “golden anniversary,” can be a time to celebrate on a larger scale. Many families take this opportunity to bring together children, grandchildren, and extended family to express gratitude, appreciation, and joy for the couple’s enduring love for each other.
If you’re planning such a golden wedding anniversary celebration, choosing the right theme can make the event even more magical. Here are six fabulous ideas to consider.
1. A golden anniversary gala
A classic choice for a 50th wedding anniversary is to lean fully into the “golden” theme. From gold table runners to hanging tinsel and gold fans, focus on all that glitters in gold. “I love the idea of playing up the number 50,” says Kelli Corn, a wedding and events planner in South Carolina. “Maybe an entry piece to the celebration [includes] 50 red roses or 50 stems of the bride’s favorite flower.” Decorate around a personalized “50th anniversary” photo banner, adorning it with big “5-0” balloons or lighted party numbers.
Give table settings a glam upgrade by spray painting a mixture of bottles and jars with gold paint and placing white flowers in them for inexpensive floral arrangements. Enhance the “golden vibes” with personalized tea lights and a sparkler send-off. Have the couple cut their anniversary cake with a gold hammered cake knife and server set and toast with a matching pair of champagne flutes — just like they did on their wedding day.
READ MORE: Milestone Wedding Anniversary Gifts By Year
2. Create your own Eras Tour
Take friends and family on a whirlwind recap of the past five decades, with the anniversary couple as the headlining stars. Set up different tables representing each decade of their marriage and decorate them with personal photos, music lyrics, and memorabilia from that era. Ask guests to share stories or memories in advance, and source photos from the couple’s friends and extended family to surprise them with a walk down memory lane.
“Photos are a great way to show the progression of the relationship,” Corn says. “Find a photo of the couple from each year, or create a timelapse of all the great life moments: the birth of children and grandchildren, reunions, weddings — things that highlight the life they have created together.”
Present a lasting keepsake to the couple with a personalized canvas print, detailing the many facets of the marriage’s milestones and special moments.
3. Golden globetrotting getaway
Is your special couple a pair of travelers? Then their adventures will make the perfect inspiration for a fun anniversary party theme.
Highlight the couple’s travels by creating several different “destinations” in your venue filled with their travel photos and decorated in the spirit of each country. Include food stations featuring cuisines from those places, and give out DIY “passports” for guests to collect stamps or fun facts about the couple’s journey from each station. Send guests home with personalized chocolate bars custom-wrapped with photos of the happy couple taken all over the world.
4. Bring their dream destination to the party
Maybe the honorees aren’t globe hoppers, but they’ve always dreamed of a trip to Paris, Hawaii, or Tuscany. If they aren’t up for the trip of a lifetime, you can still make their travel dreams come true with a destination-themed anniversary party.
Think tropical florals for Hawaii, romantic Eiffel Tower centerpieces for Paris, or rustic Italian touches, such as wine barrels and olive branches, for Tuscany. Guests can dress according to the destination, and you can create a special backdrop for keepsake photos. Gift the happy couple a gourmet basket themed to their dream destination, such as a gift of the flavors of Italy or France.
5. Recreate the wedding day
Who doesn’t love reminiscing about their wedding day? Bring the past back to life by using photos of the couple’s wedding to relive the magic of that day 50 years ago. Create a similar wedding cake, flowers, menu, and decor. You might even see if the original wedding venue is available to rent or if the couple can fit into their wedding day attire (if they still have it).
Request that guests dress in styles from that bygone era and play the greatest music hits of the period. Show off the then and now photos of the happy couple on their wedding day and today with a personalized double photo frame. Remind them of their special day with an oversized greeting card that recalls the top events, films, and other pop culture touchpoints of the time.
6. Golden garden party
For a more relaxed and intimate gathering, a golden garden party is ideal. Picture twinkling fairy lights, golden tableware, and lush floral arrangements in a backyard or park setting. Older friends might appreciate an early party versus one at night, so consider a lavish brunch celebration, which can be just as special as an evening affair. Say “Cheers to 50 Years” with custom bunting and photo banners, and serve brunch favorites like quiche, coffee cake, and spiral ham. Use potted plants for table decor, and give personalized plant markers with seed packets as favors to honor the couple that continues to grow together.
50th wedding anniversary gift ideas
4 tips for hosting a happy 50th anniversary party
1. Be multi-generational minded
A 50th anniversary party will likely bring together guests spanning generations. Consider including a kid-friendly play area for young children and activities to engage teens and younger guests. For older attendees, ensure easy accessibility with ramps, comfortable seating, and nearby restrooms. For a recent anniversary party, Corn put out elegant pashminas, which can be personalized for guests. Offer a variety of food and drink options that cater to all age groups and dietary needs.
2. Plan meaningful entertainment
Consider a slideshow or video montage of the couple’s life together, or arrange for a live performance of their wedding song. “I love having friends and family record a short video of their favorite memory or something they cherish about the couple and create a video montage during a celebration,” Corn adds. “The couple can watch it again and feel the love and connection to their family and friends.” Have close family members and friends give a heartfelt toast or speeches to create a more meaningful time. And for fun-loving couples, craft up a trivia game to see who knows the guests of honor best.
3. Capture the moments
Hire a photographer or set up a photo booth with props and backdrops to encourage guests to take pictures. Collect the captured memories and use a personalized anniversary album to give the couple a treasured keepsake.
4. Involve your guests
Encourage attendees to share their favorite memories of the couple aloud or write them on a card placed at their table. (For a special gift idea, use these cards to make a memorable scrapbook for the couple.) Before the event is over, have everyone sign an anniversary photo frame.
