How to Create a Memorable Anniversary Dinner

A wedding anniversary should always be remembered, no matter which one it is. One great way to do that is with an anniversary dinner. There is, however, no need to get in a rut with an anniversary celebration. Each one should be special and filled with fun and new memories for your future life together. That doesn't mean that a memorable anniversary has to cost a lot of money. All it really takes is a bit of creativity.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine when the anniversary dinner will be held. It may not, for various reasons, be possible to hold the dinner on the day of the actual anniversary. That's okay as long as your significant other knows in advance that you haven't forgotten the important day. If you want to surprise her, do something simple on the anniversary and hold the dinner party as an extra surprise.

2. Select a location. If it is to be a surprise event, then you might not plan to hold it in your own home. Other options include the home of a friend, a favorite local restaurant (maybe where you had your first date), or some other central location that rents out for parties and dinners.

3. Decide who will be invited. It might be a private dinner with your beloved or reserved just for family members. However, it can also be fun to invite friends. A lot will depend upon what you want to accomplish with the celebration, which anniversary it might be, your significant other's preferences, and of course the budget.

4. Consider a theme. If it is a private dinner then chances are that you won't want a specific theme other than romance in general. However, if it is a special anniversary like the 25th (silver) or 50th (gold), then you might want to center the theme around that. If it is to be a big, all out bash, then choose a fun theme like a Wine and Cheese Party, Red Carpet Glamour, a Beach Party or something that is particularly memorable for your spouse. Be creative. If you want your spouse to feel very special, go all out for the event; Cinderella (or Prince Charming) style.If you plan to have decorations for the celebration, they should match the theme. However, keep in mind that decorations aren't always necessary and never need to be over done. Sometimes less is better and simple is more elegant. Also keep the budget in mind as you plan the theme and the decor.

5. Decide what you want to serve. This may depend upon where the event is being held. If you are holding it at a restaurant, then your choices will, of course, be limited to the facility's menu. If you are having it catered somewhere, then menu choices may be limited by the caterer chosen. If family and friends are helping with the food, then you will have to plan out a menu that they can choose dishes from. If you are doing the whole thing yourself, then you can tailor the menu exactly the way you want it.The menu for an anniversary dinner doesn't have to be elaborate. For example, if your spouse loves hamburgers and hotdogs, then perhaps a barbecue grill is the perfect setting for him. Or, if your significant other is sentimental, plan the menu around your first meal together, recreating a memorable night in your spouse's life. The food isn't really the issue or the focus. It's about creating memorable memories. Be sure to always keep the budget in mind.

6. Choose what types of drinks you want to serve; alcoholic or non-alcoholic. If you decide to serve mixed drinks, then determine if you will provide all of the alcohol yourself or ask your guests to provide their own preferred liquor while you supply the mixes. If you opt to keep the drinks to wine and beer, decide if you will provide that or, once again, ask guests to bring their own. The option is yours but make sure that your guests understand what the parameters are going to be.

7. Arrange to have all of the dishes, glasses, and serving pieces on hand that you will require for the dinner. This won't likely be a problem if you are planning something small in your own home. However, it could be a problem if you are holding the dinner someplace else like a friend or family member's home or another facility. In those instances you have to work with what they have on hand and what you can get to supplement it. Caterers often have their own dishes and serving items. Make your arrangements accordingly.

8. Consider if you want to send out invitations or make personal calls to invite guests to the dinner (assuming you have decided upon guests). If you decide to use invitations, you can purchase stock ones from local gift, card, party, or discount department stores. If you are a whiz on the computer you might opt to make your own and personalize each one to the guest in question. If you are really creative, you might even decide to make invitations from scratch. A lot of that will depend upon the type of celebration you have settled on and, of course, the budget.Don't forget to put an R.S.V.P. date on the invitations that will give you enough time to plan for the amount of food needed to feed all of your guests. Also, if you want guests to bring their own bottle, be sure to state that. Also let them know the "style" of the dinner; whether it is casual, formal or costume. And if you don't expect or want guests to bring gifts, be sure that you let them know that as well.If your guests are also bringing a "pot luck" style dish for the menu, be sure to coordinate all of the dishes so that you don't end up with 5 tuna casseroles and no vegetables or bread.

9. Arrange to decorate the day of the event. If you are doing it at home, then you have total control over when and how you decorate. If you are holding it at a family member's or friend's house, however, you will need to work around her preferences and schedule. This is also true if you are holding the dinner at a local restaurant or other facility. Keep it simple and elegant unless the theme is something fanciful or unusual. If that is the case, then go all out to make the event sparkle and shine. For example, if you are planning a red carpet dinner, arrange for a red carpet to be put in front of the facility. Get some friends or family members to play photographers and snap shots of all of the guests as they arrive. Of course, spend extra spotlight attention on the guest of honor. If possible, get someone to interview the guests as they arrive and record their feelings and memories about the anniversary couple. Be creative while keeping the costs to a minimum.

10. Decide if you want to provide flowers or gifts for your anniversary partner. These are not always necessary and may be dependent upon the budget, the anniversary in question, and other factors. However, if you opt to provide these, make sure they are pre-planned and taken care of before the day of the event.

11. Arrange for photographs and/or film to be taken of the event so that the memories are captured for all time. You may also want to incorporate music someway into the dinner. This can be done simply or more elaborately depending upon your event. While bands or orchestras can be quite expensive, DJs can often be affordable. Better yet, perhaps you have a friend that can handle the music for you or, if the event is in a restaurant, simply have it piped in.

12. Take care of or arrange for clean-up to be taken care of after the dinner is over. The last thing you want to leave behind for your anniversary partner is a mess that she must clean up.

Tips & Warnings

• Involve family members and friends to help plan if you need the assistance or simply want another perspective.
• Don't plan a celebration that you would like, but that your anniversary partner will likely hate.
• Don't invite family members or friends that your significant other doesn't like or get along with.
• Don't break the bank with the dinner because that will ruin the overall effect.