Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Photographs of the couple starting at their wedding day and through the present
- Party invitations
- Table linens
- Cake
- Food
- Party favors
- Note cards
- Copy of the couple's marriage license
- Chairs
- Place to have the event
- Drinks
- Champagne flutes
Step1
Start by choosing a date for the event. While having the event on the couple's actual anniversary is always an obvious choice, remember that you want the happy couple to be able to celebrate this event with as many friends and family members as possible. So, if the event is planned for a weeknight, families with children and those who have to be at work early the next morning may be unwilling to attend. Planning the event for a Friday night, anytime Saturday or on a Sunday afternoon would probably mean more well-wishers.
Step2
Make up a guest list. Invite friends of the couple, both old and new. If the couple still lives in the town where they got married or still attends the same church they got married in, attempt to find the minister who officiated the service and send him/her a special invitation. Be sure to invite members of the couple's wedding party as well. Consider having one suprise guest, for example a friend the couple hasn't seen in a long time.
Step3
Decide how formal you want the event to be. Do you want to have a fancy sit-down dinner dance with a live band or a casual gathering at a local restaurant? Remember, the more formal the event the more money it's likely going to cost to put on. If you have your heart set on a formal event, but don't have the budget to pay for everything yourself enlist the help of other family members who love the couple. For a more casual event, consider a Sunday afternoon tea at someone's home or a pool side barbecue. The menu you serve will be determined by how formal your event is. For a formal event, consider hiring a caterer. For an informal event, ask guests to bring favorite dishes or have a cook out.
Step4
Gather photos of the couple starting from their wedding day, and ask family members and friends for their favorite photos of the couple For a more formal event frame the pictures individually and use them as part of the table centerpeices. For a casual event consider creating a collage in a poster frame and putting it on an easel near the entrance of the venue. Also frame a copy of the couple's marriage license. Near the easel have a table with note cards and pens for guests to take and write well-wishes on. The notes can be deposited in a decorated box when they leave.
Step5
Have a photographer on hand to take a formal picture of the couple at the party. This will be a nice way to remember the event. The photographer doesn't have to be a pro, just someone with a good eye. If the photographer is not a professional be sure to ask them to take lots of pictures. This will increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.
Step6
Celebrate the couple's longevity by having their children or friends make speeches or toasts. Suitable topics would be things they have learned from the couple, or things they admire most about the couple. Anecdotes and funny stories are always crowd pleasers and bring guests together. Be sure to have several people prepare ahead of time so there's no pressure about being the first to step up and say something.
Novice 
