We just spent a wonderful weekend in LaGrange, Ga., celebrating Joe's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. The big event of the weekend was a plated dinner in honor of Betty and Louis at the country club. My sisters-in-law and I decorated for the event, and their wonderful ideas prove that you don't have to spend a fortune to make a celebration golden.
View 10 party ideas here. For more inspiration or information about planning an event in New York City, visit my sister-in-law Emily's company Event Management.
Let Them Eat Cake ...
Caramel cake is a Lester family favorite, so we found a local baker who made four of these decadent southern cakes. We positioned the cakes on a mirrored tray to mimic the lines of the original wedding cake. Then we embellished the cakes with fresh yellow roses and greenery picked up at the grocery store.
Light the Way ...
Guests who remember the Lesters' wedding 50 years ago joke about it being the hottest wedding of all time because they insisted on burning candles during the ceremony in an unair-conditioned church building on one of the hottest days of the summer. Although Saturday night's banquet hall was climate-controlled, no guest could miss the warm glow of all our candles. Candles topped tables and lined window sills. Candles were a more economical choice than flower arrangements, and we collected an interesting variety of candlesticks by borrowing them from family and friends.
Style Lift from a Layover ...
White tablecloths and chair covers were included in our rental of the event space, but my sister-in-law suggested we use organza overlays to add warmth to the room. Ordered online, these polyester overlays added big impact for little cost. And they will come in handy for other occasions, as well.
Picture Us in the Golden Days ...
Party guests enjoyed seeing Betty and Louis' wedding photos displayed prominently throughout the space. My sister-in-law had a few pictures scanned at Staples. Several filled inexpensive gold frames. Placed on food tables, these photos added a personal touch to the celebration. A poster-size printout mounted on foam board made a big impact displayed at the banquet hall entrance. And guests enjoyed flipping through the original wedding photos, which I transferred to a new album before the party.
Do Me a Favor ...
Gold foil-wrapped chocolates added sparkle to the table dropped into cellophane bags and sealed with a personalized gold sticker.
Swing from the Chandeliers ...
Hanging from the chandeliers, wreaths trimmed in gold and white drew the eye up.
Send a Letter ...
I loved this idea for weddings or anniversary parties. Shannon re-purposed Pottery Barn letters from her son's room, spray-painting them gold for the occasion. She then wrapped a wreath hanger in white tulle and attached the letter with a bow. The hanging tulle looked almost like a wedding veil.
Remember the Golden Ties That Bind ...
Ribbons tied to candlesticks and draped around the photos and cake added a festive touch to the decor. And tulle swagged across the ceiling and accenting the doors gave the space an ethereal quality.
Don't Forget the Little People ...
With seven grandchildren ages 3 to 10 attending the nearly three-hour party, we did our best to keep our youngest guests entertained. Several fun surprises made the kids table the place to be -- ramekins of Goldfish for snacking; notepads and crayons for doodling; and little Lego sets wrapped to remind the children that families are built with love.
Walk Down Memory Lane ...
Our celebration was bursting with nostalgia. Joe's sister, Emily, entertained us with songs that shared the Lesters' history. Joe and brother, Howard, offered prayers and funny stories. Other guests shared their memories, and the Lesters introduced all the guests at the dinner before cutting the anniversary cake. The culmination of the evening's events was watching a DVD presentation of favorite family moments.
A Golden Evening for All ...
After the party, I told Joe that guests were welcomed into his family for the evening. This anniversary celebration offered a wealth of creative ideas. But mostly it reminded us all that after 50 years, the true treasure is family; the best gifts are sweet memories; and the love that binds us is golden.
Photos by Nathan Prichard
