There’s no time like a wedding anniversary for grand declarations of love and sentimental gestures of affection. Every married couple knows that this day marks a special milestone in their relationship. It’s an occasion to celebrate another year of togetherness, commitment, and happiness. No matter how long you’ve been married, celebrating your anniversary in style keeps your relationship exciting, from the honeymooners’ romantic first anniversary to the ceremonial silver jubilee of a long-married couple.
Don’t let your anniversary sneak up on you this year. Take note of the date and start planning the event in advance. Send out wedding anniversary invitations and book your venue, so that when the special day arrives, all you have to focus on is your loving partner.
Make Your Anniversary a Celebration To Remember
While every anniversary is special, the longer a couple has been together, the more significant they become. According to data from the National Centre for Family & Marriage Research (NCFMR), only 8% of marriages in the US reach their 50th anniversary! Every year together is worth celebrating, so here’s how to do it right.
Plan for the Occasion
Depending on how long you have been with your partner, your vision for your anniversary celebrations will likely change. There are multiple scenarios for anniversary parties, including:
10th Anniversary: The Tin Jubilee marks your first decade of togetherness.
25th Anniversary: The Silver Jubilee is a major occasion for any married couple.
50th Anniversary: The Gold Jubilee is a rare milestone that should be celebrated with friends and family.
Couples closer to their 10th anniversary might want to plan an intimate getaway. Older couples nearing their silver jubilee might want to revisit their love story by waxing nostalgic and gathering close friends. By the time you reach your gold jubilee, your anniversary will probably be a family function, with multiple generations coming together to toast your union. Each kind of celebration will require different levels of planning.
Choose a Theme
How you plan your anniversary party will also depend on the theme. Is it romantic or fun? Will it be indoor or outdoor? Are you planning dinner for two or a lavish feast for a crowd? All these decisions play a part in determining the overall theme of your anniversary party.
1. Outdoor Party Ideas
Hosting an outdoor gathering is a great option when you’ve got a large group of guests at your party. You could invite them to:
- A BBQ cookout
- A scavenger hunt
- A day at the beach
If you prefer enjoying the beautiful outdoors with just your partner for company, take a scenic hike followed by a picnic with a view.
2. Romantic Anniversary Ideas
On some anniversaries, you just want to spend time with the person you love instead of hosting an elaborate affair. Those simple celebrations can be some of the most unforgettable anniversaries. Make them more special by planning:
- Candlelit dinners
- Couples spa sessions
- Recreating your first few dates
Even if you want to bring other guests in to celebrate, you can always keep it classy and elegant by putting together a soiree with wine and charcuterie boards.
3. Exciting Party Ideas
Your anniversary marks your relationship becoming one year older, but your spirit can stay forever young. Mix things up for your anniversary party guests with offbeat themes like:
- Karaoke night (bonus points for singing songs that mean something to the couple!)
- Adventure sports like kayaking or bungee jumping
- Throwback theme parties based on the year the couple got together
The beautiful thing about anniversaries is that they keep coming, so you can always keep things fresh and interesting with different themes.
Invite Your Guests
Anniversaries are all about the couple, but they should also celebrate the people who helped bring them together. You don’t want to miss out on inviting someone important to your anniversary, so it’s important to make a guest list and go over it with your partner.
Before your party, you can send out email invitations in bulk using online services like PosterMyWall. The site has thousands of wedding anniversary invitation templates to help you design an eye-catching card. Let your family and friends know how much you appreciate them by inviting them to join your special day.
Organize Entertainment
Your anniversary guests are there to celebrate your marriage and have fun! Here are some fun games you can play at your party:
- The Newlyweds Game: The couple answers questions that reveal how well they know each other.
- Date Night Jar: Each guest writes a suggestion for a date the couple must go on before the next anniversary.
- Wedding Vow Reenactments: A sentimental favorite!
Make New Memories While Going Down Memory Lane
With all this preparation, the most important tip is to remember to have fun! Once you’ve chosen the perfect wedding anniversary invitation template and picked a theme, all that’s left is to bask in the glow of your love story.
