Engagement and Anniversary parties can follow much the same format.  They are both celebrations of love between two people.  One couple is starting out on the journey and the other couple has already put in the hard yards and should be rewarded for their years of effort!

Engagement Parties

An engagement party is the perfect forum to introduce a future spouse to many people at the one time, especially in today’s global world where people are often separated by thousands of miles.  Engagement parties should be held shortly after the announcement, and many months prior to the wedding ceremony.  Etiquette demands that guests are invited to an engagement party.  Wotado.com.au lists many businesses that can create the perfect invitation.  Don’t invite people who are not expected to be invited to the wedding. Traditionally parents of the bride-to-be hosted the party, but now days it may be hosted by the intended couple – just as many weddings are.  An engagement party should not be bigger than the wedding.  So if you are planning a garden wedding on a budget, an opulent engagement party at the Ritz ballroom is probably not the way to go.  The party can be simple and relaxed with a barbeque or a cocktail party, or a black tie affair with a formal dinner.  Catering companies are capable enough to handle either level of grandeur you prefer.  Party hire businesses can transform any back yard into a desirable party locale.  Marquees, linen and furniture hire, flowers and lighting all work wonders. 

Once the ring is on the finger, make a guest list, decide on a date, set a budget and plan the engagement party.  Remember to delay the newspaper engagement announcement until after the party!

Anniversary Parties

There is a joke that says that all divorces are a result of marriage. Statistics show that almost 50% of marriages can end in divorce, so if you have made a milestone anniversary then celebrate it.  Generations ago anniversaries were really only celebrated when they got into the realms of 25 years and above.  Now when many marriages don’t last that long – a 5 or 10 year anniversary party is not uncommon.  It is now popular to incorporate milestone birthdays with an anniversary.  For example if you are turning 40 and you have been married for 10 years you may have a phantom 50th birthday/anniversary combo!

Like most parties, set a theme first and the other details will fall into line.  If you are having a 20th anniversary maybe have a 1920’s themed function, if it is a 10th anniversary guests can each bring a tin can as entry to the party (traditional gift tin/aluminum), or if it is a 30th anniversary the theme can be the ocean as its traditional gift is pearl. The party theme is only limited by your imagination. Party shops can expand on your theme with endless arrays of decorations and party favours.  Browse any of the Wotado.com.au businesses for inspiration.  Once you have a theme and date send out suitable invitations to compliment the occasion.  Then decide upon the location for the party.  If it is to be at your home, party hire companies will be needed to spruce up your back yard for the function.  You can hire everything from marquees, to linen and chairs, to cutlery, lighting, and so on.  Catering companies offer many different types of menu options, from afternoon teas, to cocktail canapés, to full three course meals.  Wait staff may also be needed.  Maybe entertainment will also be on your wish list.  Perhaps string quartets for the afternoon soiree, a comedian for the sit down meal, or a raunchy DJ for the more informal gathering.  Browse our online business catalogue for more party ideas.

It would be remiss not to mention the two most celebrated wedding anniversary types.  The Golden Anniversary is the most celebrated of wedding anniversaries.  A culmination of 50 years together with the one you love is a glowing commendation of married life.  Celebrating your 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends is the most common way to mark the special occasion.  Golden Anniversaries are all about Gold – the special colour is Gold and the Traditional & Modern gifts are Gold.  Gold decorations, centrepieces and balloons are an effective way of highlighting the significance of the occasion.  Having a picnic using gold coloured paper plates has the same effect on a smaller budget.  Although the flower symbolizing the Golden Anniversary is the Violet, there are numerous rose varieties which can be incorporated into the celebrations, for example Gold Symphony, Golden Anniversary, Golden Celebration, Golden Wedding, Golden Kiss etc.  Many couples use their 50th Wedding Anniversary as an occasion to renew their vows.  Marriage Celebrants are listed on the Wotado.com.au website.

When purchasing gifts to mark a Golden Anniversary steer clear of anniversary trinkets and mementoes as most people this age will be trying to de-clutter their home at this stage in their lives.  More appropriate ideas include tickets for movies, theatre, sporting events, or travel vouchers.  Maybe get together with family and organize a trip to the Gold coast.  Wrap gifts in gold paper of with gold ribbon.  If you are a little more a little more creative put together a CD with songs from their marriage era, organise a quilt made by each member of the family and close friends, write a poem in gold ink and display it in a gold frame.  An album made up of photos and letters, drawings and news articles of the anniversary couple and their families’ life over the last 50 years highlighting all major events is a wonderful memento. 

The tradition of celebrating a 60th Anniversary came into popularity after Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee as reigning monarch in 1900.  Diamond comes from the Greek word adamas which means enduring and unconquerable (very appropriate given the Queen’s reign).  Diamonds are also symbolic of the constant flame of love.  Once again, when purchasing a gift to mark a Diamond Jubilee, avoid anniversary plates and other ornaments.  Much better to arrange a dinner at a special venue for family and friends, and gifts can be used and enjoyed immediately such as tickets to shows, or holidays.  An album including many facets of the couple’s 60 years together is a charming way to mark the occasion.

Having a 60th, 65th or 70th wedding Anniversary entitles the happy couple to a telegram from the Queen.  Go to www.royal.gov.uk/output/page234.asp  In Australia the Governor General acknowledges wedding anniversaries from the 50th.  Roman Catholics are fortunate enough to get Papal blessings for 50th wedding anniversaries and beyond.

Anniversary gifts/themes guide