A golden wedding anniversary is a very special thing; 50 years of marriage love, friendship and patience. According to data, only 5-6% of couples get to celebrate this significant milestone, and they like to do so with extended family. If your 50th anniversary is coming up, or if you’re planning a special celebration for your parents or grandparents, it’s time to go big. Here are 12 ways to make it unforgettable.
1. Throw a Golden Anniversary Party
The long dining table sets the scene for celebrations at Boogie Barn
A party is the obvious thing to do, inviting all your family and friends. If you don’t fancy a big bash, go smaller scale with a garden party at home, take your nearest and dearest to a restaurant for dinner, or book a large group holiday house and have a few days away with them.
2. Stay in a Big Country House
A stay in a big country house is a great way to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary with extended family. Choose a house with features to suit all ages, celebrate your way with the people who mean the most to you.
Sleeps12 have large holiday houses in the UK, in the loveliest settings, with a very high level of cleanliness. With swimming pools, hot tubs, games rooms, movie rooms and play areas, these are child friendly and perfect for multi-generational stays. Most are dog friendly too, so you really can include the whole fam.
Look at Boogie Barn in Nottinghamshire - you can have a proper party here as the house has its own soundproof mini nightclub! Hire a DJ and dance the night away, play the couples favourite songs and their opening wedding dance.
3. Book a Private Chef for a Celebration Feast
Dine together, indoors or out, with space for up to 34 guests at Brix Barn
Sharing good food with good company is one of the best things in life, and an important part of any celebration. But why do the cooking yourself when you could have a professional chef doing it for you? Bespoke menus, all diets catered for, staff provided, all the clearing away done. All in the comfort of your own home or luxury group holiday house.
4. Have a Cake Made
No celebration is complete without a cake, so plan well in advance and have a professional baker create an amazing 50th wedding anniversary cake, iced and decorated exactly how you want it to be. If you’re staying in a Sleeps12 luxury holiday house for the celebrations, check out the Extras page of your chosen property and you’ll find suppliers who can do this.
5. Book an Experience for the Couple
Experiences make memories, especially if it’s something the anniversary couple would never get round to doing for themselves; maybe a balloon ride, a deep-sea fishing trip, a vineyard tour.
Sleeps12 work with trusted providers who can bring fun-filled experiences for all ages to your holiday home. Think clay pigeon shooting, archery, dance workshops, pottery painting, or a magic performance.
6. Have the House Decorated
Find local suppliers under the Extras link on each property page.
Hire local florists and suppliers to come and decorate your home or holiday house with beautiful floral arrangements and balloons. Make the backdrop to your 50th wedding anniversary perfect.
7. Hire Props
Push the boat out and hire props that add fun to your 50th wedding anniversary celebrations. Think of ways to include all generations – kids will love a sweet cart, a photo booth with all the crazy dressing up gear is a great idea for all ages.
8. Book a Professional Photographer
With Smart phones it’s so easy to take photos, but sometimes you want to enjoy the moment and be a part of it. Put your phones way and hire a professional photographer instead. They know all the tricks, all the best ways to capture those special moments.
9. Do a Slideshow or Photo Board of Memories
Put together a slideshow or photo board of the anniversary couple through the decades. Maybe start from before they met, with childhood photos; move on to their wedding, children, holidays, grandchildren – whatever you want to include. Just be warned – it could get quite emotional!
10. Have a Trivia Quiz About the Anniversary Couple
This puts all the focus on the golden couple, and it’s so much fun! Put together a list of questions about them for everyone to answer, don’t forget to include some obvious things the kids will know.
11. Have an Extended Family Movie Night
Your own private cinema at Kingshay Barton
Snuggle up with the people you love most in the world for a movie night, lights dimmed, snacks to hand. Start early to fit in 2 or 3 carefully chosen films that will appeal to all ages, and be sure to include the anniversary couple’s favourite.
Sleeps12 have big houses to rent with dedicated movie rooms and fully equipped cinema rooms (like your own mini-Odeon!). Check out Berry House in Devon and Kingshay Barton in Somerset.
12. Make Dinner Speeches
Speeches should be an essential part of the wedding anniversary celebrations, covering the magic of a marriage that’s so happy it’s lasted 50 years. Each decade can be covered by different members of the family, you can all help one another to write the speeches, and even include poems. Keep it short and raise a toast after each speech.
Key is to book early, but most of all to enjoy every single moment of your 50th wedding anniversary celebrations. Love those happy memories.