How to Plan an Anniversary Party

Co-authored by Natasha Miller

Last Updated: December 4, 2022 References Approved

Anniversaries are important occasions to celebrate and are sometimes celebrated with a party. If you responsible for planning an anniversary party, here are some steps you can follow whether it's a first anniversary, diamond anniversary, gold anniversary or the commemoration of any other occasion.

Part 1

Part 1 of 6:

Choose a Date and Time

1
Select a date to hold the anniversary party. You will want to confer with the couple to determine a date that is good for them. It is also a good idea to consider events that may be going on in your community when choosing a date. ^{[1]
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2
Figure out the best time for the party. Consider the age of the couple and the age of the guests when deciding on a time. If the party is for an aged couple, you may want to set the time before dark.

Part 2

Part 2 of 6:

Decide on Location

1
Pick a place to host the anniversary party. You may choose to host the party in your home. Some people have nice halls available at their churches for hosting parties. You may want to rent a room from a local community center or conference center. You might even consider hosting the party in an outdoor setting.^{[2]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 6:

Purchase and Send Invitations

1
Create a guest list for your party. Consult with the anniversary couple about who they would like to attend. Consult with any family members about the guests that should be invited. You may need to limit the number of people that are invited because of space or financing.
2
Purchase invitations. You can order preprinted invitations online. You can hand write the information on standard invitations that you purchase from a local store. Decide if you want your invitations to include an RSVP card, so you will have a better idea of how many guests will attend.
3
Include important information in your invitations. The name of the anniversary couple and the number of years they are celebrating should be included. You will need to include the date and time. You will need to state the location of the event, and possibly the directions for how to find the place of the event. If you do not want the guests to bring gifts, include a note about no gifts in the invitations.
4
Mail the invitations about 2 weeks in advance. This will give your guests time to mark the date on their calendars.

Part 4

Part 4 of 6:

Plan for Food and Drink

1
Decide what type of food and drink you are going to serve. You may want to hire a catering service to prepare the food for you. Whether you prepare the food yourself, or hire someone, you will still need to decide on a menu.
- Be careful serving 2 versions of the same dish, like a traditional main course and a vegan variation. These are pretty easy to mix up, and it could be very bad if a guest eats the wrong dish by mistake.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Natasha Miller
  Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions
  Expert Interview. 20 April 2021.}
2
Order a cake. Most anniversary parties do include a special cake. You can order the cake a few weeks before the party and then pick it up the day of the party. You may want to order the cake from a bakery or a deli at a grocery store. There are also people who make cakes for special occasions in their home.^{[4]
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Part 5

Part 5 of 6:

Choose Decorations

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Buy the decorations for the party ahead of time. You may want to keep things simple with table cloths and flowers, or you may choose to be more elaborate by creating a themed party. You also have the option of hiring someone to do the decorating for you.^{[5]
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2
Plan to allow time to get the decorations in place well ahead of the party time. The amount of time you need will depend on your decorations. Decide if you will set up tables and chairs and how these will be arranged.^{[6]
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Part 6

Part 6 of 6:

Bring a Camera

1
Take lots of pictures. Be sure to have your camera ready with batteries charged. You may even want to hire a professional photographer.^{[7]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What do you serve at an anniversary party?

Natasha Miller
Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions
Natasha Miller is an Event Planner, Chief Experience Designer, and President of Entire Productions, an event and entertainment production company based in San Francisco, California. Notable clients Natasha has collaborated with include Apple, Google, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Salesforce. Natasha and Entire Productions has been awarded Inc. 5,000's "Fastest Growing Companies in America", Entrepreneur Magazine's 360 List of "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." Entire Productions is also a Certified Women Business Enterprise. Natasha is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Natasha Miller

Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions

Expert Answer

Consider both your guest list and your menu when planning an anniversary party. Try to include options that everyone can eat, including people on special diets.
Question

What food should I serve at an anniversary party?

Natasha Miller
Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions
Natasha Miller is an Event Planner, Chief Experience Designer, and President of Entire Productions, an event and entertainment production company based in San Francisco, California. Notable clients Natasha has collaborated with include Apple, Google, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Salesforce. Natasha and Entire Productions has been awarded Inc. 5,000's "Fastest Growing Companies in America", Entrepreneur Magazine's 360 List of "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." Entire Productions is also a Certified Women Business Enterprise. Natasha is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Natasha Miller

Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions

Expert Answer

Plan a menu that meets all your guests' dietary needs. For instance, if one attendee is vegan and another has celiac disease, you'll want to make sure that they're taken care of.
Question

How do you plan an anniversary party for your parents?

Natasha Miller
Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions
Natasha Miller is an Event Planner, Chief Experience Designer, and President of Entire Productions, an event and entertainment production company based in San Francisco, California. Notable clients Natasha has collaborated with include Apple, Google, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Salesforce. Natasha and Entire Productions has been awarded Inc. 5,000's "Fastest Growing Companies in America", Entrepreneur Magazine's 360 List of "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." Entire Productions is also a Certified Women Business Enterprise. Natasha is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Natasha Miller

Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions

Expert Answer

Keep your location in mind when planning the menu. You'll have to be mindful of certain food allowances, like dietary restrictions. For instance, in the United States, it's a lot easier to plan gluten-free and vegan options if you live on the coast. However, this type of menu planning may be trickier in Middle America.