My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. I wanted to share some of the decorating ideas I had for our party. These are affordable, stylish ideas that are sure to please any crowd. Our guests really enjoyed the decor and commented on it in the positive. Of course, these ideas can transfer to just about any event, including showers, garden parties, weddings and other celebrations.
The invitations
I am old fashioned in some ways. I write actual letters that require a stamp and have to be walked to a mailbox, for instance. So, for this party I wanted to mail proper invitations to all of our guests. No emails or texts for this event. At the dollar store I found a wedding invitation set embossed with a silver design. The set included invitations with silver lined envelopes, programs, place cards etc. This entire set was only $3 and I was very impressed with the quality of the paper. I printed each invitation on my computer in a light grey (silvery) font. I used the programs to print photos of us over the years, which went on each dinner table. If you don't find what you're looking for at the dollar store consider checking at the thrift store. I always come across unopened packages of party invites for various events. People often buy more than they need and end up donating new packages to the thrift store.
The tables
Setting the tables is key. If you are using a large rented room you'll want the tables to be dressed in a similar fashion to provide an elegant feeling. I used inexpensive round plastic tablecloths purchased from a dollar store. Although they weren't terribly heavy, once all of the tables were draped they did the trick. If you're entertaining a smaller affair at home, use linen cloths if you have them and they fit the event.
For centerpieces I collected 25th anniversary dishes from the thrift store for a few months prior to the party. I used 25th anniversary teacups and saucers and 25th anniversary wine glasses as centerpieces with a tea light inside each one. I placed these centerpieces on a silver disc, which were actually take-out food lids! (Anything silver that caught my eye was fair game.) Around some of the centerpieces I draped vintage silver necklaces, which I also found at the thrift store for a few dollars.
For a wedding or baby shower, you could use regular vintage, matching teacups and saucers in a mix of patterns and styles, just like they do at a teahouse. Place a fresh carnation in each teacup or use candles as I did. Set a paper doily under each centerpiece for added elegance. I happened to find a few bags of silver, star-shaped confetti at the thrift store, which I also strew around some of the centerpieces.
Another fun idea is to use large mason jars filled with water and pussy willow branches or other twigs from outside. Mason jars can be found in abundance at the thrift store and you don't have to worry about needing lids. Use food colouring in the water if you have a specific colour scheme in mind.
For our party I bought a leftover roll of silver foil wrap at the thrift store and used it to drape the guest book table. In the centre of this table I placed a large ceramic Hershey Kiss shaped dish that I bought at an antique shop for ten bucks and filled it with silver Hershey's Kisses. Finding that dish was a happy accident but I could have put the kisses in a silver bowl as well. In place of the Hershey tag at the top of the ceramic dish, which was missing, I made a banner that said "25 years". The dish sat on a silver tray that I got-you guessed it-at the thrift store.
We had a light lunch including punch served in a punch bowl from the thrift store. At the dollar store I purchased a plastic, silver ladle for the punch bowl. I found silver accented paper plates, cups and napkins at the dollar store that went with the theme. We had coffee and tea and I just happened to find a creamer, sugar bowl and tray set with a 25th anniversary emblem on it at the thrift store to use for the hot beverage service. Sugar cubes with silver tongs from the dollar store finished the look.
At the thrift store I also bought 25th anniversary silver balloons (new), a seven foot silver anniversary banner (new) to help decorate the venue.
All in all I might have spent $30 - $40 on all of these items. I donated the dishes back to the thrift store once the party was over in the hopes someone else can use them for their big event.
Entertaining friends and family can be an enjoyable endeavor. Plan ahead and start gathering items that work within your theme or party decor. You'd be surprised what you can find once you have an idea in mind. All of your efforts will pay off in the end.
Connieoliver2015@gmail.com
