Unique 50th Wedding Anniversary Ideas

by Ellen Dowling

Overview

Many couples choose to celebrate their 50th anniversary by going on a cruise (with or without others); many families choose to throw the couple a lavish party at a restaurant or other public venue. But there's no need to stop here---if you think creatively, you can devise a celebration that will be unique. Just remember to select an event that will relate to something the happy couple is involved in or fascinated by.
Give Them a Sporting Event

If the celebrating couple is enthusiastic about sports, design an anniversary party structured around their favorite physical pastime. For example, for a couple who loves to play golf, you could contact their favorite club and see about hosting a tournament just for them and invited guests. (Most golf clubs are happy to schedule such private events, for charity organizations or private parties.) You can structure the tournament as a 9-hole event, with perhaps "goofy" rules on several of the holes (like having to drive left-handed on a certain hole, or putt through a cracked toilet seat). You can also award prizes for certain shots (closest to the tee, longest drive). Another neat touch would be to have a large banner made up that would say, "[Name of Couple] 50th Anniversary Invitational (date)." Other ideas: a tennis tournament anniversary party, or a deep-sea fishing competition, or a "Square Dancing with the Stars" motif.

50th anniversary golf tournament

Produce a "This is Your Life" Show

In the 1950s, Ralph Edwards produced "This is Your Life," a popular show where guests were surprised when Edwards read the story of their life and introduced friends and relatives they had not seen for many years. For a 50th anniversary, you could easily put together such a narrative (maybe with a video presentation, too, of old pictures and converted films). It would also be quite thrilling if you could find someone who had once been near and dear to the couple and secretly bring them to the celebration. Another idea would be to contact people from the couple's past who could not attend the party, and ask them to write (or send videos of) their reminiscences.
Show Them You Care, Too

For a couple who is dedicated to helping others in their community, what better way to celebrate their golden anniversary than with a volunteering event. Arrange for all the participants to meet at a local food bank, for example, and spend a couple of hours helping out "in the name of [couple]." Or take over a local public library and offer a "Reading Hour in Honor of [name of couple]". Include readings by guests from books most loved by the couple, or a children's book reading for guests and children from the community. Spread the couple's joy beyond the circle of family and friends.