(This blogpost is written by guest writer Wendy Dessler, associated with Honeyfund.com.)
Your parents mean so much to you. They are always supportive and loving. You know how hard they worked to give you everything you needed. Maybe they even gave you your dream wedding. Now you (and your siblings) want to return the favor. Their anniversary is coming up and you want to celebrate in style. This will surely be the anniversary of their dreams. We have a few ideas to help you get started.
Before we begin, let’s talk about finances. Weddings and celebrations like you are planning are not inexpensive. But do not give up and walk away without considering the following ideas:
- Create a Honeyfund account
- This is a free account set up for just these types of celebrations. There is no charge to set-up or use the account, A Honeyfund account allows your family and friends to pull up your online account and see what you have planned and how much you expect it to cost. They will see what has been paid for, and what has not, and what is partially paid. They can choose any of the items and pay for it online with a credit card. You are notified of their gift so they can be properly thanked. Honeyfund can be used for the cost of the venue, travel, reception, or an item of their choosing.
- Create a Plumfund Account
- Plumfund is another free Crowdfunding site and like Honeyfund it is free to create and use. Some people opt to use a Plumfund account because the celebration is for an anniversary and Honeyfund is so well associated with weddings. Either one will be fine to allow friends, family, co-workers, and others to help finance the dream.
Anniversary Ideas
- Destination wedding
- While this is an anniversary celebration, you are celebrating the wedding day of this couple. Plan a renewal of vows at a lovely venue. It can be near your home, or across the country, or the islands, or New York City. But choose a destination that they will enjoy and that will bring wonder to their eyes. Hire a wedding planner and take care of the details, like a beautiful dress for the “bride. Make sure you hire a photographer to capture their evening.
- Recreate the reception
- Find out what was served at the wedding and recreate the menu for their anniversary meal. Use a caterer to ensure the food is the best. (Better than the first time around is good too.)
- Memory Walk
- This may take some effort. Speak to members of your family and old friends of your parents. Collect photographs of them in the various stages of their life together. Get pictures of when they were pregnant, vacationing in the 1960’s and pictures with people who are no longer around. Have some of the photographs blown up and hang them on a memory wall. Set-up a table below with a lovely journal so their guests can share memories and write blessings to them. Present them with the journal at the end of the evening.
- The funny gift
Chances are, there are family stories of anniversary gifts or celebrations that did not go over well. Try to get a gift like that one. If your father gave your mother a can opener for her 1st anniversary. Get her one to open at the party. The couple will get a great laugh. If they gifted themselves with a trip to the beach and it rained all week, gift them with rain gear and tickets to the beach. Get creative and have fun.
Make your celebration, elegant and chic, but do not be afraid to laugh (and cry). Celebrate them and their wonderful union as man and wife, in a way that only you can.
Author Bio
Wendy Dessler
Wendy is a super-connector with Outreachmama who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.