Wedding Anniversary Party Decorations-Easy Elegance For Less

Wedding Anniversary Party Decorations: Easy Elegance for Less

Set the tone for the wedding anniversary party with carefully chosen decorations that enhance the special celebration and make guest feel welcome - all without breaking your budget.

How do you turn a plain old room, hall or gymnasium into a special place that's suitable for celebrating a special anniversary? The answer lies with decorations. But where do you begin, especially if you are working with a small budget? The tips below will give you ideas for making the most of your decorating budget.

Determine the Nature of the Party
The location, time of day and time of year can help determine the theme of the anniversary party. Is it an informal celebration? Will it be indoors or out? Or is it a formal affair? Or maybe it's a milestone anniversary such as a 25th or 50th. These factors will help determine the kind and amount of decorations you'll need. For example, if you're having the party in the fall, you can use autumn foliage as part of your decorations. If it's a 50th wedding anniversary, be sure to use lots of gold decorations (streamers, ribbons, confetti, etc.) to mark the golden occasion.

Less is More (and quite beautiful)
Never underestimate the power of simple decorations. When in doubt, choose a few key pieces to set the mood rather than a a hodgepodge of unrelated items. Floating candles on mirrored tiles make beautiful centerpieces - they're simple, beautiful, easy to make and very cost effective. You can also make romantic decorations using tulle or four-inch ribbon. Remember - your guests will be more focused on celebrating with the anniversary couple than on the decorations.

Shop Creatively
Look beyond the usual flowers and balloons for your decorations (but don't be afraid to use them, too). With strands of lights, tulle, candles, and some imagination you can create a unique and beautiful look for very little money. The key is to shop creatively. Watch for clearance sales of seasonal merchandise (great for lights, candles and faux flowers) and also be sure to scour dollar-type stores, thrift stores and garage sales. Other people who have had anniversary parties (or even weddings) usually have loads of decorations they're willing to part with for very little money.

Enlist Help
Choose decorations that are easy and quick to make, and don't be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. You have lots of details to attend to, and you don't have to do it all yourself. You can even turn your decoration-making session into a fun evening for the girls.

Quick ideas
Borrow these simple ideas or use them as inspiration for your own unique decorations:

• Crisscross four-inch ribbons over a table so that they meet in the middle. Place a candle or floating flower at the center and sprinkle confetti or curled ribbon around it.

• Use candy dishes or nut dishes as centerpieces. Your guests will love the little goodies and will think you're incredibly thoughtful.

• In wine glasses, add marbles or colored stones to the bottom, fill with colored water (just use food coloring) and then add a floating candle or flower head.

• Make balloon bouquets and anchor them with small bags filled with sand or candy.

• Use silver (25th anniversary) or gold (50th anninversary) pens to create place cards on doilies or elegant paper, to make banners or for guests to use to fill out a memory book. In fact, these pens can be used for a variety of things, and they add understated elegance.

• Make copies of photos of the anniversary couple, both alone and with family and friends, and use those as nostalgic decorations on the tables and walls.

With a little resourcefulness and creativity, you can have beautiful anniversary party decorations that help complete the look of your special day without breaking your budget.