Anniversary Program Ideas

If you are designing a program for a 50th wedding anniversary (or any anniversary milestone) you may be at a loss as to what to include. Here are a few ideas on information that guests will look for in an anniversary program.

cover with a picture of the anniversary couple, maybe include 2 for a "then and now"
date and year of actual wedding with location
a list of everyone who was in the wedding party with an * for people in attendance at your party
a short paragraph on their honeymoon if any
a timeline of important things that happened (e.g., little Johnny was born in 1968)…
possibly mention the traditions for the year that’s being celebrated, ie:

50th Anniversary Traditional Gift: Gold. 50th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift: Gold. 50th Anniversary Gemstone: Gold or Imperial or Golden Topaz. Optimism and wealth are often associated with gold. Not only is the metal gold beautiful, it is strong, and resistant to corrosion. 50th Anniversary Color: Gold.

thanks from the happy couple to the guests
list of guests giving toasts or speeches, include mention or their relationship to the couple
a quote or saying is a nice touch, here are a few of our favorites (a few will get you a chuckle or two) -

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin
A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. John Steinbeck
Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day. Gene Perret
Marriage: that I call the will of two to create the one who is more than those who created it. Friedrich Nietzsche
By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. Socrates
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever. Henry Drummond
Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. Franklin P. Jones
To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. David Viscott