Sunday, August 12, 2012

50th Anniversary Party Decorations

My friend Cheryl and I were honored to style a 50th Anniversary party for Ed & Ginny - a wonderful, sweet, inspiring, delightful couple at our church.  We wanted the party to be casual, yet elegant, with a vintage feel.  We used lots of burlap, book pages, and touches of cream and gold.  We couldn't have been more thrilled with how it all came together. 
Our wall treatments really transformed this church basement!  We hung floor to ceiling 60-inch wide burlap panels gathered in the middle with wide ribbon and a small bouquet of flowers and grasses.  In between were sheer curtains and in some areas we hung 8x10 photo canvases of the bride and groom's wedding.

Our bride's wedding dress was displayed at the party in a place of honor, framed by burlap panels and some strands of sewn paper hearts. 
Parts of her dress had been made into a baptismal gown for her children, so we also displayed that.  A vintage leather suitcase dressed up with a simple banner served as our card box.
A guest sign in area featured a banner and the bride's wedding apron, and of course more burlap.

Our tablescape came together with more burlap (a 40 inch square) and lots of beautiful touches. A sweet bouquet in a sand-filled vase sitting on a mirror.  One of our favorite elements are these adorable burlap pockets for the utensils.
Behind the cake table we created these wonderful window photo displays.  A burlap-wrapped wreath with a book page flower hung on the largest window and photos were hung across the windows with jute and tiny clothespins.

Above each table, glittered table numbers hung from either paper lanterns or paper heart "chandeliers" that moved happily in the breeze.  You can't really tell from the photos, but we also covered the harsh flourescent lights with burlap, which diffused the light and created a wonderfully warm atmosphere.
Overall, we couldn't have been happier with the way everything turned out - even better than our vision!  It truly was a joy to plan this party and to do this for a dear couple.  50 years definitely deserves to be celebrated!

6 comments:

  1. ok you two we just celebrated our 30th so I am booking you now for our 50th-- wonderful and fabulous styling and looks like they loved it All!!!!!

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  2. Oh my gosh, Karen, that is so creative! Really cute & amazing!!!

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  3. Hi Karen!

    My name is Lindi Haws of Love The Day, a party and entertainment site. I love this anniversary party and would love to feature the event on my site! If that is something you are interested in please let me know!

    Lindi
    http://www.love-the-day.com

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  4. Hey, Karen! I love using burlap in my decorating but the fumes from the burlap can be overwhelming! How did you deal with the fumes in this setting?

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  5. Wow!! The wedding arrangement ideas are lovely. Really liked them and planning to hire a good wedding planner for my wedding at one of San Francisco venues. Have heard about a famous planner and going to hire him.

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