Inexpensive decorating ideas for a 50th Anniversary Party?

Nci22228620
by Nci22228620
Don't know which color combination is better: white & gold or ivory & gold ? Need centerpieces for about 14 tables at a hall (they don't provide anything except tablecloths & napkins). I'd like it to be elegant but not TOO fancy. I don't know the word I'm looking for exactly---not "over the top" but not rustic or super casual either!
  13 answers
  • Jochastain Jochastain on Jun 17, 2017

    My girls did our 50th fabulously. They used ivory & gold dishes, golden roses on every table, much more. BTW dollar store wine & water glasses are cheaper than renting them, and you keep them afterward! If you want, I can email you a few pictures. And,Congratulations to the bride & groom.

    • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

      Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores---I've been checking their web site already! I would love to see pictures, but is there any way to send you my email privately---don't want to get tons more junk mail than I already do! Congrats on your 50th---it's ours next July!

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jun 17, 2017

    Elegance is using real plates and silverware and glasses, nothing plastic. There are some really nice paper goods out today, but that would be casual. Our 50th is in January. I'm so excited, but we will be far away from family and friends that month. So I have a very short helicopter ride scheduled, weather permitting. Neither of us has ever been in a helicopter before.

    We may have a 50th party when we get back home, so I have been searching and thinking. I love ivory and gold because it goes so well with pink, peach, cream, and coral. Gold napkin rings with some silk flowers and a bit of greenery would be elegant. I like gold wrapped candies; even Worther's caramels look elegant along with chocolates strewn generously down the length of the tables. Oh, Hershey's gold wrapped extra dark chocolates! And no confetti on the table that might accidentally get into the food. One time I thought a menu of the food we ate in 1967-8 would be nice, but we don't eat that way any more. Too fatty, salty, and bland for today. But your parents may have special memories of their rehearsal dinner, reception, or even their first meal at home. And I like place cards with the name on both sides in case a name momentarily escapes me: names in readable black, trim in gold ink.

    I hope you (and I) see some groovy ideas here. Best wishes 😇

    • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

      The hall provides china, silver & glassware, so no plastic! I never use anything but real at home, even when we have 45 people for a party! I love the idea for candies and thank you for the "no confetti" advice---may only use it on the table with the guest book and place cards. Love the idea of names on both sides of the place cards also! I'm leaning toward ivory and gold but our wedding was white and yellow in July---yellow bridesmaid dresses, daisies and roses, etc. Party's not until next July, so just getting started on ideas. Congrats on your 50th also! You'll love the helicopter ride---we did one in Hawaii several years ago and it was fabulous! Happy Anniversary in January!

  • Swilkinson43 Swilkinson43 on Jun 17, 2017

    Ivory is much softer than white, much less stark. It also looks better later in the day, into the evening.

    • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

      I am leaning toward ivory as I said above. But our wedding was white and yellow. Do you think it matters at all?

  • Tam13317878 Tam13317878 on Jun 17, 2017

    Either color combination would be good. I would check out party city if you have one in your area. they also have an online store. They have neat stuff at fairly cheap prices. If nothing else and you'd rather DIY you could get ideas. If $ is not the problem though you could better use your time in other party planning areas. Have fun and congrats to the couple!

  • Eileen B. Eileen B. on Jun 17, 2017

    If you know what their wedding colours were you could mix that with the gold

    • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

      It's our anniversary and the colors were yellow and white. Just don't think that would work with the gold for our 50th!

  • Kare4 Kare4 on Jun 17, 2017

    I can see maybe round mirror in the centre of table , with a glass vase ,a roundish one( like a brandy snifter) , some glass stones maybe a few gold and a few clear in some water ,with a floating candle, . Very romantic as the candle is reflected in the mirror. A silk flower, as a flower from your original bouquet . I would place them at the table settings, or babies breath, which can be spray painted lightly, to match your theme.

    • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

      I love mirrors, candles and flowers! Thank you and everyone for responding and your terrific ideas!

  • Karen Karen on Jun 17, 2017

    For our 50th our girls put a bouquet of baby's breath at a table. For our guest book, I used a scrapbook page with a recent picture of us and had people write memories of us on it. Scrapbook already started that way. I had our wedding album on the table and a scrapbook of our life together on the table where you came in. Our guests really enjoyed looking at them.

  • Nci22228620 Nci22228620 on Jun 17, 2017

    Great ideas---thank you and congrats on your 50th!

  • Jochastain Jochastain on Jun 17, 2017

    send to jochastain@bellsouth.net I'll overload you with photos.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 17, 2017

    Color pro ably depends on tablecloth color.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 17, 2017

    Old pictures of the couple might spur conversations.

  • Barb Barb on Jul 08, 2017

    Try thrift store for odd shapes glass vases that can be spray painted, and I have other ideas that I will upload pictures for you. For the board use any thing big a hug tray and use chalk paint, it works great. If she has her wedding dress you can display that on a mannequinn that you can buy and return lol that's the cheap way out. Picture board made from an old thrif store find to hang pass photo of them.