Silver
Anniversary Celebrations
My brother Woody and
sister-in-law Tricia wanted to celebrate their silver anniversary
with their close family and friends around them. Their wedding
had been a simple ceremony at the registrar’s office followed
by a small reception and now, twenty-five years down the road
of marital bliss with its normal share of bumps and speed-breakers,
they wanted every one who had mattered to them over the years
to share this day with them.
The highlight of the
morning of the great day was an exchange of vows at home - a renewal
of their commitment to each other. Tricia gave Woody a beautiful
gold watch, while he did her proud with a diamond eternity ring!
They went off to have quiet brunch by themselves at their favorite
restaurant while their daughter Nicky and I gave the final touches
to the party that they had planned for about twenty-five couples.
They had sent out invitations
a month earlier. Tricia had scanned a wedding photograph and printed
it in sepia tones as a backdrop for the message, which read: “Tricia
and Woody have survived twenty-five years of wedded life. Joins
us to celebrate at…” The colors were blue and silver
and we carried the theme through the party decorations and their
clothes. Tricia wore an elegant blue and silver gown with a lovely
lapis and silver necklace. My brother looked dashing in a dark
blue suit with a blue tie – the silver in his hair and beard
completed the theme!
The party venue was
decorated with gauzy blue and silver drapes flowing around the
columns and walls. Blue tablecloths with large blue and silver
bows on the chairs and blue candles in silver candle stands adorned
the tables. The bushes and trees around the lawn glowed with blue
fairy lights. We had made a several collages of photographs that
we put up on the walls. One was of their life together, from their
single days to the birth of their two children to the present.
Another was of photographs and messages from people who were not
with us that day.
It was a memorable
evening filled with joy, laughter, food, drink, music and dancing.
The music was strictly retro – including ‘their’
song, her favorite kind of music, and his favorite singers. The
guest list comprised of childhood neighbors, school friends, and
colleagues from work in addition to close and extended family.
Twenty-five couples formed a tunnel of arches and as the couple
walked through it, I read out twenty-five milestones of their
personal and professional lives. Champagne flowed as a family
friend who had been a witness to the ceremony proposed a toast
– looking forward to golden moments together.
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