Celebrating 50 Years of Love — our parents’ 50th anniversary celebration wasn’t just about marking a milestone—it was about honoring the life our parents have built together over five incredible decades. This 50th anniversary celebration was a tribute to a love that’s lasted through raising two strong-willed kids, a whole lot of real-life moments, and more than a few lessons learned the hard way.

My brother and I knew from the start that the evening would reflect not only the elegance of a golden anniversary but the heart behind it. Inspired by our mom’s love for the Victorian era, we planned a meaningful, classic celebration at the Northern Hotel in downtown Billings. Every detail—down to the gold foil-stamped invitations and vintage-inspired décor—was chosen to reflect their lasting love and deep commitment to each other.

This wasn’t about perfection or fairy-tale romance. Our parents never needed grand gestures or luxury getaways to prove their love. They’ve done the hard stuff—together. They’ve laughed, compromised, and figured it out—together. And after all these years, they still choose each other first.

What started in 1972 has grown into a life filled with partnership, parenting, and joy. We were so proud to celebrate that with the people who’ve been part of their journey—and to raise a glass to the love story we’ve had the privilege of witnessing up close.

The Invitation: A First Look at What Was to Come

I knew the invitations had to set the tone—classic, elegant, and full of heart. Inspired by vintage Victorian style and my mom’s love of pink, I designed them using a complimentary deep burgundy and gold color palette. Gold foil stamping and a wax seal gave the suite a timeless, formal feel, while also nodding to the traditional golden anniversary.

Every piece, from the RSVP card to the floral-lined envelope, was thoughtfully created to be something guests would want to hold onto. The beveled edges, soft letterpress, and classic type gave it that timeless, Victorian-inspired feel—while still keeping it warm and personal, just like the celebration itself.

Designing them myself made it even more meaningful—because no one knows my parents, their style, or their story quite like I do. The final touch was perfectly curated vintage postage, chosen to match the tone of the suite and add just the right amount of nostalgic charm.

Celebrating 50 Years of Love in Every Detail

When we started planning the décor for their 50th anniversary, we wanted it to feel like a true reflection of our parents—elegant, timeless, and full of heart. Our mom has always loved the beauty and detail of the Victorian era, so we used that as our inspiration. We chose every detail with them in mind—from the burgundy and blush florals to the gold frames, velvet seating, and vintage touches. Our goal was simple: create a space that reflected them, with just a touch of nostalgia.

The Overall Atmosphere

The ballroom of The Northern Hotel in downtown Billings provided the perfect backdrop for our parent’s golden anniversary celebration. With the help of Better to Gather, we turned the room into something straight out of a dream. Our Victorian-inspired vision came to life with soft textures, warm lighting, and a romantic glow that made the whole space feel cozy and elegant at the same time. Floor-to-ceiling blush drapes set the tone, and twinkle lights behind sheer panels created a glow that made the room feel intimate and grand. Crystal chandeliers added just the right amount of opulence. One of our Mom’s favorite details was the backdrop behind the head table—soft, draped fabric with floral garlands and backlighting that made it feel like something out of a storybook.

The Lounge Area

Right across from the sweetheart table, we set up a little lounge area—and it turned out to be one of the coziest spots in the whole room. We wanted it to feel like something you’d find in a charming old parlor, so we brought in a cream-colored couch, velvet pillows in burgundy and rust, and a whitewashed vintage-style coffee table. On top, we placed a gold mirror tray with a mix of blush, pink, and deep red flowers in crystal bud vases. The backdrop was created using layers of ivory draping with empty vintage frames dressed up in florals and greenery. It was soft, simple, and totally photo-worthy.

A Closer Look at the Tables

Every table was designed to feel cohesive with the overall look—elegant, polished, and full of intentional details. Centerpieces featured vintage gold picture frames holding crystal bud vases and floral arrangements in blush and deep burgundy tones.

Before the party, I gave my parents a list of questions about their 50 years together that they had to answer separately. I used their responses to create fabric signs that became part of the table centerpieces. Each one featured a different question along with both of their answers, and I finished them with handmade beaded tassels for an extra special touch.

The menus were foil-stamped and paired with thank-you notes that matched the monogrammed frame from the invitation suite. Each place setting featured scalloped gold charger plates and name cards topped with a gold wax seal.

A Warm Welcome to Celebrate 50 Years of Love

From the moment guests stepped into the ballroom, we wanted them to feel the heart behind the celebration. A gold-framed mirror welcome sign greeted them with a playful message and a lush floral arrangement that tied into the rest of the décor. Beyond that was the escort card table—lined with personalized place cards for the adults and soft, cuddly plush animals for the kids (each with their name tag and meal selection). And to make things even more meaningful, we included an audio guest book, where our family and friends could pick up a vintage-style phone and leave messages for our parents to listen to in the coming years. The best part? All the voice recordings were transferred onto a custom vinyl record—a nostalgic and timeless keepsake for a couple who fell in love in the 60s.

Making Room for the Littlest Guests: Including Kids in Celebrating 50 Years of Love

With so many little ones in our family—thanks to my mom being the oldest of nine and my dad having three siblings—we knew we wanted the kids to feel just as special and welcome as the adults. This wasn’t just a formal celebration; it was a family event, and that meant creating space for everyone to enjoy.

We set up a dedicated Kids Zone filled with cozy rugs, toys, balloons, and plenty of space to run, play, and be kids. Each child had their own spot at the table, too—with a custom place card and a stuffed animal clipped with their name and meal choice. These adorable plushies doubled as both escort cards and take-home favors (and honestly, they were a hit).

From toy dinosaurs on the dance floor to a soft landing spot for toddlers in the corner, we made sure the celebration reflected the generations of love—and laughter—that have come from our parents’ 50 years together.

A Sweet Tribute: Celebrating 50 Years with the Perfect Anniversary Cake

The cake was more than just dessert—it was a tribute to where it all began. We worked with Katie Cakes to bring our vision to life, incorporating sugar flowers and embossed details on the layers, tying it in perfectly with the rest of the Victorian-inspired décor. But the most sentimental touch? The cake topper was the original from our parents’ wedding in 1972, perfectly preserved and now given center stage again.

Our parents aren’t really into things that say “50th anniversary” all over them—it’s just not their style. But my brother and I still wanted to do something that honored the milestone in a personal way. We had the cake knife and server engraved with a custom message just for them. It was a small touch, but one that added meaning to the moment.

A Love Worth Celebrating

Our parents were the reason for it all. Everything about the evening was designed to honor their story, and they showed up looking every bit as special as the milestone we were celebrating. My dad wore his Marine Corps dress blues. He’s a Vietnam veteran, and seeing him button that jacket and straighten his hat brought a mix of pride and emotion that’s hard to describe.

Mom looked absolutely beautiful in a floor-length red gown covered in sequins, a soft white cape draped across her shoulders, and a nosegay bouquet made with the same flowers used throughout the event.

One of our favorite memories from the day was their “first look.” Just the two of them, seeing each other for the first time that evening. It was sweet, emotional, and honestly, a little magical. And if that wasn’t enough, they had an impromptu first dance on the empty dance floor before anyone else arrived. For those few minutes, it was just them. Everyone else melted away. Watching them in that moment reminded us exactly why we were there.

The Perfect Ending to a Night Full of Love

As the music played and the dance floor filled with family and friends, it became crystal clear— celebration wasn’t just about the past 50 years, but about everything still ahead. Laughter echoed, kids twirled in circles, and longtime friends shared stories with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. It was joyful, heartfelt, and full of the kind of love you can only build over a lifetime.

This evening was our way of saying thank you—to our parents for the example they’ve set and to everyone who’s been part of their story along the way. It was the kind of celebration that didn’t just mark a milestone; it also honored a legacy. Watching them throughout the night, we knew without a doubt: this was love. Real, lasting love, celebrated exactly the way it should be. And honestly, the greatest gift they’ve ever given us is that they didn’t just talk about it—they lived it. And they let us grow up watching what true love really looks like.

See my parents full gallery HERE

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If you’re planning your own meaningful celebration and want someone who gets how important every detail is—I’d love to help. Whether you have a quick question or need a little more guidance, I’m just a message away. You can email me directly at janeil@seventhandanderson.com or reach out through my Contact Page—either way, I’ll be back in your inbox soon.