| Whether you are sending out 50th anniversary | | | | A drunken brawl wouldn't be a great way to |
| invitations to everyone you know or are | | | | remember your anniversary party by now, would |
| having a private party to celebrate your 1st | | | | it? |
| wedding anniversary, here are some tips to | | | | |
| help you save costs. | | | | Then again, serving water or syrup would just |
| | | | seem too cheap. |
| 1. Organizing the party. | | | | |
| | | | How about a home made punch? |
| Do you really need to hire a party planner? | | | | |
| | | | Here's an alcoholic version. |
| Cut costs by getting a close pal or relative | | | | |
| to coordinate the entire party. | | | | 1 large ripe watermelon |
| | | | |
| 2. Food. | | | | 1 kg of whatever ripe fruits that are in |
| | | | season, which are very juicy. |
| Must you cater the food? | | | | |
| | | | 3 liters (2 1.5l bottles) of 7up or sprite or |
| It may be cheaper to buy take out and present | | | | ice cream soda |
| the food artistically on pretty plates for a | | | | |
| buffet spread instead of hiring a caterer. | | | | 3 cans of beer for that alcoholic zing |
| | | | |
| Better yet, if you have a pal who is a great | | | | Lots of ice to dilute it so it wouldn't be |
| cook with some showmanship and he or she is | | | | too sweet. |
| willing to play chef for your wedding | | | | |
| anniversary, you could even have him prepare | | | | For a non alcoholic version, substitute the |
| his specialty in an open kitchen as he plays | | | | beer for another bottle of ice cream soda and |
| TV chef and shows of his skills as an | | | | 3 large, washed lemons finely sliced. |
| entertainer and a chef. | | | | |
| | | | Juice the fruit. Pour in the 7up, sprite or |
| Or you could make it a pot luck and get each | | | | soda with the fruit juice and beer (for |
| guest to bring his or her specialty instead | | | | alcoholic version) and top up with ice |
| of an anniversary gift. | | | | shavings. |
| | | | |
| Or you and your closest and dearest could | | | | For the non alcoholic version, pour in the |
| cook up a storm in the kitchen to prepare a | | | | sodas, fruit juice and put in the slices of |
| feast for all your guests. | | | | lemons for garnishing and to give the punch |
| | | | that zing. |
| 3. Music | | | | |
| | | | If you want to save even more money, or if |
| How about the music? | | | | you run out of fruit juice, you can mix a |
| | | | different, more affordable punch. |
| You could hire a professional live band to | | | | |
| provide the background music but you must be | | | | 3 liters of soda |
| prepared to pay a huge fee for their | | | | |
| services. | | | | 1 bottle of rose syrup |
| | | | |
| Then again, you could hire a bunch of | | | | As much water as it takes to dilute the |
| talented teens for their first ever gig, who | | | | mixture so that it is not too sweet. |
| would be willing to play for a token fee in | | | | |
| return for the exposure they get. You could | | | | Maybe 3 large, washed lemons finely sliced to |
| check out colleges, ask your friends if their | | | | stir into the punch and give it a classy |
| kids or friends of their kids would like to | | | | flavor. |
| play for your party. Remember to audition the | | | | |
| kids to see if their music really is suitable | | | | 5. Anniversary gown |
| for your anniversary party. | | | | |
| | | | What will the wife be wearing for her grand |
| Or you could get a DJ to play the music that | | | | entrance? |
| would get guests in a partying mood. | | | | |
| | | | The husband? |
| Or (the cheapest option) you could just get | | | | |
| CDs of your favourite music and put them in | | | | Can you fit your old wedding gown and tuxedo? |
| your CD player to provide background music | | | | |
| for the party. | | | | If you can, that would be a great time to |
| | | | wear it. If not, unless you foresee going to |
| 4. Drinks | | | | other black tie events in the near future, it |
| | | | might be more prudent to rent a gown or |
| You would be surprised how much money you | | | | borrow one rather than buy a new one just for |
| might end up spending on drinks if you aren't | | | | the party. As for the jewelry, you could use |
| careful. | | | | what you wore on your wedding day. Or you |
| | | | could buy new jewelry that looks absolutely |
| Are you going to provide a free flow of wine | | | | stunning yet which is remarkably affordable. |
| and champagne? How many crates of beer would | | | | The trick is to go for CZ jewelry instead of |
| you be getting for your guests? | | | | diamonds, rubies or other precious gemstones. |
| | | | |