How to Plan An Anniversary Reception

The wedding bells are ringing … again!

Many of the brides that were able to make it down the aisle over the last year either eloped or settled for a “minimony.” Missing out on hosting a reception or big celebration might not be so heartbreaking for some brides, but a lot of couples will want a chance to celebrate their marriage with family and friends. That’s where the anniversary reception comes in. When you think of an anniversary reception, a 20th or 50th-anniversary party is what comes to mind. Hitting the one-year mark usually means a more low-key dinner out or a small vacation, but in 2021 the anniversary reception will be a second chance for brides to have the wedding they originally planned. If you’re one of those brides, here are a few things to consider when planning your anniversary reception!

Decide On A Vision

First things first, discuss with your partner what your anniversary celebration will look like. Is it going to be a full-on vow renewal and reception? Or will it just be a party? This can depend on the way you got married — if you already had a small ceremony you may just want a reception, but if you never got the chance to tie the knot with your family present you may want a ceremony and reception. The choice is yours but should be one of the first things you decide before you start planning.

Photography by Jess Sinatra & JNR Photography

Think About A Budget

If you had already planned a wedding but had to cancel, then you probably have a good idea of what your budget will be for your anniversary reception. You may need to adjust depending on the scale of your reception and whether you already spent a portion of your budget on a ceremony. You’ll want to build your budget the same way you would for a wedding, figuring out how much you can spend on each vendor and then start booking.

Pick A Date

There’s no need to have your anniversary reception on your exact anniversary. If you’re able to book a venue for that date it would be nice to host a one-year-later reception. But, if your date isn’t available or it falls on a weekday it’s perfectly fine to hold a reception that generally falls around the time that you tied the knot. It can also depend on your theme, if you want a summer bash but you tied the knot in late winter it’s totally fine to hold a reception at a time that works for you and your vision, there are no strict rules.

Brainstorm Details

You have so much more freedom with an anniversary reception when it comes to details. If you still want a sit-down dinner and dance party like in a traditional reception, go for it! But, you can also host a beachside celebration or a picnic with lawn games. There’s no need to keep it formal if that’s not what you want. The same concept goes for attire. You can choose to get another use out of your wedding dress or go more casual with a jumpsuit, it’s all up to the vibe you’re trying to create at your reception.

How to Handle Gifts

You’ll want to let guests know if gifts are accepted for your anniversary reception. If you already held a ceremony and received gifts from people, there’s no need to send out a registry. You can let guests know there is a no-gift policy or ask them to donate to a charity instead of buying you a gift. If this reception will count as the only celebration you’ve had, you may want to work on a registry you can include on your invites.

Send Invites

Since an anniversary reception is very similar to a wedding, you will want to send out formal invitations to your guests. The invites don’t have to be a full wedding invitation suite, but they should reflect the style of your party. At a minimum, you will want to include an actual invite and an RSVP card or you can send digital invites if you want to keep it more eco-friendly. Your invites should be sent out at least a few months in advance, giving any out-of-state guests an advance notice to make travel plans.

Share this with a bride who eloped or had a “minimony” this year and check out our lookbooks for some reception inspiration!

Shop Our Collection

Other Topics You May Be Interested In