50th golden anniversary planner
Fifty years married is a real landmark, and golden anniversary parties often gather four generations. They usually need more planning than people expect: a guest list from five decades, family travelling in, accessible venues and, in some countries, official greetings to request.
- Start planning
- 4–6 months ahead
- Guests
- Usually 40–120
- Traditional gift
- Gold
Free to preview. Opens with the party pages, title and a 6-month calendar already set — change anything.
50th anniversary countdown
Start 4–6 months ahead. These dates go on the countdown page of your planner, with tick boxes.
6 months before
Set the date and budget, book the venue.
4 months before
Send save-the-dates, request any official greetings, book caterer.
2 months before
Send invitations, book photographer, order the cake.
1 month before
Chase RSVPs, plan speeches, gather photos.
1 week before
Confirm seating, transport and access needs.
On the day
Toasts, family photo, cake, first dance — kept to three or four hours.
50th anniversary gift: gold
Gold suits jewellery, a gold-framed wedding photo, or gold-leaf details on the cake. Gift lists vary a little between countries; these are the most common.
50th anniversary ideas
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Golden afternoon
Gold and white, a tea or lunch, and a cake replicating the wedding cake.
Vow renewal
With the same words, read by the grandchildren.
Fifty years of news
Headlines from each anniversary year on the tables.
Wedding guests reunited
Seat original wedding guests together and introduce them.
Official greetings
In the US the White House sends greetings for 50th anniversaries and above on request; other countries have similar schemes.
What's in the planner
Every page is linked from a tab, so you tap once to reach the guest list or the budget.
- Event Overview
- Party Countdown
- Party Budget
- Guests & RSVPs
- Menu & Drinks
- Shopping List
- Decor & Supplies
- Vendors
- Day-Of Timeline
- Photo Shot List
- Gifts & Thank-Yous
- Ideas & Inspiration
- Monthly and weekly calendar
- Notes
Tips for your 50th anniversary
- Book an accessible venue with seating for everyone.
- Request official greetings months ahead.
- Collect a photo from every decade.
- Plan a four-generation photo first, while energy is high.
50th anniversary questions
What is the 50th anniversary gift?
Gold — it's the golden anniversary.
How do I get a White House greeting for a 50th anniversary?
The White House accepts greeting requests for wedding anniversaries of 50 years and more. Check the current form and lead time on the official site.
How long does the planner cover?
The builder opens with six months, which covers the run-up and the thank-yous after.
Other anniversaries
Also: birthday planners by number, wedding checklists by timeline, or the party planner.
Plan the 50th in one place
Countdown, budget, guests, menu, decor, photos and thank-yous — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.