Have You Got A Big Anniversary in 2023?

Is 2023 bringing a special anniversary your way? Be it a romantic occasion, the commemoration of a personal achievement or a work-related milestone, if you’ve decided to celebrate in a big way but aren’t sure where to start, there’s no need to fear. We’ve compiled a list of important things to bear in mind when planning an anniversary celebration, to make sure that when the day comes you’re all set to enjoy it in style.

Make it memorable by planning ahead

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. Do you have a clear idea of how you plan to celebrate this anniversary? Is it an occasion for just you and your partner, or a big party you’re throwing for someone else? The best way to ensure that everything plays out without a hitch on the big day is to plan ahead. Think of answers to the following questions:

• How many guests will be attending? If the anniversary is a romantic one and you want it to be intimate and special, you don’t need to worry about booking a venue that holds hundreds of people. However if you’re throwing a big party, for your parents’ anniversary for example, you need a good idea of guests in order to proceed with planning.

• Are there mouths to feed? Whether this means booking a restaurant reservation well in advance, or reaching out to potential caterers for a quote, eating arrangements are something you need to be sure of long before the day itself to avoid disappointment.

• What kind of venue do you want? If it’s the middle of summer and you want to throw a backyard barbeque you may not need to consider other venue options. However, if you want to go all out, you might want to consider booking a private event space.
• Do you know how you’ll be decorating? Do you plan to hire a decorator, or enlist the help of family and friends? Balloon arches don’t make themselves, and the last thing you want is to find yourself struggling to hang streamers on your own the night before the event.

If you have rough answers to these questions, you’re in the right place to start making enquiries and book what you need to make the anniversary as memorable as it can be. 

Consider the date and season

Let the seasons help you when planning this anniversary. Seasonal influences can really enhance all aspects of a celebration, from what’s on the menu, to the flowers on display, to where you choose to hold it. Why try and fight the elements by attempting to have a beach picnic in December, when instead you could book out a seasonal pop-up ice rink? 

Keep in mind that some times of year are busier than others. For example, for the past four years, October has been the most popular month for weddings - and therefore will be just as busy with the coming anniversaries. Similarly, booking a romantic restaurant anytime near Valentine’s Day might prove to be a struggle. Set yourself reminders to make that call before it’s too late.

A theme might help inspire ideas

If you’re struggling for inspiration for how to make this anniversary one to remember, you might want to consider adding a theme. This will give you something to refer to when you’re stuck for ideas, and can unite several elements together. For example, if the anniversary you’re celebrating is one for a colleague’s time spent with the company, why not make a theme around the year they joined? This gives you a ready-made playlist of that year’s biggest hits, and a dress code based on the fashion trends of the time.

Themes are especially easy for wedding anniversaries, as each year has an accompanying element such as paper, tin, porcelain, or silver. For each year of marriage up to your 50th there are also anniversary flowers. Try to think of unique ways to incorporate this symbolism into your event, be it in the activities or the decor. 

Book venues early to avoid disappointment

TagVenue recommends booking party venues in LA 3-6 months in advance minimum, not only to ensure you get the date you need, but also to give yourself enough time to make the rest of your arrangements. This may vary depending on where you are based, but there’s no such thing as putting out feelers too early.

You should also give yourself a reasonable amount of leeway to find an alternative venue should your first choice be unavailable. Take the time to research appropriate venues and make a list of your favorites; don’t be afraid to inquire with multiple places, and decide the order of preference should your dream venue not work out. 

Do you need some helpers or facilitators?

While it can be tempting to try and shoulder all of the responsibilities of planning an anniversary - especially when you’re trying to show someone how much you care about them - it’s better to be realistic about your limitations. Enlisting help doesn’t just mean outsourcing things to companies - it also means including family and friends, something which is bound to make any anniversary all the more special.

However, if you’ve gone all out, you probably will need to call in some professional help. Chances are you probably can’t cater a party of 100 out of your own kitchen, and the likelihood of you being able to source suitably romantic flowers without any expert advice or experience is slim. Play to your strengths, but don’t be afraid to fill the gaps in your knowledge with expert additions.

If you need flowers for your special anniversary, our team of artists at French Florist have decades of experience when it comes to creating the perfect arrangements for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for a romantic bouquet to sweep someone off their feet, or to celebrate another year with a loved one with some birthday flowers, we have the creativity and expertise to help. You can even give the gift of a monthly flower subscription. And, you can order flowers from French Florist by 2pm for same-day local delivery across Los Angeles.