Combining rehersal dinner with parents 25th anniversary? (little long)

mmealy

I am getting married Sept. 18 and my parent's 25th wedding anniversay is in early November. We moved to VA about 8 years ago and have family and friends coming from OK & LA for the wedding. My parents are older and theres no way they'll make it to their 50th anniversary so I want to acknowledge this big one.

So, when all our friends and family are there for the rehersal I'd like to celebrate them somehow. And thats the tricky part. I don't know how. My FILs are paying for the rehersal and I obv would be willing to pay for anything additional.

Does anyone have any ideas how to incorporate these two events? The furthest I've gotten so far is "Happy 25th Anniversary" napkins. haha. I don't know if I should get a cake since we'll be having the wedding cake the next day. So any suggestions would be amazing.

Sing2phins

Can you do a family brunch/celebration the day after the wedding (assuming the wedding is on a Saturday)?  That way, everybody gets their own day/party.

danieliza1127

Sorry but I don't think that's appropriate, especially since your FILs are paying for this party. 

I think the best thing to do is acknowledge your parent's anniversary at your wedding reception and have the DJ play a special song for them to dance to, maybe "their" song or their wedding song if they had one.  You could also present your bouquet to your Mom.

ljewel422

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_combining-rehersal-dinner-parents-25th-anniversary-little-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4be4cf78-8f99-40d9-99b9-c4645d5f0590Post:3476480c-13e9-48ff-9a3f-8798a6fb991b">Re: Combining rehersal dinner with parents 25th anniversary? (little long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Can you do a family brunch/celebration the day after the wedding (assuming the wedding is on a Saturday)?  That way, everybody gets their own day/party.
Posted by Sing2phins[/QUOTE]

This. I think everyone should get their own day.

MairePoppy

I don't think it's fair to hijack the party that your ILs are hosting for their son and you. It would be especially awkward, since your parents anniversary date is not even close to your wedding date. Also, would the guest list for the RD be the same as a party you might throw for your parents on their actual wedding anniversary?
I understand that you want to take advantage of the fact that the relatives will be gathered in one place. You could host a morning/afternoon brunch in honor of your parents the day after your wedding.

mmealy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_combining-rehersal-dinner-parents-25th-anniversary-little-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:4be4cf78-8f99-40d9-99b9-c4645d5f0590Post:fb9991e2-6c61-484f-8d25-f8c0608034f1">Re: Combining rehersal dinner with parents 25th anniversary? (little long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry but I don't think that's appropriate, especially since your FILs are paying for this party.  I think the best thing to do is acknowledge your parent's anniversary at your wedding reception and have the DJ play a special song for them to dance to, maybe "their" song or their wedding song if they had one.  You could also present your bouquet to your Mom.
Posted by danieliza1127[/QUOTE]

<p>I can't do a brunch or anything the next day since FI and I will be leaving.

When I originally started planning this, I was paying for the rehersal. FILs literally offered last week to pay for it. I could def do the reception idea.

</p>

Stackeye210

I think if you can't do the day after then the reception is your best bet.  Have the DJ do their wedding song and then maybe present them with a mini cake for the two of them or something.  It won't over shadow your reception, but it'll be a great gesture to let them know how much their day means to you.

Sing2phins

Yeah, if there's no way, due to travel arrangements, to have something the day after the wedding, then I'd do what dani said and honor them during your wedding reception.  I love the special dance idea, and the bouquet idea. 

Also: is this supposed to be a surprise, or can you let your parents in on it and get their take on it?  I mean, maybe they don't want a big fuss.

mmealy

OK, thanks ladies. I guess I'll veto that idea and try the reception idea.