It’s not that often that you hear of couples celebrating 25 years of marriage.  For the team at Perfect Planning Events, we had the opportunity to celebrate and applaud this magnificent milestone with Desi and Marilyn Crouther on August 23, 2014!

*Connecting silver to the 25th wedding anniversary may have originated in Middle Europe, specifically in the Germanic region, according to Hallmark’s website.  Traditionally, a husband would give his wife a silver garland marking 25 years. The silver symbolized the “harmony” that people believed a couple needed to sustain a marriage for such a long period of time.* (*from Hallmark.Com and EHow.com)  The 25 Year Celebration of Desi and Marilyn was one that centered around a foundation of love and family which was shown throughout the planning of this wonderful celebration.  Marilyn contacted me within 45 days of the day this was all to occur and asked that our team to carry out the details and the design of this remarkable day.  Marilyn, a business executive, was planning this 25 year milestone as a surprise to her husband and mums the word!  Imagine carrying this secret event without him finding out – it was a major task that we definitely accomplished!

The venue, Magnolia Farm –  their retirement home, which was named after the state flower of Mississippi which is where Marilyn and Desi originated and graduated college, Mississippi State.  Marilyn thought the farm was an excellent location because the farm wasmississippi-state-bulldogs-script-logo-primary4079205966_c5df7a03c2 her husband’s inspiration for their continued future to relax and enjoy their life, and he (Desi) was celebrating his retirement from work one day before the big day!  The barn was the backdrop and focal point.  The decor represented a rustic theme surrounded by things that incorporated the love of the couple and their family.  The table decor incorporated willow twist and natural yuma linens, mason jars for the southern sweet tea accented with chevron straws, natural floral decor with wooden boxes, sage candles, drift oak farm chairs, and gold trim base plates.  Additional decor, we provided the guest with a taste of vintage Coca Cola (Marilyn’s favorite beverage).  As the guest arrived, a vintage hot rod was at the entrance of the barn which greeted guests as they arrived.  Also as a guest entrance, Marilyn showed me a picture of a sign that she liked, so we created our own sign that incorporated some of the couples favorite love songs.

The celebration began with the ceremony.  The morning of the wedding, Desi, finally knew that something more was going on – he thought the celebration was a small gathering of close family members – however, when he was introduced to the complete production, he knew and he was excited about re-creating the love he shared with Marilyn.  The ceremony attendants were dear and special to their hearts, their kids.  The guests included 80 of their closest family and friends.  The ceremony was held outdoors under the tent with the Virginia Mountains in the background; our altar incorporated lush floral atop vintage wine barrels.  Later the guests were transitioned to the barn where they enjoyed a scrumptious array of food (all of the couples favorites) and desserts (German chocolate and red velvet cake, vanilla butter wedding cake – favorites of the couple) provided by Tasteful Affairs and Edibles Incredible.  Toasts were presented by some of their closest friends followed by a welcome toast of love by the couple.  Marilyn and Desi then presented their original wedding party attendees from 25 years ago with gifts of appreciation of their support throughout the years.

Once dinner was completed – it was time to party!  The guests were then escorted back to the tent to move and groove to the sounds of Lugo Entertainment.  Desi, Marilyn, their kids along with family and friends danced the night away celebrating what really was the foundation of their life – Love, Family, and Friends!  BTW, don’t you love the cowboy boots that completed Desi and Marilyn’s attire!

 

Special THANKS to the following wedding professionals that helped to make this day a success:   Us – Perfect Planning Events (decor design)  |  Tasteful Affairs (catering)  |  Lugo Entertainment (deejay)  |  Michael’s Flowers (floral decor)  |  A Perfect Image (photography)  |  Edibles Incredible (cakes)  |  Select Event Group (tent, chairs, chandeliers)  |  DC Rentals (base plates)  |  BBJ Linens (linens)  |   Curtis Taylor Quintet (ceremony and dinner entertainment)  |  Joy Burgess (soloist)  |  Susan Carter (soloist)

Photography Credit:  A Perfect Image Photography