Thank you all :). I'm having a really good time planning so that helps (and a cooperative gentleman makes it that much better..lol). Karen: I might be..lol Those candleholders are addictive and I find it's the one thing I buy the most of. Unfortunatly I'm to far away to snuggle the new baby as she is in IL but we were able to watch her and visit with the family via webcam most of the day. It's not the same , but better than nothing. Luvs: I prefer staying busy so all these things rolling along actually work nicely for me. This week and next , we start the annual trek of graduations so more busy is in the near future. I have a graduate coming for dinner next week as well so the table will feature the school colors. One I'm really looking forward to putting together. Once I get a few more things in that have been ordered and a couple of more floral projects done, I'll put together a "wedding post" to share. Stay tuned for that as delivery seems to be going sooo slow. lol

So, I see that since I've been gone most of the day, you gals have been having Waaaay to much silly fun! Just wanted to let you know... Lee, the Bus pulled up to your porch, but we didn't see you. I don't know if you got tired, from waiting so long, went inside. We waited a minute or two, but you know, the driver is paid by the hour, so we couldn't wait. Punk...We pulled up...and heard some weird shrieks coming from inside your house. I think you were laughing so hard on the floor, that you missed hearing the bus 'Honk' for you...Sorry the driver couldn't wait.. Karen...I don't know what happened you were a 'No Show'...we came by, and your car was gone, so I guess you tried to get some MORE shopping in before we came by.. didn't realize you were that greedy... Sorry we missed you! Well, you didn't miss anything, cause I went to Michael's, and there was NOT one Fall deco left. Nodda..Nothing!! All Christmas now...what a let down. But...they do have the most fantastic Christmas things. Karen I saw your Santa, but no purple one..You must have snagged 'The One And Only' purple they had. It was meant for you!!! cindylouhoo...thanks for the nice compliments. I was always just a Blue & White transferware collector..now, since I've been here, and seeing so many beautiful combinations...I'm like you, wanting different ones too. As far as getting bargains at GW, it's usually a 'Hit or Miss' situation on what I find. The blue glasses..were definitely a 'Hit'!! magpie..thank you too. My mother always used her Blue & White for the Holidays. To me, it seems so natural at Thanksgiving. Glad you like the look. I'm sure, being this is your first year in your new home, you must be excited to get your decorations and tables going. I'm excited for you! jane

Visit your wedding supply stores-I have done a few 50th parties, and made these cute lapel pins: Little gold bells are purchased. Cut a piece of gold satin ribbon & tie a bow through the loop on the bell. Add a small gold safety pin to the back. As guests enter the party room-have 2-3 of the younger grandchildren (12-14 yrs old), pin them on each guest...just an added touch yet fairly inexpensive. If many elderly folks are planning to attend-you might want to have a choice of a cake made with a sugar substitute..making sure you have a tented sign saying : SUGAR FREE cake, in front of that designated cake. Instead of having all dinner rolls-you could bake some specialty breads-like a banana, pumpkin or zucchini-whatever..slice it then use a cookie cutter in the shape of a bell & cut the shapes from the sliced breads. Same goes for the butter-buy a candy mold & fill with butter, chill to set up. These can be made ahead & frozen, then thaw that day. If you have a good photo of the honored couple? You can take that to a bakery-they can photocopy that onto a sheet cake! This could be on their table as a centerpiece extra..(maybe just have a 10" cake for them to take home after the affair w/their picture on) Make a little booklet (or scroll, rolled up & tied with a gold ribbon)..to place at each place setting. Contained in the scroll would be bits of data like your mom's maiden name-their parents' names, their 1st date & where they went, the school's they graduated from, their song, marriage date, location, attendants, honeymoon, etc; siblings, children, & any jobs (including the husbands 1st job!), etc, etc. On this scroll the title could be "Through Their Years", or something.

gellchom - Thanks for the reply. The indoor party was borne of so many years of late summer parties that have been much too hot for the comfort of guests who are a bit older. I love to cook and will probably do some of my best appetizer recipes with additions by professional catering. I guess I am most interested in what would have been served back in 1958 as a place to start. If I don't get much in that regard, I will proceed with my own recipes. Unfortunately, I am a control freak about food and usually give the caterer recipes I want done, but don't have time to do myself. I always enlist help with serving, re-filling bowls, freshening drinks, etc when I host parties. I want the party to have a casual elegance. I like the catering/service people to be a bit "invisible". Even my annual 4th of July party is so much easier with a couple of extra hands. I think it is money well spent as it takes alot of the stress away and enables me to mingle and enjoy the party so to say. I am definitely utilizing help in that regard. I am looking for some unusual or time-reflective recipes that were served in 1958. My parents had a modest wedding by today's standards. Their receiption has been described as something like a beef and beer to me. LOL While they had a modest wedding, they had attendants, etc. The receptions back in the day seem to have been less elaborate than those of in the past couple of generations. The lollipop lamb chops are a great idea as they really can be handled as an appetizer. Besides my dad loves lamb. I love your ideas. I am going to look into some music options. I am a bit limited space-wise for a quartet, so a single flute player would be lovely in the background. I had planned using fresh flowers for decorating and for my parents. I did a 25th and 40th anniversary party for them, dry runs for the 50th! Sangria is a great idea. I have many summer and winter sangria recipes, so I will dig those out. I am thinking a champagne toast before I serve cake. I am a bit stuck as to the signature drink. Don't want something martini-like as a majority of my parents friends take medicines for cholesterol and the like, so I am not sure how well hard alcohol mixes with different meds. I also worry about guests driving. With lite fare, appetizers and desserts, I don't think strong drinks would be a good idea. I was thinking maybe weak whiskey sours? The invite including a request for a memory or anecdote is another great idea. I planned on copying my parents' wedding album photos for display on the buffet and throughout the rooms in my home where the party will take place. Perhaps I can go through all my photos and incorporate them into the album and insert the contributions of the guests. I gave DH a surprise 40th b-day dinner party years ago, and the pics I had copied and enlarged for display were a huge hit. They were displayed in a subtle fashion - on the buffet, in the enclosed porch where the bar was set up, you get the idea. DH b-day party was an intimate dinner party with 10 couples and about 15 family members. DH hates attention so the surprise dinner party was just perfect and was hosted at the home of our closest friends. The party atmosphere was understated and lovely. It was more about great food (we all belong to a gourmet club so we served my husband's favorite meal). I didn't want to go over the top with peripheral decorating as my friends' home is beautifully decorated. I spent a majority of my budget on great food. I guess that is the "feel" I am going for with this party as well. A special album for keepsake would be wonderful. I will have to enlist the services of my SIL who is a big scrap-booker. She, I'm sure will have some ideas! I will also need to chose a unusual invitation. Once again, thanks for getting my brain functioning. I know it is a year away, but I like to have things planned to the T. A total list maker am I! Thank you again.