My thought for the decor would have something to do with '20 wedding bells', '40 briefcases' (or whatever relates to your job) and '60 birthday candles'. I'd cut these from cardstock (you can find images on google images) or find something at a scrapbook store... either make one large display or make small bouquets with picks and display them at each table.

Other ideas not really related to the 20-40-60 theme would be a memory jar where people write down a favorite memory about you or your wife and put it in a jar which you would empty at a later date to read. A trivia game about your marriage, your work and your wife would be fun.. use multiple choice questions to make it easier and have a prize for the winner. A picture board with lots of photos is also a good idea!

Sounds like a fun concept... be sure to come back later and let us know how it went.

I'm assuming this is ok with your wife.

How formal or informal do you want to make this?

I would use a lot of pictures. I would make a collage or sort of Bulletin board for each anniversary. Put the appropriate number in big cutouts some place on each college to tie it together.

20th anniversary color is emerald green or white. Don't know your wife's favorite color or your company colors. The colors may not tie in together. I would pick a main accent color or two and then a neutral color like white or ivory or something and then a third color that works really well with the other two. If you want to go formal, you can cover all of the tables with nuetral table cloths and have centerpieces in the main color with offsetting color. You can probably make some sort of insert for the centerpiece with "20-40-60". For a less formal look, decorate an area for each celebration by tying the look together with the photo colleges. Decorate the food tables, with the appropriate colors and serve food accordingly.

You can probably come up some sort of invitation that says something like

"Come join us as we celebrate

20 years of marriage

40 years employment

60 years of a wonderful life"

You could elaborate on the inside of the invitation with something like "This is a year of milestones for us. Please join us as we, daltex and wife, celebrate our anniversary, daltex's career and wife's birthday." Then give all of the needed info like date, time, etc.

I'd really make the font noticeable on the invitation numbers. You could carry this theme to the actual party with the above mentioned colleges and centerpieces. You could also make a banner or sign with the "20 years of marriage, 40 years of career, and 60 years of a wonderful life." That would visually sort of tie it all together.

How big of a party are we talking?? How much do you want to spend. Will there be a bar? Are you going to rent a hall or have it someplace special? How formal do you want the party to be?? Does she want it broadcasted that she is turning 60? Please give a little more info...

lydia1959 and adellabedella ... good ideas and comments by both of you. Thanks! BTW, my wife is totally on-board with the party idea and the 20-40-60 theme! We just need creative help on ideas how to pull it off.

@Orchidllauraga ... we are not "formal" people, so it will be more casual. My bride has no issue talking about her age. Current thinking (but subject to change) is more like an "open house" at our home, so people can come and go as their schedules permit. We will cater/prepare "heavy finger food", snacks, sweets, etc ... along with beer, wine, soda, tea, coffee. I don't think we will do an open bar ... We will hire a catering service to help with serving and clean-up, so we can enjoy our our event. We are a bit too early in our planning to estimate the number of people who might attend. Hope that helps clarify some of our thinking ...

I would suggest someplace other than your home. Why? You will have quite a few people, and even some you do not know very well. Parking? As you know, not all come and go. Some need bathroom etc Do you have a church? community center,? senior center, VFW Hall, or?
That way the food serving/preparation is kept kind of away from visiting. You might even ask the people who cater it for ideas. As to drinks, I personally would limit it to coffee/tea/punch/soft drinks and not worry about the liquor. Drinking/driving--not good. Food--most come and go are finger foods, cookies, or other desserts, nuts, mints, etc. Again talk to your caterers.

@marie-ndcal - As I read your comments you really made me think about location a bit more. Aside from your good points, I think our community center would perhaps afford a better environment for guests to intermingle. A bit less personal than a home, but more "positives" to that type of location. Thanks for helping me with my thinking!

Ah ha, the company came first. Congrats on that time span! From that, intermingle the story. If anticipated # guests are over 50, then outside the home party is better. Enjoy the event.

If you use a community center room, you could do three stations around the room, each one relating to the different years. Use decorations, pictures, etc. at each location.
Stations encourage people to move around the room, and interact..

I like foggyi's suggestions about stations at a community center or maybe a church since you aren't serving alcohol.Have 3 different cakes one at each station.One an anniversary cake, one 40 years on the job and a 60th birthday cake for your bride(loved that you still call her that after 20 years) Have the catering staff stand at each station serving your guests and replenishing the food. Have a videographer there to make a video of the night and a photographer taking picks at another station...kinda like prom pictures. Have a DJ there playing you and your bride's type of music. Let the DJ take requests and dance with your bride. Have the photographer take pics of the both of you cutting your anniversary cake, a pic of you cutting your work cake and then your bride cutting her birthday cake..Have 3 different flavored cakes like a white cake with butter cream icing, a german chocolate cake for your job, and maybe a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for your wife's birthday cake. Request on the invitations that it is fancy party attire...or whatever you want..

But I still think foggi's idea of the stations is the best idea...
.

Just a thought--I only suggested no alcohol--because because there will probably be all ages, cheaper, and easier to plan if you limit the beverages to 2-3. I would suggest decaf, punch, & water. Back here that is what is the most popular. Very seldom is there alcohol served, especially during the day. I would keep it simple, with photo boards, not sure of the music, and don't forget to have people sign guest books. Desserts? Simple--bars are always good Just my thoughts and that is what most of the people do here.

Open bars are expensive, but you could do a "signature" drink and call it the "20-40-60." Along with beer and wine. Adds another element of fun.

Having it at home is more intimate, but it depends on the size of your home and how many people are invited. If it's at home----an "open house"---that lends itself more to people coming and going at different times-- so all guests most likely won't be there at the same time. at a hall where you have the space for a limited time, it's less likely to be a casual dropping in at all different times. I've never seen an " open house" invitation for a banquet hall...it then becomes a bit more formal party invitation with a start and end time and most people will arrive within the first half hour or so.

They do open houses at the community center all the time in this area. Yes some stay a bit longer, but most do come and go especially where you are mixing 3 different groups who may or may not know each other. Time is important also. maybe from 2-5 is good. Just some things they do in this area.

I vote for having it at your house. It's much more personal and you can get some catering help! Probably doesn't matter if it gets crowded. Just more fun. Another vote for a signature drink and beer and wine. I do that all the time at my Christmas party. My signature drink is a "kicking" Cosmo and then DH is in charge of the beer selecion. I think the 20-40-60 theme is great. Have fun and report back after the event.