I think it may be that you are so aware of it that you can't help but look at it much in the same manner you took the picture. It is understandable. Can it be possible that it is your concentration on it that makes it a bigger deal? Sure, it is there naked to the world, but that is a very big and powerful landscape that would draw me in so deeply that the pole and transformer would become incidental. Your photo is taken the same way your mind perceives the photo. Try to tae the photo of the entire view, with the pole front and center, but looking and focused on the broader landscape. Then try to train your brain to do the same thing. I think that trying to hide it will be much like putting a yellow suit on an 800 pound ape (I never spell gorila right, so I won't try). Awesome view, by the way. The development in the foreground is just as significant as the transformer, but you are not fixated on that. Because you are not fixated on that it is insignificant. Look past the pole, just as you do the houses.

I disagree...my cousin did a similar thing for her wedding...said it was a party for her fiance, who just got a big promotion...she didn't want a big fuss made, and didn't want people to bring gifts. Everyone who made it was pleasantly surprised to take in a quiet ceremony and be involved in the special day. If you aren't wanting to make this a big affair, then I think it's ok to plan it the way you are. You do run the risk of not having as many people come, as you might if you told them outright. (Most people put major anniversaries higher on the list than retirement parties.) You may also have some people feeling bad that they didn't bring a gift when they find out the real reason, or those who don't make it may feel bad they missed it. I still think, though, that everyone should be really excited when they find out the real reason for the picnic, and you will be able to keep it casual that way. Not sure what you have planned for food...if you're planning on keeping it really casual you could always do a potluck and suggest everyone bring their favorite picnic dish (Mmmm potato salad and BBQ chicken anyone??) or (if you don't want to ask people to bring food) there are massive BBQ's that can be rented for burgers or steaks (depending on how fancy you want to make it, and of course your budget). One thing my mom is always good at (for big birthdays/anniversaries/etc.) is making posters with pictures/little known facts/etc. Consider making a couple with wedding pics, pics of you both as children (always neat for the younger generation who never got to see auntie and uncle when they were their age), and things like how you met, how he proposed, favorite memories, etc. Congratulations, and enjoy yourselves, I'm sure everyone else will too. Verena

Depends on how you want to control them. If all you are doing is turn them on and off, it shouldn't be much of a problem. If you want to dim them, that's where issues start to crop up. Not to be too reductionist or too simplistic here, but most LEDs are solid state electronics, not really technically electrical, and require low voltage DC power, so not only is there a transformer (whether you see it or not), but usually some sort of AC/DC rectifier. Not all electronics behave well to being dimmed with typical rheostat wall switch dimmers. That's also why some LED lights have a slight delay turning on, the electronics. Even if they say they handle 120v and can be dimmed, it doesn't always work as advertised. Depending on why people on these forums recommend the Inspire LEDs (I'm not familiar with them) I would still stick with something either I know or people I respect know. If I want to dim LEDs today, I would buy a whole system that includes the lighting controller—like a Philips HUE system for traditional style light bulbs. LEDs have not been perfected to the point that anything you buy will behave properly. But if none of that matters, just get whatever you want that behaves like you want it (if you don't want the delay in turing on, for instance) Joe

I would try a light textured panel, close to the wall color. The bed is the focus and it's gorgeous but I do see some imbalance between the fullness of the bed and the sleek blinds on the windows. This is a situation where I would make my husband stand on a chair and hold a curtain panel by the window while I decide if it works on not :)