Marking the milestones.
Celebrations of the years can be casual, formal
Stories by Donna Olmstead
Event planner, Akshay Patel, at Simply Decor of Albuquerque created a package that included hotel rooms for out-of-town guests, a hotel ballroom for the event, linens and decor, and a limo shuttle service for about $15,000. That was for an elaborate 25th wedding anniversary celebration for about 250 people. Another couple decided on a Winter Wonderland celebration for their 25th anniversary because they met at a Disney movie. Patel says he created a winter fantasy theme in the hotel ballroom that featured life-size cardboard Disney princesses and princes to provide an enchanting mood. The catered party was for about 150 guests and cost about $4,000. Another couple, celebrating a 50th anniversary, wanted a formal setting, but only for a few hours with cocktails and appetizers. "We really try to create whatever our clients want,” he says. “We want to help their dreams come true.”