Rick and Sharon wanted to plan a unique surprise dinner party at the Long Beach Island Historical Museum in historic Beach Haven, New Jersey to celebrate 10 years of vacationing with close family friends. Here are Parties365.com we believe there is always a reason to celebrate and that’s why we love this dinner party so much! It’s proof you don’t need a traditional milestone like a birthday or wedding anniversary to celebrate… you just need to gather the people that mean the most to you and a celebration effortlessly unfolds. Join us as we take a peek inside this beach vacation themed anniversary dinner party!
Rick and Sharon contacted Bogath Weddings and Events for help planning a surprise dinner party to celebrate their love of gathering friends and family “down the shore.” For the past decade their family has enjoyed an annual week at the beach with close family friends, making memories that will last a lifetime and it was time to pause, reflect and celebrate what’s been and what’s to come.
A Unique Dining Experience
The couple wanted to host a delicious meal and elegant dining experience in a unique setting and the Long Beach Island Historical Museum in Beach Haven was the perfect location. The museum, right down the street from the quaint Victorian home they’ve been vacationing in for a decade, had a space for the group to dine underneath a whale skeleton! It doesn’t get more unique than that!
During the planning process, it became evident that the common design element for the dinner party was going to be the Victorian vacation home the families held so dear. It became the heart of the event’s design inspiration and you’ll love how it was used throughout the party.
Anniversary Dinner Party Tablescape
The main dining table was perfectly decorated to capture the seaside vibe of Beach Haven that keeps the families returning year after year. Grounded with a show-stopping drift wood centerpiece from Reynolds Garden Shop, the hand-crafted table, surrounded with mis-matched chairs from Rustic Drift, was topped with a delicate ivory lace runner, hurricane lamps and place settings in golds and ocean blues.
Each place setting from Ocean Tents & Party Rentals featured a beaded gold charger plate topped with a stunning turquoise, gold and purple dinner plate, topped with a blue linen napkin holding the menu. A delicate sand dollar place card, with calligraphy by The Shaded Maple, directed guests to their seats and will serve as treasured favors for years to come.
Love these custom sand dollar favors? You can get some made for your party from Seashells by Seashore on Etsy.
Anniversary Dinner Party Food Ideas
When it came time to select a menu, Rick and Sharon chose a local Italian restaurant, Carmen’s Unique Beach Cuisine, because of their amazing seafood, steak and vegetarian options. Again, keeping the ocean the focus of the evening, the menu was carefully curated to include local seafood selections and a raw bar.
For dessert, A Sweet Memory Cake Shoppe recreated the treasured vacation home in fondant, sitting atop the sand and waves as the top of a delicious custom cake. I just love the details of the stained glass windows on the house, don’t you?
Anniversary Dinner Party Favor Ideas
As an extra special party favor, Bunkerfish artist, and Beach Haven local, Jessie Temple, was commissioned to paint a watercolor of the vacation home. The painting was then reproduced on t-shirts by Jetty Apparel Co. which were wrapped with a blue satin ribbon and placed as surprises at each place setting. I think it’s safe to say the guests were thrilled with the custom party favors!
We hope you loved this beach-themed vacation anniversary dinner party as much as we did! What non-traditional milestone or event will you celebrate next?
Featured Vendors
- Photographer: Melanie Cassie Photography
- Reception Venue: Long Beach Island Historical Museum
- Event Planner: Bogath Weddings and Events
- Cake Designer: A Sweet Memory Cake Shoppe
- Equipment Rentals: Ocean Tents & Party Rentals
- Custom Shirts: Jetty Apparel Co.
- Artist: Bunkerfish
- Calligrapher: The Shaded Maple
- Floral Designer: Reynolds Garden Shop
- Equipment Rentals: Rustic Drift
- Caterer: Carmen’s Unique Beach Cuisine
Jeanne Coon-Bogath says
Thank you so much for the beautiful feature! I’m thrilled you enjoyed seeing it as much we enjoyed planning such a special event!
Ashley, Editor @ Parties365 says
We’re honored to share it Jeanne! Love the work you did on this dinner party!
Melanie Cudnik says
Thank you so much for the feature! Love it!
Ashley, Editor @ Parties365 says
Of course Melanie! Thanks for capturing a fun party so beautifully!