An anniversary film is the story of a marriage, told by the people who watched it. Who those people are changes with the years: close friends for an early anniversary, children for a 25th, three generations and the wedding party for a 50th. The steps are the same.
Who to ask, by anniversary
| Anniversary | Who usually organises | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1st to 10th | One partner, as a surprise | Close friends, both families, the wedding party |
| 25th | Their children, or one partner | Children, siblings, long-time friends, neighbours |
| 40th, 50th, 60th | Adult children | Children and grandchildren, siblings on both sides, anyone from the wedding (the full guide for a 50th) |
1. Ask about the two of them
"Happy anniversary" gets the same sentence thirty times. Questions about the couple get stories, and when everyone answers the same one, the film makes its own point:
- How did you first hear about the two of them?
- What do they do that the rest of us should copy?
- Tell us one story about the two of them that you still tell.
- A wish for the next ten years.
2. Make the list from both sides
Around 15 to 30 people makes the best film for a milestone year; 8 to 15 is plenty for an early one. Split the work: one person collects contacts from each side of the family. Invite a few more than you need.
3. Invite privately, remind twice
Remind people halfway and two days before the deadline. A count ("14 of 20 have sent theirs") works better than "don't forget".
4. Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Questions, list, invites. Four weeks if you want a printed book. |
| 10 days before | First reminder. |
| 7 days before | Recording closes. Edit, and add photos from the wedding and the years since. |
| The day | Play it at the dinner, after the toasts. Film their faces. |
Our printed books take 4 to 5 business days to print after you approve the proof, then 2 to 5 days in the mail, so close recording about two weeks out if you want one.
5. Edit and play it
- Group the answers by question, funny first and the closest people last.
- Trim every clip to its best line, and keep it to 3 to 10 minutes depending on the year.
- Play it on a TV with real speakers, with captions in a noisy room, and seat the couple together facing the screen.
- Send the film to everyone who recorded.
You can do this yourself with a phone and an editing app. Or let us collect, remind and edit. A person checks every film before you see it.
Common questions
How do I make an anniversary video with messages from friends and family?
Pick two or three questions about the couple, send everyone a link where they can record on their phone, collect for 7 to 10 days with two reminders, then edit the messages into one short film grouped by question and play it at the anniversary dinner.
What questions should I ask for an anniversary video?
Questions about the two of them, not about marriage in general: how you first heard about them as a couple, what they do that the rest of us should copy, a story about the two of them, and a wish for the years ahead.
Who should be in an anniversary video?
It depends on the year. For an early anniversary, close friends and family. For a 25th, add their children and long-time friends. For a 40th or 50th, add grandchildren, siblings on both sides and anyone from the wedding party.
How far ahead should I start?
Two to three weeks before the anniversary for a film, about four weeks if you want a printed book, which needs time for printing and mail after the proof is approved.
Want us to handle it?
Pick the questions and add the people. We invite everyone, remind them, and edit the film, with a printed book if you want one. Free until your trailer is ready. Then choose Film ($49) or Film + Book ($109).
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