Anniversaries: Revisit Your Wedding City better than a Billionaire

Good Morning!

I received an e-mail today from a book editor who was skeptical about how ordinary people could live extraordinary lives on a limited budget. This editor had just planned, organized and paid for her own wedding . . . and found the whole experience daunting.

My hat is off to her. Any wedding is a major challenge and if you have to do it on your own it can be even more so. I hope that her marriage is a long-lasting and delightful one.

Her note reminded me of my own parents' wedding. They planned, organized and paid for it themselves. They eloped. I'm sure the editor had a grander day . . . at least I hope so.

But if you had a modest beginning for your wedding, it doesn't mean that you cannot have an anniversary that would be the envy of many.

Don and Felice Mitchell were married in a Las Vegas wedding chapel on December 13, 1942 while Dad was on leave from the Army air corps. In those days Las Vegas was little more than a dusty crossroads where you could be married without any wait. There was a war going on, and they didn't even know if they would both be alive at the end of it.

They returned to Las Vegas many times thereafter to gamble and enjoy the shows. In most cases, they did not even stay overnight. . . driving back to their home in California, three-and-a-half hours away.

On the occasion of their 60th anniversary it was different. The red carpet was rolled out for them.

They were the guests of president of Mandalay Resort Group, the largest hotel casino operator in Las Vegas. They stayed in one of the honeymoon suites at the Mandalay Bay Resort where the television show, Las Vegas, was shot in its opening season. While there, they visited with the president, Glenn Schaeffer, in his office for an hour, had a tour of the properties by the head of security to explain how they keep out cheats and other crooks (this interested my sister who was with us and served as a police commissioner at the time), enjoyed another personalized tour of Shark Reef (a famous attraction at the resort), were thrilled by a personalized tour of the grounds by the head gardener (my parents had a gardening business for many years) and enjoyed eating a beautiful anniversary cake as a gift of the president at the Four Seasons Hotel. Dad rode around in a motorized scooter provided by Mandalay Bay. They had a ball!

You could almost see Mom and Dad grow younger as the two days went on.

My sister also scooted off for her own personal adventures. She complimented the manager of the Four Seasons on his Christmas display in the lobby, and he took her on a two-hour tour of the rest of the hotel's decorations for that joyous holiday . . . most of which were not yet open to the public.

My wife and I enjoyed our own sumptuous suite where our daughter enjoyed having her own room located about 50 feet from her parents across a huge living room.

And the cost? Well, we rented a Lincoln Town Car to drive to Las Vegas so Mom and Dad would feel like they were in a limousine. We had to buy gas for the car (which wasn't cheap). Once in Las Vegas, we covered the meals. But everything else was free (except for tips to the hotel staff and coins put into slot machines). The total out-of-pocket cost in Las Vegas was less than $300, including the car transportation.

Planning the event started simply enough. I decided that Mom and Dad would enjoy a surprise anniversary party that took them back to Las Vegas in style. I checked with everyone in the family to see who would like to join in and found out what each person would like to do.

Then I dropped a note to two hotel executives I know in Las Vegas recounting my intention and asking them if they would be willing to meet with my parents to greet them. I also asked if there were any free activities they could suggest at their hotel. Glenn Schaeffer faxed back a response that he was in charge of my parents' anniversary and that we would only have to pay for meals. I shared background information with Glenn, and he kindly made arrangements for all of the wonderful activities I described. Thank you again, Glenn!

Glenn did ask a favor. I had written about Mandalay Bay in my recent book, The Ultimate Competitive Advantage. He asked if he could quote the book in the company's annual report. Naturally, I was glad to grant permission. That was how we "paid" for our jaunt.

What are the lessons for your anniversary?

1. Go back to where you once began. It will bring back happy memories.

2. Bring along the family if they are willing to be cheerful.

3. Plan activities that each person can enjoy.

4. Contact the head of the poshest place in town and ask for her or his advice on what inexpensive and free choices might be available on or around your anniversary date.

5. Consider renewing your vows if that would please you.

6. Rent or borrow the kind of cars and clothes that would make you feel better than a billionaire for the occasion.

7. Surround yourself with little luxuries that you love. If you stay overnight, have Godiva chocolates to snack on. Have someone bring a new bouquet of fresh flowers for every meal (these can be purchased for little expense at the supermarket). Bring the most luxurious bath beads or soap you can find. Bring along your favorite type of wine (bought wholesale if possible).

8. Plan to meet with people who will make the day special in your memories. For instance, if there is a local minister or rabbi whom you greatly admire, invite them to join you for a meal, cup of coffee, or to help you renew your vows.

9. If you like publicity, tell the local newspaper about your plans. Chances are they will cover the event for you.

10. Have someone who's a good photographer make videos and take photographs of the event so you can create a wonderful album and edited video to remind you of the fun you had. If someone in your family or a local friend can do this, the cost will be minimal.

11. Contact politicians and public figures and tell them about your anniversary. Many will send you written greetings or call at an appointed time to talk to you.

12. Ask people to help you feel special in other ways that mean something to you. For instance, my wife is an above average poetess. For such occasions, she will write a new poem about the people and the occasion and give the people involved a framed copy of the poem that they will treasure. If you don't know a poetess, you can probably find one through the Internet who will help you as a gift or for a modest charge.

13. As you can see, the only limits are based in your imagination and procrastination. I usually start planning such events about three years ahead of time to give myself plenty of time to think of new alternatives and to see how the event is evolving. Each new planned activity opens the doors to another one.

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell

This blog's entries begin on May 14, 2005. By reading backward through the prior posts, you will eventually see an index to all the posts. You can achieve the same result by clicking on the button for the May 2005 archive of my posts which can be found in the right hand column.

Be sure to check out my blog dated May 16, 2005 on how to plan Your Dad's Best Father's Day! and May 30, 2005 on Plan Your Best Fourth of July!