VoiceQuilt Newsletter, Fall 2006: 50th Wedding Anniversary Story

Alison’s parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and she wanted a special keepsake. She signed up with VoiceQuilt in May 2006.

“My parents have friends spread across the country – and many of them are older and don’t use e-mail”.

Many VoiceQuilt Gift Organizers use our e-mail templates to invite callers. Alison, however, had a better idea.

When Alison and her sisters created the 50th wedding anniversary party invitation, they did some important finishing touches. First, they included a photo of their parents on their wedding day. Then, Alison designed a card that matched the formal party invitation – with instructions for leaving a VoiceQuilt message.

She didn’t tell her parents. She just slipped the matching instruction card into the envelope along with the invitation…and asked everyone to keep it a secret.

“Please show our Mom and Dad how much we care.”

In the VoiceQuilt instructions, Alison asked guests to call in a message – rather than bring a gift.

Many of her invitees had planned on delivering toasts at the party. We later learned that they were pleased about being able to deliver their remarks over the phone, with a chance to re-record if necessary. In fact, many were glad to get the toast over with so that they could relax at the party!

“We will play the VoiceQuilt at the party. Even if you can’t physically attend, you will be there in in a different and special way.”

This 50th wedding anniversary VoiceQuilt had almost 50 messages – from all phases of her parents’ life together. When someone called Alison to RSVP for the party, she reminded them to leave a message.

And the party presentation? It was a huge hit. After the CD of recordings played, Alison made some remarks and presented the VoiceQuilt photo frame keepsake to her parents – complete with a wedding day photo from August 1956.