Celebrating 50 Years As The Johnsons: Wanda & Byron's Golden Anniversary Celebration
- Summer Aldridge
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Written by Summer Aldridge
Fifty years ago, Wanda and Byron Johnson said “I do” in a wedding so beautiful it made the newspaper. Half a century later, we had the honor of helping them celebrate that love story all over again.
From Day One, the Johnson family has been part of the Something Borrowed story. Dr. Shanna McGinnis, their daughter, is the owner of Blue Bridge Homes and one of our most loyal customers. Over the years she has trusted us with milestone celebrations (her mother-in-law’s 70th birthday, school dances, graduations, etc.) and has connected us with countless friends and community partners. So when she asked us to help honor her parents’ golden anniversary, we were beyond honored.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
Wanda and Byron’s love story began with a wedding so grand it made the paper. Their 1975 wedding was featured in The Lebanon Enterprise, which detailed everything from the ring bearer's attire to the florals and even what life looked like afterward (Byron returned to his studies at WKU, and Wanda stepped into her role as an ~executive housewife~).
At our first planning meeting, the Johnsons brought us treasures from that day including an original wedding program, custom dessert napkins, their wedding album, and more. Those heirlooms became the inspiration for everything that followed.
A Newspaper Program That Stole the Show
Guests were welcomed with a custom newspaper-style event program. It reprinted the original wedding story, included a note from the family, an order of events, a customized crossword puzzle, and more. You can download and use the free Canva template I designed here!
A Statement Seating Chart
The next stop was our gold mirror, transformed into an elegant seating chart. A little DIY magic brought it to life: printed cardstock from Office Depot, rounded edges with a corner punch (linked here), and tiny black satin bows (linked here) for the sweetest finishing touch.
Our Greatest Legacy is You
A custom gallery wall displayed their true legacy. Three gold-framed panels showcased photos of the Johnsons’ children and grandchildren, with LED sconces and vinyl lettering that read, “Our greatest legacy is you.” It quickly became one of the most meaningful focal points of the evening.
Golden Touches at Every Table
The color scheme was timeless: black, white, and gold with accents of purple. Classy white linens, black napkins, and gold chargers set the foundation. We layered in our new chandelier centerpieces, gold stands, and a collection of beaded candle holders in varying sizes. Ivy Trellis tied everything together with lush, jaw-dropping fresh florals that had guests swooning.
Adele’s Big Debut
This celebration also marked the debut of Adele, our new phone booth rental. Guests couldn’t get enough, leaving messages, snapping photos, and adding their voices to a memory capsule the Johnsons will cherish for years to come.
Desserts with a Throwback Twist
The dessert display told its own story. Two of our gold shelves framed the cake table, displaying photos of the couple over the years as well as a framed original wedding program and dessert napkin.
We even DIY’d a recreation of those napkins by designing a custom rubber stamp and pressing them onto scalloped-edge napkins using fabric ink. The Bees Knees Bakery + Goods carried the nostalgia forward with vintage sheet cakes, complete with gridline icing so every slice had its own floral detail.
Backdrops, Bouquets & a Seat of Honor
Guests had plenty of picture-perfect moments. Audrey, our green-and-white flower wall, was dressed up with real-touch purple hydrangeas to pair with Pearl for a fresh photo backdrop. Nearby, Poppy, our black velvet loveseat, anchored a sweetheart table overlooking the dance floor so Wanda and Byron could enjoy the night in comfort. Goldie, our simple gold arch, framed their Golden Hour ceremony with greenery and a single purple drape, while a recreation of Wanda’s original daisy-and-baby’s-breath bouquet waited at their table, a sentimental touch that tied past to present.
Music, Memories & Magic
The night was filled with music and joy. The McGinnis twins played string instruments as guests arrived. Longtime friend Keith McCutchen led a live band. And co-emcees (niece and brother of the couple) made the evening even more meaningful. By the end of the night, the dance floor was alive, a perfect finale to 50 years of love.
Behind the Scenes
This event was a joy from start to finish. Normally it’s obvious right away which planner on our team will be the best fit for an event, but this time Allyson and I couldn’t agree because we both wanted it. In the end, we did something we almost never do: planned it together. Working side-by-side was such a fun change of pace, and the whole process reminded us why we do what we do. When you love the people you’re celebrating, the work doesn’t feel like work at all.
Vendor Dream Team
Follow these incredible small businesses and support them with your next event!
Florals: Ivy Trellis Floral
Desserts: The Bees Knees Bakery & Goods
Live Music: Keith McCutchen Music
Photography: Dee Whitaker Media
Venue/Bar/Catering: Owensboro Convention Center
SB Blueprint Comparison
Every event we design starts with a Something Borrowed Blueprint, which is a custom plan that maps out the vision before it comes to life.
You can download the Johnson Anniversary Blueprint here and compare it with how the night turned out IRL!
Planning your own celebration? Let’s build your Blueprint together! Get in touch here to schedule a complimentary event consultation!
About the Author
Summer has been planning events since she could talk. From her sister’s Spongebob-themed birthday at age 7 to Hopkins County’s first (and only) “End of Middle School Blowout” (every ticket came with a free hot dog, and yes, the DJ brought a fog machine), she’s always had a knack for bringing people together and making it memorable.
In college, she hosted everything from sorority formals to nonprofit fundraisers, and today her experience spans hundreds of nonprofit and corporate events, concerts, festivals, and more weddings, birthdays, reunions and showers than she can count.
If you're looking for an event planner with an eye for detail, a heart for people, and just the right amount of bossiness to keep things running like clockwork, Summer’s your girl.
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