| This article explains the history and meaning | | | | daffodil (trumpet-shaped daffodils represent joy, |
| behind wedding anniversaries, offers some gift | | | | cheerfulness, and happiness). |
| ideas to celebrate the different milestones and | | | | Gift ideas include — personalised number |
| provides etiquette advice for holding an | | | | plate, engraved brushed aluminium frame or a |
| anniversary celebration. | | | | personalised teddy in a tin. |
| Wedding anniversaries are an ideal opportunity for | | | | 15th Wedding Anniversary - Crystal |
| married couples to celebrate their love for one | | | | Traditional gift material is crystal and the |
| another and remember why they decided to | | | | contemporary theme is watches. The relevant |
| marry in the first place. Historians have traced | | | | gemstone is ruby. Gift ideas include engraved |
| the origins of silver and golden anniversaries to | | | | crystal tankards, champagne flute and wine |
| medieval Germanic Europe, where silver and gold | | | | glasses. Appropriate colour theme is ruby red. If |
| garlands were presented by the husband to the | | | | flowers are to be given Roses are the |
| wife to celebrate the 25th and 50th years of | | | | appropriate choice. |
| marriage respectively. | | | | 20th Wedding Anniversary - China |
| Prior to 1937 only the first and major milestone | | | | The traditional theme is china and the modern |
| anniversaries had materials associated with | | | | theme is platinum with the gemstone being |
| them. In 1937 the American National Retail | | | | emerald. Recommended gift ideas include |
| Jewellery Association issued a more | | | | personalised anniversary plate, personalised trinket |
| comprehensive list of representative materials for | | | | box or dinner service. Relevant colour theme is |
| all the traditional wedding anniversaries for each | | | | emerald green or white and flowers are Lillies. |
| year up to the 15th Anniversary and then every | | | | 25th Wedding Anniversary - Silver |
| fifth year after that up to the 60th. This list has | | | | Silver gifts are given to celebrate this important |
| been continually updated by various commercial | | | | milestone wedding anniversary. The appropriate |
| companies over recent years and today | | | | flower is the Iris. Suggestions for gifts include a |
| celebrants can choose between the traditional list | | | | silver anniversary candle, engraved silver picture |
| as well as a contemporary list of anniversary | | | | frame or silver plated champagne flutes. |
| themes (which provides alternative modern-day | | | | 30th Wedding Anniversary — Pearl |
| suggestions such as electrical appliances!) | | | | The traditional material associated with this one is |
| Traditionally, gifts exchanged or given in the early | | | | pearls and the relevant flower is the Sweet Pea |
| years of marriage were practical household items | | | | with a green colour scheme. Ideal gifts include a |
| to aid the couple in starting a new home together | | | | pearl necklace or engraved mother of pearl |
| (an extension of the wedding gift). Luxury gifts | | | | trinket box. |
| tend to be given in the later years when the | | | | 40th Wedding Anniversary — Ruby |
| couple has already acquired things they need. | | | | Ruby is the theme for this wedding anniversary |
| The more cynical-minded might see the increase | | | | and the appropriate flower is the nasturtium. Gift |
| in gift value over time as an incentive to stay | | | | ideas include ruby jewellery or a bottle of port. |
| married! | | | | 50th Wedding Anniversary - Gold |
| The following section outlines the main wedding | | | | One of the big ones! Gold is the order of the |
| anniversaries, associated themes and provides | | | | day and the relevant flower is violet. Gift ideas |
| some useful gift suggestions. | | | | include any gold jewellery or perhaps a gold |
| 1st Wedding Anniversary - Paper | | | | hearts wedding anniversary album. |
| Traditionally the theme is paper which is supposed | | | | 60th Wedding Anniversary - Diamond |
| to symbolize the strength obtained from the | | | | Now it starts to get really expensive — |
| interlocking fibres. The modern take on this is a | | | | Diamonds! This is the first of two diamond |
| clock for reasons to do with timeless, eternal | | | | anniversaries, the other being 75 years. |
| love. The precious metals/gemstones associated | | | | 75th Wedding Anniversary |
| with the first wedding anniversary are gold | | | | The 75th anniversary is the original traditional |
| jewellery, pearls or peridot. The associated | | | | diamond anniversary with the 60th being added |
| colour is gold or yellow and the relevant flower is | | | | when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond |
| the orange blossom or pansy. | | | | Jubilee on her 60th anniversary of accession to |
| Gift ideas include a photo album, commemorative | | | | the throne in 1897. |
| newspaper, wedding day chart, personalised | | | | Anniversary Celebration Etiquette |
| poem, share certificate, movie/concert ticket, | | | | In the early years (say less than 15) the |
| photograph by a professional photographer, | | | | anniversary celebrations normally only involve the |
| subscription to a favourite magazine; have a star | | | | couple themselves, and often include an overnight |
| named after a loved one or a clock. | | | | trip or second honeymoon’. However, |
| 2nd wedding anniversary - Cotton | | | | in the later years, any children they might have |
| Traditionally cotton gifts are given because cotton | | | | may decide to organize the anniversary |
| has always been associated with prosperity and | | | | celebration for their parents. For milestone |
| durability. The modern gift theme is china. The | | | | anniversaries a party is usually the order of the |
| relevant gemstone is Garnet, and the associated | | | | day. It is not recommended to throw a surprise |
| colour is red. If you are going to give flowers | | | | party for a couple on their anniversary, because |
| then the go for Cosmos (which means modesty). | | | | not all couples will appreciate the gesture; it is |
| Gift ideas relevant to the cotton theme include a | | | | always better to discuss any plans with the |
| (personalised) bathrobe, towel or tee shirt, and for | | | | couple prior to the event, especially as they may |
| china how about a (personalised) trinket box, mug | | | | already have plans of their own. |
| or anniversary plate. | | | | Invitations to an anniversary party should be sent |
| 3rd Wedding Anniversary - Leather | | | | out at least four weeks in advance of the |
| Traditionally leather gifts are given based on the | | | | celebration. An invitation does not imply the |
| durability of this material being analogous to the | | | | need for a gift. Indeed many couples are |
| durability of your marriage! The contemporary | | | | uncomfortable about receiving gifts and often |
| theme is crystal or glass (not so durable!) | | | | request that no gifts are given by the guests at |
| If you are going to give your partner jewellery | | | | their anniversary, perhaps they feel they |
| then opt for pearl or jade. The relevant colour | | | | don’t really need anything or they may not |
| theme is white or green, and associated flower is | | | | want their guests to feel obliged. It is important |
| the Fuchsia (which means taste). | | | | that you try and respect their choice, but if you |
| Gift ideas for the third wedding anniversary | | | | insist on giving a gift, it is advisable to do so after |
| include leather wallet, handbag or briefcase, leather | | | | the event so as not to embarrass the hosts or |
| bound book, engraved vase, perfume bottle, wine | | | | the other guests who did not bring a gift. |
| or champagne glasses, engraved glass tokens or | | | | Generally it is not deemed good etiquette to ask |
| perhaps an engraved decanter. | | | | for a monetary gift although asking for a small |
| 4th Wedding Anniversary — Fruit/Flowers | | | | contribution towards a commemorative gift such |
| Traditionally fruit or flowers are meant to | | | | as a tree or sundial is a nice way of getting |
| symbolize a blossoming and fruitful relationship. | | | | around this. |
| Less romantic modern, albeit practical thinking, | | | | If traditional gifts are given it is normal for the |
| suggests giving electrical appliances! | | | | couple to open them later rather than during the |
| The relevant gemstone is Blue Topaz with the | | | | celebration, although again this is down to personal |
| colour theme is blue or green. If you’re | | | | choice. Personalised gifts make great |
| planning to give flowers then the suggested bloom | | | | anniversary gift ideas as the personal touch |
| is the geranium (which incidentally means folly or | | | | makes the present much more meaningful. If a |
| stupidity!) | | | | personalised gift is to be given it is often more |
| Some gift suggestions for a fourth wedding | | | | usual to include the number of years married plus |
| anniversary are cut flowers, a basket of fruit, and | | | | the couples’ names rather than the date |
| engraved glass flower token, rose bush, or shares | | | | of marriage. |
| in Apple Corp. | | | | The seating of guests at an anniversary party is |
| 5th Wedding Anniversary - Wood | | | | really down to personal taste although traditionally |
| Traditionally the theme of the fifth wedding | | | | the oldest son sits beside his mother and the |
| anniversary is wood which symbolizes a strong | | | | eldest daughter beside her father with the best |
| and long lasting marriage. The modern gift theme | | | | man or maid of honor from the couple's wedding |
| is silverware. The relevant gemstone is sapphire | | | | day and with their respective spouses also seated |
| and the appropriate colour theme is blue, pink and | | | | at the main table. |
| turquoise. The flower you are supposed to give | | | | Typically a short speech of some type is |
| is the daisy which represents innocence and love. | | | | expected even at a very informal affair. Often |
| Suggested gift ideas include planting a tree, a | | | | one of the children says a few complimentary |
| personalised jigsaw, personalised wine box, | | | | words about their parents and this is followed by |
| wooden commemorative plaque, photo | | | | a response by one or both members of the |
| personalised coasters or placemats | | | | couple in order to thanks the organizers etc. |
| 10th Wedding Anniversary — Tin/Aluminium | | | | Above all, any wedding anniversary celebration is |
| Traditional materials are tin or aluminium | | | | a celebration of a couple’s love for one |
| symbolizing the flexibility and malleability of a good | | | | another and can be as large or small, formal or |
| relationship. The contemporary theme and | | | | informal and private or shared as you want it to |
| gemstone is diamond. The relevant colour is | | | | be. |
| silver or blue and the appropriate flower is the | | | | |