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