The date of a wedding is commemorated on a wedding anniversary. Wedding anniversaries are a wonderful opportunity to commemorate the passing of another year in your marriage. It is about looking back on a year of maturing together and looking forward to the future, reuniting as a couple and remembering that special day when you committed to each other. Some of them have traditional names, like pearl anniversary for thirty years of marriage, ruby wedding anniversary for forty years of marriage, or golden wedding anniversary for fifty years. Depending on how many years you’ve been married, each wedding anniversary has a particular traditional meaning and present.
Married couples can commemorate their anniversaries in a variety of ways, whether alone or with family and friends, but many couples also believe in a set of rules on anniversary gifts. Gifts like paper for the first year, crystal for the 15th, silver for the 25th, and so forth may be part of the custom.
Historical Origins of Wedding Anniversaries
Although clear examples of ancient anniversary gifts are scarce, the tradition itself traces back to ancient Rome and medieval Germany. Historical records suggest that wedding anniversaries may have Germanic origins. In these traditions, men crowned their wives with a silver wreath for the 25th anniversary. For the 50th, they used a golden one.
One well-known example is the anniversary of German composer Richard Wagner and his wife, Minna, in 1861. For their 25th anniversary, Minna’s friends gave her a silver-spangled wreath. She later sent Wagner some of its silver leaves as a token of their celebration. Another account from 1843 describes a German silver wedding ceremony. At this event, husbands gifted their wives a silver crown, adding a ceremonial touch to the occasion.
How Anniversary Traditions Expanded Worldwide
Interestingly, these traditions did not stay confined to Germany. European settlers brought the practice of silver and golden anniversaries to New Zealand, where these milestones became special but rare events due to the limited life expectancies of the time. For instance, in 1874, life expectancy for Pākehā men was 48, while Pākehā women could expect around 50 years, with Māori life expectancies even shorter. This reality made it uncommon for both spouses to reach 25 or 50 years of marriage together.
However, as family life gained importance during the 19th century, celebrating earlier anniversaries also began to catch on. Each anniversary began to be associated with materials symbolizing the marriage’s growth—wood for the fifth, tin for the tenth, crystal for the fifteenth, and china for the twentieth. By the early 1920s, couples reaching their 75th wedding anniversary exchanged diamonds, a symbol which eventually also became linked to the 60th anniversary, perhaps because of Queen Victoria’s grand Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Similarly, during the Victorian era, the fifth wedding anniversary became associated with wood, where husbands would carve keepsakes for their wives.
The Rise of Modern Wedding Anniversary Traditions
As the 20th century advanced, commercialization spread these anniversary traditions widely. Sensing opportunity, the American National Retail Jewellers’ Association issued an anniversary gift list in 1937. This list provided symbolic gift ideas for each anniversary year. Since then, it has inspired many traditions for couples. Today, couples mark milestones with symbolic gifts like diamonds, flowers, or meaningful items. Each gift reflects the unique path of their relationship.
Many still celebrate 25th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries with friends and family. Some couples also mark personal milestones, such as their first date or move-in day. For those reaching major anniversaries in Commonwealth countries, special greetings are available. In the UK, couples celebrating the 60th, 65th, or 70th anniversaries can apply for a letter from the Queen. In Australia, greetings are possible from the Governor-General and other government officials. In Canada, the Governor-General sends statements for every 50th anniversary. In the United States, couples can receive a card from the President. Roman Catholic couples can request a papal blessing for 50th anniversaries and beyond. Wedding anniversaries have become significant, celebrated globally across many traditions and beliefs.
Wedding Anniversary Ideas
Giving traditional wedding anniversary gifts is not the only way you can celebrate your special day, there are also many different ways you and your partner can commemorate your wedding anniversary. One example is by sharing your favourite memories with each other. Whether it is your first or twenty-first anniversary, the two of you have gone through a lot together. Look back into these moments while you are out to dinner, having a spa night, or playing a game. Share humorous stories or reminiscences of wonderful memories, or recount the day you met.
Another way to celebrate is by giving your partner flowers, instead of or along with the traditional anniversary gift. Like the traditional gifts, there is also a list of flower kinds to gift according to the wedding anniversary years. For example, Carnation is suitable for the first anniversary, Cosmos for the second, Daisy blooms for the fifth, Daffodil for the tenth, and Rose for the fifteenth year. Yellow roses and violets are the two flowers that signify the 50th wedding anniversary. Both of these flowers, with their complementary colors, look lovely together and wonderfully symbolize a couple who supports and complements each other.
Wedding Anniversary Gift Recommendation
1. Luxury Two Dozen Red Roses
When it comes to anniversaries, roses are simply a must for expressing romance and affection. Two luxurious dozen roses make the perfect choice, whether as a striking centerpiece for a romantic dinner or as a heartfelt gift. Red roses add a touch of elegance, making the moment feel as magical as falling in love all over again.
2. Continuous Love
A teddy bear makes a classic yet heartwarming gift that will always remind your partner of you. Perfect as a sweet companion, this cuddly bear comes with a “Happy Anniversary” balloon, adding an extra touch of cuteness.
3. Gin & Treats Hamper For Her
Marriage often makes us forget the sweetness of those early moments of falling in love. Ease any troubles by celebrating your wedding anniversary and gifting sweet pink treats that symbolize love. With adorable packaging and delicious flavors, these delightful snacks are sure to brighten your mood and bring back those blossoming feelings.
