Wedding anniversaries by year: A guide to wedding anniversary milestones

Married couples exchange vows during the wedding ceremony and promise each other eternal love and fidelity. Wedding anniversaries are therefore the perfect opportunity to celebrate the couple’s marriage and vows. Depending on which wedding milestone is being celebrated, you can either spend a romantic evening together or throw an anniversary party with all your family and friends.

Each wedding anniversary has its own name and traditional gift associated with it. In this guide, you will find a small overview of all milestone wedding anniversaries by year, and you will also learn more about the different traditions. Get inspired by maybe trying out some of these traditions at your next wedding anniversary.

As each year passes by the traditions and gifts associated with the different wedding anniversaries become more meaningful and valuable. The first wedding anniversary is traditionally known as the paper anniversary. Whereas 70 years of marriage is celebrated as the platinum anniversary, and this is why it is symbolised by a durable precious metal. Below we have put together an overview of the most important wedding anniversaries by year so none of them will be forgotten:

After five years of marriage your love has continued to flourish and your marriage has grown stronger. The “wood wedding anniversary” symbolises the growing roots, which refers to the relationship becoming stronger and more meaningful over time.

There are many traditions associated with the wooden wedding anniversary: in some cultures, the couple wear wooden shoes and have their first dance just like at their wedding. In other cultures, wood chips are scattered across the entrance of the couple’s home. Knocking on wood is also said to bring good luck on the 5th wedding anniversary.

Your marriage could be described as beautiful and fragile as an ornate crystal vase after 15 years of marriage. The crystal wedding anniversary symbolises clarity and transparency needed for a successful relationship. However, crystal is a fragile and precious material, which reminds you to take good care of each other.

Traditional gifts for a crystal wedding anniversary are cut-glass crystal vases, bowls and glasses. Engraved crystal champagne flutes are also a good way to make an unforgettable anniversary toast.

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Bear in mind that...

Wedding anniversary celebrations don't have to be expensive or elaborate. A romantic dinner for two or a small family get-together are also nice ways to celebrate this special day.

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Elegant and beautiful, but also delicate: the 20th wedding anniversary is represented by china and therefore reminds you how precious your marriage really is. China needs to be handled carefully to be long-lasting - just like love.

High-quality china is a traditional gift for a 20th wedding anniversary. However, dinnerware or little figurines are always a good choice as a gift to celebrate 20 years together.

Pearls symbolise hidden beauty and purity, which is a meaningful reminder of the years you've spent together and the strong bond that you have maintained. Therefore, the 30th wedding anniversary is often called the “pearl wedding anniversary”. Unsurprisingly, pearl jewellery is a popular gift for a 30th wedding anniversary.

With its beautiful crimson colour, the ruby ​​truly represents your everlasting love. After 40 years together, your marriage is now rightfully compared to this precious gem. Some couples even add a ruby ​​to their wedding rings to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

The golden wedding anniversary is truly a magnificent milestone! After 50 years of marriage, your love is as valuable, everlasting, and radiant as gold.

The 50th wedding anniversary is usually celebrated in a big way. Often, family members organise a big celebration with friends and relatives for the "golden" couple. In some cultures, it is also traditional to hang up a golden wreath on the front door. Planting two fir trees in the name of the happy couple is also a tradition in some countries as it symbolises their eternal love.

After 60 years together, your marriage is as strong as a sparkling diamond. Not every couple reaches this remarkable milestone, therefore one of the rarest and most valuable jewels in the world symbolises the strong bond of your marriage. Your love is now as indestructible and everlasting as a diamond.

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Don't forget...

Even “small” wedding anniversaries deserve a proper celebration! Anniversaries can be a great opportunity to bring family and friends together to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

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Congratulations! After 25 years of marriage, you are now celebrating your silver wedding anniversary. Many couples are eagerly looking forward to this first big milestone. A silver wedding anniversary needs to be celebrated as your marriage is now just as precious and valuable as piece of silver.

Its traditional to throw a small party to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary with family and friends. In our guide, you will find lots of great ideas and inspiration for your silver wedding celebration: from invitations and gift ideas to decorations and tips on getting the perfect outfit.

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Don't forget to write your name on your silver wedding anniversary gift. Alternatively, you can also use a sticker. This way the happy couple will know who the present was from even if they get mixed up.

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https://www.myweddinganniversary.com/anniversaries/

(accessed on 18 May 2022)

https://www.theknot.com/content/milestone-anniversary-gift-ideas

(accessed on 18 May 2022)

https://www.eternityrose.co.uk/anniversary-gifts-by-year

(accessed on 18 May 2022)

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