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Celebrating a Wedding Anniversary: Traditional symbols and gifts
Wedding anniversaries are more than just calendar dates. They are milestones that mark a couple’s journey through life together. Whether you’re celebrating your first year of marriage or a golden 50th, wedding anniversaries are a heartfelt reminder of the journey a couple has shared.
Many couples mark the occasion with everything from romantic getaways to traditional gifts tied to each year. But where do these traditions come from, and how can you make each year feel special?
A Brief History of Anniversary Traditions
Wedding anniversary celebrations date back to the Holy Roman Empire, where husbands would crown their wives with a silver wreath on their 25th anniversary and a gold one on their 50th. In the UK, the practice of assigning a symbolic material to each year became more popular in the Victorian era and was formalised further in the 20th century.
Today, there’s a mix of traditional, modern, and even flower-based anniversary gift lists that many still follow.
Traditional UK Anniversary Gifts by Year
The traditional symbols for the first ten years of marriage.
1st Anniversary – Paper
Symbolising a blank page and a fresh start. Popular gift ideas include custom prints, photo books, or love letters.
2nd Anniversary – Cotton
Symbolism: Cotton symbolizes durability and the ability to grow stronger when woven together.
3rd Anniversary – Leather
Symbolism: Leather signifies protection and shelter in the relationship.
4th Anniversary – Linen
Traditional alternative fruit or flowers<
Symbolism: Growth, blossoming love, and natural beauty.
5th Anniversary – Wood
Symbolism: Wood is strong and rooted symbolising strength and stability.
6th Anniversary – Iron
Symbolism: Iron represents strength and resilience.
7th Anniversary – Wool or Copper
Symbolism: Wool for warmth and copper for luck and prosperity.
8th Anniversary – Bronze
Symbolism: Bronze blends copper and tin—teamwork and balance.
9th Anniversary – Pottery
Symbolism: Pottery is molded by hand, like a marriage shaped by time and care.
10th Anniversary – Tin
Symbolism: Flexibility and strength, yet not unbreakable – like marriage.
Traditional symbols for marriage through the decades.
15th Anniversary – Crystal
Symbolism: Clear, sparkling, and precious, representing transparency and beauty.
20th Anniversary – China
Symbolism: Delicate but enduring, like love that has lasted two decades.
25th Anniversary – Silver
Symbolism: Symbol of purity, strength, and enduring value.
30th Anniversary – Pearl
Symbolism: Pearls form over time—just like love deepens with the years.
35th Anniversary – Coral
Symbolism: Coral symbolizes longevity and protection.
40th Anniversary – Ruby
Symbolism: Deep love and passion, as red as the enduring heart.
45th Anniversary – Sapphire
Symbolism: Wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity.
50th Anniversary – Gold
Symbolism: A rare and precious milestone, symbolizing triumph and worth.
55th Anniversary – Emerald
Symbolism: Growth, peace, and renewal.
60th Anniversary – Diamond
Symbolism: Eternal love—unbreakable and brilliant.
After the 60th anniversary, celebrations tend to become more personal and less tied to official symbols. However, the following are often recognised:
65th Anniversary: Blue Sapphire
70th Anniversary: Platinum
75th Anniversary: Diamond (or sometimes called the Platinum Jubilee)
Whether you’re following traditional gift ideas or carving your own path, wedding anniversaries are a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate your journey together. Use these symbols not just as gifts but as conversation starters and shared goals for the year ahead.