ABC Of Weddings: Y Is For Years

The years fly by while yodeling and eating yoghurt until we are yearning to be youthful again.

Wedding anniversaries are one of the fun things you get to celebrate after your wedding. Each anniversary has a traditional and modern gift interpretation.

Anniversaries between the 15th-50th do not have traditional gifts associated with them (unless they end in 5) Each anniversary also has a flower and gemstone associated with it.

You can be as creative or as traditional as you want with the ‘guide’. Push the boundaries and have some fun with it.

Here’s some ideas to provoke your imagination for all those wedding anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together!

1st Anniversary

Traditional – Paper

Airplane tickets, a first edition book, photo book, a coffee table book, tickets to a theatre show, shares in a company, magazine subscription, personalised stationery, vintage map.

Travel Clock from Tiffany

Modern – Clocks

A grandfather clock, a fob watch, a gorgeous watch, travel clock, a sundial.

2nd Anniversary

Traditional – Cotton

High thread count sheets, a canvas painting, luxurious pyjamas, towels, bathrobes, rugs, hammock

Modern – China

A designer place setting, a gorgeous platter, a china ornament

3rd Anniversary

Traditional – Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

Modern – Crystal/Glass

Decanter, stemware, perfume bottles, designer glass jewellery, platters and vases,

4th Anniversary

Traditional – Linen/Silk

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, Tea towels

Modern – Appliances/Fruits and Flowers

Kitchen Aid mixmaster, still life paintings, fruit trees, floral perfume,

5th Anniversary

Traditional – Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

Swing Candelabra from Georg Jensen

Modern – Silverware

Jewellery, coasters, napkin rings, pens, money clips, cufflinks, candelabras, photo frames.

6th Anniversary

Traditional – Iron/Sweets

Screens, gates, candle sticks furniture, hand made iron work, garden ornaments, hearth accessories, decadent chocolates, chocolate tasting course, chocolate delivered for a year

Modern – Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

7th Anniversary

Traditional – Wool/Copper

Vintage washing copper, copper sauces, jewellery, copper bowls, coal scuttle, wool rugs, pashmina, tapestries, sculptures, wool quilt

Modern – Desk Sets

8th Anniversary

Traditional – Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops

Modern – Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops

9th Anniversary

Traditional – Pottery/China/Willow

Crockery, vessels, ornamental pottery, vases, handmade items from an artisan studio.

Modern – Linen/Lace

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, tea towels, sleepwear

10th Anniversary

Vera Wang Love Knots Cutlery from Peters Of Kensington

Traditional – Tin/Aluminium

Cutlery, saucepans, antique tin toys, lanterns, mirrors, pewter jewellery

Modern – Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

15th Anniversary

Traditional – Crystal

Modern – Watches

20th Anniversary

Traditional – China

Modern – Platinum

25th Anniversary

Traditional – Silver

Modern – Sterling Silver

30th Anniversary

Traditional – Pearl

Modern – Diamond