Wedding anniversary

History, traditions and recognition

Associating a wedding anniversary with precious metals such as "gold" (50 years) or "silver" (25 years) has been documented in Germanic countries since the 1500s. In English-speaking countries, the tradition of associating gift-giving with wedding anniversaries became more prevalent in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, increased commercialization led to the inclusion of more anniversaries to a list of predetermined gifts.

In some parts of the world, couples can receive special recognition from government officials for particular milestones. In the Commonwealth realms, a couple can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversaries and for any wedding anniversary thereafter. This is done by applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or to the governor-general's office in the other Commonwealth realms.

In Australia, couples can receive a congratulatory letter from the governor-general on the 50th and all subsequent wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition, local members of both state and federal parliaments as well as state governors may also send salutations for the same anniversaries.

In Canada, couples can also receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary and every fifth anniversary after that.

In the United States, a couple can receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all subsequent anniversaries.

Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local diocese for wedding anniversaries of a special nature (25th, 50th, 60th, etc.).

Commercial gifts

Some significant anniversaries have names that suggest appropriate or traditional gifts, such as a silver or platinum jubilee. Gifts may be exchanged by spouses or given by guests at parties; they may also influence an anniversary party's theme or decoration. These gifts vary in different countries, but some anniversary years now have well-established connections common to many nations; a popular analogy are the numerous jubilees thrown to celebrate anniversary milestones in the reigns of English and British monarchs, all of which are also associated with precious stones or metals.

• 25th anniversary: silver
• 40th anniversary: ruby
• 50th anniversary: gold
• 60th anniversary: diamond
• 70th anniversary: platinum

In English-speaking countries, the fifth-year gift (wood) was cut on the day of celebration and then presented to the wife as a finished item before the next two quarter days had passed.

In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association (now known as Jewelers of America as a result of an organizational merger) introduced an expanded list of gifts. The revamped list gave a gift for each year up to the 25th and then for every fifth anniversary after that.

In South India, 60th and 80th wedding anniversaries are accompanied by large celebrations similar to weddings. In Tamil Nadu, there is a famous Thirukadaiyur Temple where special pujas are conducted for wedding anniversaries.

Traditional anniversary gifts

PLEASE NOTE: THE TRADITIONAL UK LIST BELOW IS ACCURATELY REPRODUCED FROM THE CITED EDITION OF 'PEAR'S CYCLOPAEDIA'. ANY CHANGE TO DIFFERING MODERN SOURCES—INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY THE PREVIOUSLY-CITED AND ERRONEOUS LIST ON THE DEBRETT'S WEBSITE—WILL BE REGARDED AS VANDALISM, AND TREATED ACCORDINGLY.

flower_gifts

Flower gifts

Flowers are also associated with wedding anniversaries up to and including the 50th anniversary.

References

References

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5. (31 August 2023). "Anniversary messages". The Royal Household.
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7. "Invite the Governor General". The Governor General of Canada.
8. "White House Greeting".
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10. "To Request a Papal Blessing". The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, Office of the Bishop.
11. "Hospitality Linen Supplier".
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13. Lee, Cookie (October 2001). ''Wedding Anniversaries: From Paper to Diamond''. Ryland Peters & Small.
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16. ''[[The World Almanac and Book of Facts]]'', Mahwah, New Jersey: World Almanac Books, 1997.
17. ''[[World Book Encyclopedia]]'', 1997 ed., s.v. "Wedding Anniversary".
18. ''[[Pears Cyclopaedia]]'', 1978–79 edition, "Wedding Anniversaries". L128.
19. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/family-page/The-platinum-wedding-anniversary-of.3649394.jp "The platinum wedding anniversary of Jim and Gladys Till"]. ''Lancaster Guardian'', 8 January 2008.
20. [http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/1.223036 "Tenor and wife toast 70 years of marriage"]. ''North West Evening Mail'', 15 August 2008.
21. [http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/waterlooville-and-e-hants/Theyve-been-around-the-world.4368785.jp "They've been around the world in 70 years"]. ''Portsmouth News'', 29 July 2008.
22. Miller, Vikki. (24 May 2008). "Britain's longest married couple celebrate a quiet 80th anniversary". The Telegraph.
23. "The Queen and anniversary messages – Facts and figures".
24. Carlson, Tara. (May 5, 2017). "What is each wedding anniversary's flower?". [[1-800-Flowers.com, Inc.]].
25. (3 July 2019). "Here's which flower represents each year of your marriage".