A wedding anniversary is the date when two people got married. Couples often celebrate this day by showing love and appreciation for each other, either in private or with friends and family. Some years, like 25, 40, 50, 60, or 70 years of marriage, are considered special milestones. In certain cultures, these years have traditional names, such as "golden wedding anniversary" for 50 years. At these milestones, some couples may choose to renew their marriage vows during a church service, which is offered by some Christian groups, including Evangelical-Lutheran Churches and the Catholic Church.
History, traditions and recognition
On a wedding anniversary, couples may choose to renew their marriage vows. This is often done through a church service offered by various Christian churches, such as the Evangelical-Lutheran Churches or the Catholic Church.
In Germanic countries, people have linked wedding anniversaries to precious metals like "gold" for 50 years and "silver" for 25 years since the 1500s. In English-speaking countries, the tradition of giving gifts for wedding anniversaries became more common in the nineteenth century. Over time, more anniversary gifts were added. For example, paper was suggested for the first anniversary, wood for the fifth anniversary, and tin for the tenth anniversary.
In the twentieth century, more businesses became involved in anniversary traditions. By the early 1900s, gifts like straw for the second anniversary, candy for the third, leather for the fourth, flowers for the seventh, linen for the twelfth, crystal for the fifteenth, and china for the twentieth were recommended. Today, lists of anniversary gifts include every year up to the 50th anniversary and beyond.
In some places, couples may receive special recognition from government officials for important milestones. In Commonwealth countries, couples can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries and for every anniversary after that. This requires applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or to the governor-general’s office in other Commonwealth countries.
In Australia, couples can receive a congratulatory letter from the governor-general for the 50th and all later wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition, local members of state and federal parliaments, and state governors may also send messages for these anniversaries.
In Canada, couples can receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary and every fifth anniversary after that.
In the United States, couples can receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all later anniversaries.
Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local diocese for wedding anniversaries of special importance, such as the 25th, 50th, 60th, and so on.
Commercial gifts
Some important anniversaries have names that are connected to traditional gifts, such as a silver or platinum anniversary. These gifts can be given by spouses, guests at parties, or used to create themes for anniversary celebrations. The types of gifts vary in different countries, but some anniversary years are widely recognized globally. For example, many nations celebrate the milestones of English and British monarchs with special events, which are also linked to precious stones or metals.
- 25th anniversary: silver
- 40th anniversary: ruby
- 50th anniversary: gold
- 60th anniversary: diamond
- 70th anniversary: platinum
In English-speaking countries, the gift for the fifth anniversary (wood) was carved on the day of the celebration and given to the wife as a completed item before the next two quarter days passed.
In 1937, the American National Retail Jeweler Association (now called Jewelers of America after a merger) created a longer list of anniversary gifts. This list included a gift for each year up to the 20th anniversary and for every fifth anniversary after that.
In South India, the 60th and 80th wedding anniversaries are celebrated with large events similar to weddings. In Tamil Nadu, the Thirukadaiyur Temple holds special religious ceremonies for wedding anniversaries.
Flowers are also linked to wedding anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary.