A wedding anniversary is the date when a wedding occurred. Couples may celebrate this day by honoring their relationship in private or with others. Some anniversaries, such as 25, 40, 50, 60, or 70 years of marriage, are often marked with special events or gifts. In certain cultures, milestone anniversaries have traditional names, such as "golden wedding anniversary" for 50 years of marriage. At these times, some couples may choose to renew their marriage vows during church services in different Christian groups, like the Evangelical-Lutheran Churches or the Catholic Church.
History, traditions and recognition
On a wedding anniversary, couples may choose to renew their marriage vows, which is often done through a church service offered in various Christian churches, such as the Evangelical-Lutheran Churches or the Catholic Church.
Associating a wedding anniversary with precious metals, such as "gold" for 50 years or "silver" for 25 years, has been recorded in Germanic countries since the 1500s. In English-speaking countries, the tradition of giving gifts for wedding anniversaries became more common in the nineteenth century. Over time, the list of gifts for each anniversary grew. For example, paper was suggested for the first anniversary, wood for the fifth, and tin for the tenth.
In the twentieth century, more businesses selling anniversary gifts led to the addition of more anniversaries to the list of suggested gifts. By the early 1900s, gifts such as 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 included. Today, gift lists cover every year up to the 50th anniversary and beyond.
In some parts of the world, couples may receive special recognition from government officials for important milestones. In the Commonwealth realms, couples may receive a message from the monarch for the 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries and for any anniversary after that. This is done by applying to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom or to the governor-general’s office in other Commonwealth countries.
In Australia, couples may receive a congratulatory letter from the governor-general on the 50th and all following wedding anniversaries. The prime minister, the Leader of the Opposition, local members of both state and federal parliaments, and state governors may also send greetings for the same anniversaries.
In Canada, couples may receive a message from the governor-general for the 50th anniversary and every fifth anniversary after that.
In the United States, couples may receive an anniversary greeting card from the president for the 50th and all following anniversaries.
Catholics may apply for a papal blessing through their local church office for wedding anniversaries of special importance, such as the 25th, 50th, 60th, and others.
Commercial gifts
Some important anniversaries have names that are linked to traditional or meaningful gifts, such as a silver or platinum jubilee. These gifts can be given by spouses or guests at celebrations, and they may also shape the theme or decorations of an anniversary party. The types of gifts vary by country, but certain anniversary years are now widely recognized across many nations. For example, many countries celebrate milestones in the reigns of English and British monarchs with special events called jubilees, which are often connected 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 into a finished item on the day of the celebration and given to the wife before two specific times of the year had passed.
In 1937, a group of jewelry businesses (now called Jewelers of America after a merger) created a longer list of anniversary gifts. This updated list included a gift for each year up to the 20th anniversary and then 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, a famous temple called Thirukadaiyur Temple holds special religious ceremonies for wedding anniversaries.
Flowers are also linked to wedding anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary.