Wedding Anniversaries and Their Names – A Guide to the Most Important Milestones
1st Anniversary – Paper
Symbolises the fragile and adaptable nature of a new marriage.
2nd Anniversary – Cotton
Represents the durability and comfort of a growing relationship.
3rd Anniversary – Leather
Signifies the strength and protection that have developed in the marriage.
4th Anniversary – Linen (or Silk)
Linen symbolises the connection and durability of the relationship, while silk adds a touch of elegance.
5th Anniversary – Wood
Wood represents the strength, durability, and deep-rooted stability of the marriage.
6th Anniversary – Iron (or Sugar)
Iron symbolises the strong and enduring nature of the relationship, while sugar highlights its sweetness.
7th Anniversary – Wool or Copper
Wool represents warmth and comfort, and copper signifies durability and resilience.
8th Anniversary – Bronze
Symbolises the beauty and strength of a well-crafted relationship.
9th Anniversary – Pottery (or Willow)
Pottery represents the moulding and shaping of the relationship, while willow is a symbol of flexibility and resilience.
10th Anniversary – Tin (or Aluminium)
Tin represents preservation and longevity, with aluminium being a modern alternative.
11th Anniversary – Steel
Symbolises the unbreakable and strong nature of the relationship.
12th Anniversary – Silk
Silk represents the smoothness and luxury that the marriage has achieved.
13th Anniversary – Lace
Lace symbolises the intricate and delicate nature of the relationship.
14th Anniversary – Ivory
Traditionally represents rarity and value, though it is often replaced by more ethical alternatives like opal.
15th Anniversary – Crystal
Crystal symbolises clarity and transparency in the relationship.
20th Anniversary – China
Represents the beauty and delicacy of a long-lasting relationship.
25th Anniversary – Silver
Symbolises the value and strength of a marriage that has endured for a quarter of a century.
30th Anniversary – Pearl
Pearls represent wisdom acquired through experience and the rarity of such a lasting union.
35th Anniversary – Coral
Symbolises protection and strength, as coral has been used in the past to ward off evil.
40th Anniversary – Ruby
Ruby represents the passion and love that still burns after forty years of marriage.
45th Anniversary – Sapphire
Symbolises the deep love and loyalty present in a long-standing marriage.
50th Anniversary – Gold
Gold represents the ultimate in value and durability, marking half a century of marriage.
55th Anniversary – Emerald
Symbolises the enduring nature of love, as well as renewal and growth.
60th Anniversary – Diamond
Represents the unbreakable and enduring strength of the marriage.
65th Anniversary – Blue Sapphire
Reflects the enduring loyalty and deep love in the marriage.
70th Anniversary – Platinum
Symbolises the rarity and value of such a long-lasting union.
75th Anniversary – Diamond (or Platinum)
Often marked again by diamond or sometimes platinum, symbolising a truly exceptional milestone.
80th Anniversary – Oak
Represents the strength, longevity, and deep roots of a marriage that has lasted eight decades.
Symbolises the fragile and adaptable nature of a new marriage.
2nd Anniversary – Cotton
Represents the durability and comfort of a growing relationship.
3rd Anniversary – Leather
Signifies the strength and protection that have developed in the marriage.
4th Anniversary – Linen (or Silk)
Linen symbolises the connection and durability of the relationship, while silk adds a touch of elegance.
5th Anniversary – Wood
Wood represents the strength, durability, and deep-rooted stability of the marriage.
6th Anniversary – Iron (or Sugar)
Iron symbolises the strong and enduring nature of the relationship, while sugar highlights its sweetness.
7th Anniversary – Wool or Copper
Wool represents warmth and comfort, and copper signifies durability and resilience.
8th Anniversary – Bronze
Symbolises the beauty and strength of a well-crafted relationship.
9th Anniversary – Pottery (or Willow)
Pottery represents the moulding and shaping of the relationship, while willow is a symbol of flexibility and resilience.
10th Anniversary – Tin (or Aluminium)
Tin represents preservation and longevity, with aluminium being a modern alternative.
11th Anniversary – Steel
Symbolises the unbreakable and strong nature of the relationship.
12th Anniversary – Silk
Silk represents the smoothness and luxury that the marriage has achieved.
13th Anniversary – Lace
Lace symbolises the intricate and delicate nature of the relationship.
14th Anniversary – Ivory
Traditionally represents rarity and value, though it is often replaced by more ethical alternatives like opal.
15th Anniversary – Crystal
Crystal symbolises clarity and transparency in the relationship.
20th Anniversary – China
Represents the beauty and delicacy of a long-lasting relationship.
25th Anniversary – Silver
Symbolises the value and strength of a marriage that has endured for a quarter of a century.
30th Anniversary – Pearl
Pearls represent wisdom acquired through experience and the rarity of such a lasting union.
35th Anniversary – Coral
Symbolises protection and strength, as coral has been used in the past to ward off evil.
40th Anniversary – Ruby
Ruby represents the passion and love that still burns after forty years of marriage.
45th Anniversary – Sapphire
Symbolises the deep love and loyalty present in a long-standing marriage.
50th Anniversary – Gold
Gold represents the ultimate in value and durability, marking half a century of marriage.
55th Anniversary – Emerald
Symbolises the enduring nature of love, as well as renewal and growth.
60th Anniversary – Diamond
Represents the unbreakable and enduring strength of the marriage.
65th Anniversary – Blue Sapphire
Reflects the enduring loyalty and deep love in the marriage.
70th Anniversary – Platinum
Symbolises the rarity and value of such a long-lasting union.
75th Anniversary – Diamond (or Platinum)
Often marked again by diamond or sometimes platinum, symbolising a truly exceptional milestone.
80th Anniversary – Oak
Represents the strength, longevity, and deep roots of a marriage that has lasted eight decades.