Celebrating every wedding anniversary is a deep-rooted tradition that lets you celebrate the love and bond of every couple. Each anniversary marks a precious stage in life together and corresponds to a symbolic material, from cotton anniversary to the diamond anniversary.
In this article, we present the complete chart of wedding anniversaries, year by year, to help you better understand the meaning of each stage and celebrate these important moments.
📜 The history of wedding anniversaries: an ancient tradition
Wedding anniversaries have their origins in ancient traditions, dating back to Antiquity. This symbolic rite, observed around the world, was already practised by the Romans, who associated precious metals with the different stages of married life. The longer the union lasted, the rarer and more precious the material became.
In the Middle Ages, this custom was reinforced with the celebration of silver weddings (25 years) and gold weddings (50 years). These anniversaries represented the couple's resilience and prosperity, reflected in the use of silver and gold. Over time, each year was associated with a symbolic material, from the simplest, such as cotton or wood, to the noblest, such as emerald or diamond.
💍 Why celebrate every wedding anniversary?
Celebrating each wedding anniversary est bien plus qu’un simple rituel. 💖 C’est une façon de rappeler l’importance de l’engagement, de renforcer la complicité et d’ancrer des souvenirs inoubliables. Chaque noce symbolise une progression dans la relation, apportant sa dose d’amour et de résilience. Ce fil se tisse dès les premiers jours qui suivent la fête : notre guide revient sur les jours d’après, le temps de la retombée et le suivi des photos.
Silver weddings (25 years), golden weddings (50 years) and diamond weddings (60 years) are the most emblematic. However, even the earliest years of marriage deserve to be celebrated with care and tenderness.
Anniversaries chart: 📅 The complete list of wedding years and their associated anniversary names
| Number of years of marriage | Anniversary name |
|---|---|
| 1 year | Cotton |
| 2 years | Leather |
| 3 years | Wheat |
| 4 years | Wax |
| 5 years | Wood |
| 6 years | Cypress |
| 7 years | Wool |
| 8 years | Poppy |
| 9 years | Earthenware |
| 10 years | Tin |
| 11 years | Coral |
| 12 years | Silk |
| 13 years | Lily of the valley |
| 14 years | Lead |
| 15 years | Crystal |
| 16 years | Sapphire |
| 17 years | Rose |
| 18 years | Turquoise |
| 19 years | Cretonne |
| 20 years | Porcelain |
| 21 years | Opal |
| 22 years | Bronze |
| 23 years | Beryl |
| 24 years | Satin |
| 25 years | Silver |
| 26 years | Jade |
| 27 years | Mahogany |
| 28 years | Nickel |
| 29 years | Velvet |
| 30 years | Pearl |
| 31 years | Tanned leather |
| 32 years | Copper |
| 33 years | Porphyry |
| 34 years | Amber |
| 35 years | Ruby |
| 36 years | Muslin |
| 37 years | Paper |
| 38 years | Mercury |
| 39 years | Crepe |
| 40 years | Emerald |
| 41 years | Iron |
| 42 years | Mother-of-pearl |
| 43 years | Flannel |
| 44 years | Topaz |
| 45 years | Vermeil |
| 46 years | Lavender |
| 47 years | Cashmere |
| 48 years | Amethyst |
| 49 years | Cedar |
| 50 years | Gold |
| 55 years | Orchid |
| 60 years | Diamond |
| 65 years | Rosewood |
| 70 years | Platinum |
| 75 years | Alabaster |
| 80 years | Oak |
The most common practices to celebrate each important anniversary 🎁
- 1 year (Cotton) : Host a cosy dinner with soft textiles as a gift.
- 10 years (Tin) : Celebrate with a romantic weekend away.
- 25 years (Silver) : Renew your vows surrounded by your loved ones.
- 50 years (Gold) and 60 years (Diamond) : A family ceremony to mark the occasion.
Rent your equipment to elevate your celebration
To make every celebration unforgettable, we offer the rental of ceremony equipment for every type of anniversary. Whether you are hosting a large party or an intimate ceremony, we have a wide range of furniture, floral decoration, illuminations, table decoration and centrepieces. We also offer arch rental, of lecterns and any other element needed to create a magical, personalised atmosphere.
The most frequently asked questions about wedding anniversaries ❓
Each material symbolises the couple's growth and strength over the years.
It's not mandatory, but it's a beautiful occasion to rekindle the spark.
Thesilver (25 years), gold (50 years) and diamond (60 years) anniversaries are the most celebrated.
The oak anniversary (80 years) represents the ultimate longevity.
An intimate moment as a couple or a symbolic gesture is often enough to mark the occasion.
No, every couple celebrates as they wish.
To conclude with our ❤️ for celebrating every anniversary
Love is the golden thread that weaves the days and the years together, lighting up every shared moment. Celebrating each wedding anniversaryis offering a gift to time, reminding it how much every heartbeat matters. Each anniversary, from the most modest to the most prestigious, tells a unique story of commitment, tenderness and bond. Take the time to celebrate these moments, because they are the gems lining the path of a shared life.
