Wedding anniversaries: names, traditions and gift ideas
Author: Magdalena RabaWielki Dzień, a wedding decoration studio in the Tri-City
Every wedding anniversary has its own traditional name, taken from a material that symbolises the strength and maturity of a marriage. From the delicate paper anniversary to the unbreakable diamond, every year of marriage deserves a celebration. Below you will find a complete guide to wedding anniversaries, with gift ideas and ways to mark the occasion.
Wedding anniversary chart – from year 1 to 75
The tradition of naming successive wedding anniversaries goes back to the Middle Ages. In Poland the most common system is one in which every year (or milestone anniversary) is assigned a particular material. The more durable the material, the stronger and more tried and tested the marriage. Names can differ slightly from region to region, but the list below is the most widely accepted.
| Year | Anniversary name |
|---|---|
| 1. | Paper anniversary |
| 2. | Cotton anniversarycoming soon |
| 3. | Leather anniversarycoming soon |
| 4. | Linen anniversarycoming soon |
| 5. | Wood anniversary |
| 6. | Sugar anniversarycoming soon |
| 7. | Wool anniversarycoming soon |
| 8. | Bronze anniversarycoming soon |
| 9. | Pottery anniversarycoming soon |
| 10. | Tin anniversary |
| 11. | Steel anniversarycoming soon |
| 12. | Silk anniversarycoming soon |
| 13. | Lace anniversarycoming soon |
| 14. | Ivory anniversarycoming soon |
| 15. | Crystal anniversary |
| 20. | China anniversary |
| 25. | Silver anniversary |
| 30. | Pearl anniversary |
| 35. | Coral anniversarycoming soon |
| 40. | Ruby anniversary |
| 45. | Sapphire anniversarycoming soon |
| 50. | Golden anniversary |
| 55. | Emerald anniversarycoming soon |
| 60. | Diamond anniversarycoming soon |
| 65. | Iron anniversarycoming soon |
| 70. | Platinum anniversarycoming soon |
| 75. | Brilliant anniversarycoming soon |
Where do the anniversary names come from?
The symbolism of the materials mirrors the growth of a marriage. The early years are marked by delicate, fragile materials – paper, cotton, leather – because a young relationship is still taking shape. As the years pass, ever more durable materials appear: wood, tin, crystal, china. The milestone anniversaries refer to metals and precious stones: silver (25 years), gold (50 years), diamonds (60 years). The message is simple – over the years a marriage becomes more precious and harder to break.
In Poland three anniversaries are the most popular: the silver anniversary (25 years), the golden anniversary (50 years) (in Polish) and the diamond anniversary (60 years). These milestones are often celebrated with family and friends at a special lunch or a renewal of wedding vows.
How to celebrate a wedding anniversary
How you celebrate depends on the couple's own tastes. Here are the most popular ideas for marking another anniversary:
- A romantic dinner for two – at your favourite restaurant or at home by candlelight
- A weekend away – for example to a spa, the seaside or the mountains
- A renewal of wedding vows – especially popular for milestone anniversaries
- Trying something new together – a dance class, a wine tasting, a hot-air balloon flight
- A photo shoot – capturing your years together in professional photographs
- A family party – a lunch or barbecue with your nearest and dearest
Wedding anniversary gifts – how to choose
Traditionally, a gift should refer to the material assigned to the anniversary. For the first anniversary (in Polish) you give something made of paper (for example a love letter, a book or concert tickets), for the fifth anniversary (in Polish) – something wooden (a sculpture, an engraved chopping board or a wooden frame), and for the tenth anniversary (in Polish) – something made of tin (a tin candlestick or photo frame). Many couples, however, move away from tradition and choose a gift to suit their partner's interests – perfume, jewellery, electronics or shared experiences.
The most important wedding anniversaries in Poland
Although every year of marriage is worth celebrating, some anniversaries are particularly significant in Polish tradition:
- 1st anniversary – paper (in Polish) – the first year of marriage is a time of getting to know each other in everyday life
- 5th anniversary – wood (in Polish) – the marriage begins to build solid foundations
- 10th anniversary – tin (in Polish) – the first milestone anniversary, when the marriage becomes as lasting as metal
- 25th anniversary – silver – a quarter of a century together, one of the most important jubilees
- 50th anniversary – gold (in Polish) – half a century of love, the most famous marriage jubilee
Wedding anniversary wishes
Sending good wishes on a wedding anniversary is a lovely tradition. Your message can be serious and moving, or light and full of humour – it all depends on your relationship with the couple. Remember to refer to their years together, to celebrate the strength of their bond and to wish them many more years of health and love. If you are looking for ready-made inspiration, read our guide to wedding vows (in Polish) – many of the phrases will work just as well in anniversary messages.
Whichever anniversary you are celebrating, the most important thing is to spend time together and remind yourselves why you chose each other. Every anniversary is a chance to celebrate a love that grows deeper and more mindful with each year. Take a look at our guide to the honeymoon (in Polish) too – a romantic trip away is a wonderful way to mark an anniversary.