Wedding anniversaries are a special occasion to celebrate the years of marriage for a couple. Each wedding anniversary year is associated with a specific material or color that represents the durability, strength and passion of the marriage. Knowing the traditional anniversary gifts and meanings for each year can help guide couples in choosing meaningful gifts, décor and celebrations.
Traditional Anniversary Colors by Year
The traditional anniversary color gifts by year are:
| 1st Anniversary | Gold |
| 2nd Anniversary | Red |
| 3rd Anniversary | Jade |
| 4th Anniversary | Blue |
| 5th Anniversary | Wood |
| 6th Anniversary | Candy/Iron |
| 7th Anniversary | Copper/Wool |
| 8th Anniversary | Bronze/Pottery |
| 9th Anniversary | Pottery/Willow |
| 10th Anniversary | Tin/Aluminum |
| 11th Anniversary | Steel |
| 12th Anniversary | Silk/Linen |
| 13th Anniversary | Lace |
| 14th Anniversary | Ivory |
| 15th Anniversary | Crystal |
| 20th Anniversary | China |
| 25th Anniversary | Silver |
| 30th Anniversary | Pearl |
| 35th Anniversary | Coral |
| 40th Anniversary | Ruby |
| 45th Anniversary | Sapphire |
| 50th Anniversary | Gold |
| 55th Anniversary | Emerald |
| 60th Anniversary | Diamond |
Each anniversary year color represents a different aspect of marriage – gold for lasting value, red for passion, blue for trust and stability, and silver or diamond for strength and durability. The increasing brilliance of anniversary gemstones symbolizes the growing bond between spouses over time.
Modern Anniversary Color Gifts by Year
In addition to the traditional anniversary colors, there are also modern and contemporary color gifts associated with each wedding anniversary year. Here are the modern color gifts by anniversary year:
| 1st Anniversary | Gold jewelry |
| 2nd Anniversary | Garnet |
| 3rd Anniversary | Jade |
| 4th Anniversary | Blue topaz |
| 5th Anniversary | Sapphire |
| 6th Anniversary | Amethyst |
| 7th Anniversary | Lapis lazuli |
| 8th Anniversary | Tourmaline |
| 9th Anniversary | Green garnet |
| 10th Anniversary | Diamond jewelry |
| 11th Anniversary | Turquoise |
| 12th Anniversary | Red garnet |
| 13th Anniversary | Citrine |
| 14th Anniversary | Opal |
| 15th Anniversary | Ruby |
| 20th Anniversary | Emerald |
| 25th Anniversary | Silver jewelry |
| 30th Anniversary | Pearl jewelry |
| 35th Anniversary | Emerald |
| 40th Anniversary | Ruby |
| 45th Anniversary | Sapphire |
| 50th Anniversary | Gold jewelry |
The modern list incorporates colorful gemstones associated with each wedding anniversary year. The gems often correspond to traditional anniversary colors, with ruby for 40th red anniversaries and sapphire for 45th blue ones. Diamonds feature for milestone 10th and 50th anniversaries.
Contemporary Anniversary Color Gifts by Year
For a more modern take, here are the contemporary color gift suggestions by anniversary year:
| 1st Anniversary | Clock |
| 2nd Anniversary | China |
| 3rd Anniversary | Crystal |
| 4th Anniversary | Electrical appliances |
| 5th Anniversary | Silverware |
| 6th Anniversary | Wood |
| 7th Anniversary | Desk sets |
| 8th Anniversary | Linens |
| 9th Anniversary | Leather goods |
| 10th Anniversary | Diamond jewelry |
| 11th Anniversary | Fashion jewelry |
| 12th Anniversary | Silk items |
| 13th Anniversary | Textiles |
| 14th Anniversary | Gold jewelry |
| 15th Anniversary | Watches |
| 20th Anniversary | China |
| 25th Anniversary | Silver |
| 30th Anniversary | Diamond jewelry |
| 35th Anniversary | Jade |
| 40th Anniversary | Ruby |
| 45th Anniversary | Sapphire |
| 50th Anniversary | Gold |
The contemporary list provides modern gift ideas like appliances, watches and desk sets associated with various anniversary years. Diamond jewelry returns for major 10th, 30th and 50th wedding anniversaries. The contemporary color codes offer unique and personalized options for couples celebrating their married years.
Anniversary Colors for Major Milestones
Certain anniversary years are associated with specific colors based on important marriage milestones:
| 10th Anniversary | Tin/Aluminum or Diamond |
| 15th Anniversary | Crystal |
| 20th Anniversary | China |
| 25th Anniversary | Silver |
| 30th Anniversary | Pearl or Diamond |
| 40th Anniversary | Ruby |
| 50th Anniversary | Gold |
| 60th Anniversary | Diamond |
– The 10th anniversary marks the first major milestone, represented by durable tin, aluminum or diamonds.
– The 15th anniversary crystal signifies the couple’s growing clarity and transparency with each other.
– The 20th china anniversary recognizes the strength and sturdiness of the union.
– Silver or pearl represents 25-30 years of marriage, indicating the relationship has matured and become more valuable.
– Ruby at 40 years denotes passion still burns.
– Gold or diamond for the 50th anniversary celebrates a milestone of lifelong commitment.
– Diamond at 60 years treasures a rare relationship enduring through life’s chapters.
How to Use Anniversary Colors
There are many creative ways to incorporate significant anniversary colors into the celebration:
| Decor | Use colored flowers, linens, candles, balloons |
| Table settings | Accent with colored plates, napkins, cups |
| Food/cake | Bake anniversary color into desserts, frosting |
| Beverages | Craft themed cocktails featuring the colors |
| Party favors | Give guests gifts in the anniversary hues |
| Attire | Wear outfits featuring the significant color |
| Photos/mementos | Take pics highlighting the colors |
| Jewelry | Exchange or wear gemstone jewelry |
| Keepsakes | Choose framed art, albums in the colors |
Incorporating anniversary colors throughout an event or gathering is an elegant way to honor the marriage. Photos and keepsakes can also commemorate the meaningful hues for years to come.
Most Popular Anniversary Colors
Certain anniversary colors tend to be most popular for major wedding milestones:
| Silver or White | 25th |
| Red | 40th |
| Blue | 45th |
| Gold | 50th |
Silver or white is commonly used for 25th anniversaries to denote a mature marriage. Red dresses, roses and rubies make a dramatic statement for 40th ruby anniversaries. Sapphire blue elegantly commemorates 45 years of marriage. Gold decor provides a rich, regal backdrop for golden 50th weddings. These colors beautifully represent an enduring marriage.
Choosing Meaningful Anniversary Colors
When planning an anniversary event, focus on colors with personal significance:
– Feature favorite colors or those with special meaning to the couple. Azure blue could reflect shared memories, or emerald green may be meaningful if he proposed in Ireland.
– Highlight colors from the original wedding – replicate floral arrangements, bridesmaid dresses, decor elements.
– Use birthstone colors to honor each spouse’s unique identity within the marriage.
– Select naturally occurring anniversary colors – silver for 25 years, gold for 50 years.
– Reference theme colors from early dating – restaurant decor on the first date, colors of a shared alma mater, favorite sports team hues.
Choosing anniversary colors with emotional ties showcases the couple’s history and makes the celebration deeply personal. The selected hues should reflect their love story and interests.
Anniversary Color Gift Ideas
Anniversary color themes offer great inspiration for meaningful gifts:
| Gold | Gold jewelry, champagne, metals, yellow flowers |
| Red | Ruby jewelry, red roses, wine, heart shaped gifts |
| Blue | Sapphire jewelry, blue flowers, ceramics, glassware |
| Silver | Silver jewelry, mirrors, crystals, gray flowers |
| Green | Emerald jewelry, plants, wine, green attire |
| Purple | Amethyst jewelry, scented candles, violet flowers |
Coordinate the color scheme with corresponding gemstone jewelry, flowers, decor items, clothing and more. Colorful gift ideas based on wedding anniversaries make the present even more special.
Conclusion
Wedding anniversaries represent an important milestone to honor the continuing love between spouses. Traditional anniversary colors each have their own special meaning and symbolism. Milestone years like silver 25th, ruby 40th and golden 50th anniversaries have particularly significant hues. Couples can incorporate personalized, meaningful colors into anniversary events, gifts and keepsakes. Using colors to commemorate a wedding anniversary makes the occasion much more memorable. Most importantly, the selected hues should reflect the couple’s affection and appreciation for each other as they celebrate their lives together.