How to Congratulate Someone for a Wedding Anniversary
Isn't celebrating other people's love your favorite thing?
“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert
Start Here
A good place to start for inspiration is the tradition of different wedding anniversary gifts by year (see chart below).
If giving a toast, use personal examples or anecdotes. Storytelling is the best way to celebrate them in a personal way.
Start the toast by introducing yourself and your relationship to the couple.
Include expressions of gratitude and thanks in your toast.
Share anecdotes and praise about the couple's relationship and their qualities.
End the toast with well wishes, advice, or a toast to the couple's future.
Including relevant quotes or personal references can enhance the toast, but be mindful of the audience's understanding.
Practice your toast and consider bringing a written version with you.
Use clear and audible speech, and consider starting with an icebreaker to engage the audience.
Avoid inside jokes that may exclude guests, and be mindful of sensitive or awkward topics.
Do not mention any past difficulties leading up to the wedding day.
For the love of everything good and holy, keep your sentiments short and sweet.
If you’re not giving a toast, a simple card (handwritten is ideal), email or text message will do.
Acknowledgment is what this is all about. It’s lovely to show them you remembered.
Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year
The tradition of giving specific anniversary gifts by year dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe. Initially, these gifts were simple and symbolic, representing the couple's growing investment in each other and their relationship.
Middle Ages Origins: In medieval Germany, it was common for friends to give a wife a silver wreath on her 25th anniversary and a gold wreath on her 50th. These gifts symbolized harmony and were believed to bring good fortune.
Expansion in Victorian Era: The practice expanded during the Victorian era in England. As the society was quite obsessed with etiquette and social customs, the list of anniversary gifts by year became more detailed and elaborate. This period saw the addition of more anniversaries, each associated with a specific material or theme.
Modern Interpretations: In the 20th century, particularly in the United States, this list was further expanded and modernized. Retailers played a significant role in promoting and standardizing these lists for commercial purposes. Tradition is good business. This led to the comprehensive list we know today (see below).
Talking Points
Congratulations, <name and name>! I’m wishing you another year/decade of happiness.
You guys are the best and I’m so happy for both of you.
I hope you get some time to celebrate your milestone.
Wishing you all the happiness in the world and congratulations on your anniversary!
Love makes a house a home.
Congratulations! You've tangoed for years and you're still both in step!
You both share a very special love.
Wishing you every happiness as you celebrate the love you share.
Wishing you a beautiful day and many more happy years.
Youth may fade, but a lasting love grows more radiantly beautiful with each day.
May love always live in the home you share.
We wish you all the happiness the coming years can hold.
We're wishing everything wonderful to a wonderful couple.
Hope your special day is made up of sharing warm and happy memories.
Time has distilled the essence of your love.
Let space travelers discover new galaxies in the universe; I am content to marvel at the preciousness of your love.
May your love bring happiness to all your days.
May this special day be filled with joy, love, and laughter.
Wishing you a lifetime of love.
May all your days be filled with lasting love.
Love is when two hearts beat as one, as your two hearts have for the past years, with many more to come.
Let us celebrate the faithfulness of your enduring union—through good times and bad—in a world of ever-shifting change.
The love you share makes this day special.
May every year you share find you more in love with each other.
May your future be as happy and bright as your anniversary.
May today be as memorable as the day you were married.
May your anniversary be filled with treasured memories.
Wishing you a special anniversary and many more years of happiness.
All the best to you both on your anniversary and in the wonderful years to come.
May all your dreams come true on your anniversary and always.
May your love continue to grow with each passing year.
May the happiness of this day continue for the rest of the year.
May joy and happiness be yours today, tomorrow, and always.
How could you put up with each other for so many years? It must be love!
Wishing you sunny days and moonlit nights.
May the celebration of your love continue forever.
Wishing you much love on this special day.
Congratulations and best wishes to you both for the future.
May the love you share today bring you happiness forever.
Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, happiness.
May you share a wonderful day and a wonderful life.
Wishing you both continued love and happiness.
