What is a wedding anniversary and why do we celebrate them as part of Western culture? This is simply a celebration of the date a person’s wedding took place. They have traditionally been given names to indicate the duration of the marriage, such as the golden centenary to celebrate 50 years of marital union.
Official Recognition
Important wedding anniversary milestones now receive official recognition from various governments and heads of state. Not only does this show respect for long-lasting marriages that still exists to this day, but it also allows the celebrating couple to enjoy their moment in the spotlight with something a little special.
Official recognition in the British Commonwealth
The monarch on the throne at the time of a person’s 60th, 65th and 70th wedding anniversary can send a private message to the couple wishing them a happy centenary. However, this message will only be sent if a request is sent to Buckingham Palace in the UK or the appropriate Governor General’s office in other Commonwealth countries. Any centenarian after 70 will automatically receive a message from the monarch if an application is resubmitted.
In Australia and Canada, the Governor General will also issue a congratulatory note of his own on the occasion of the 50th centenary.
Official Recognition in the United States of America
In the US, a couple enjoying their 50th anniversary or any subsequent anniversary can receive personal wishes from the office of the president.
Official Recognition of the Papal State
Roman Catholic couples can receive a papal blessing through their diocese for significant wedding anniversaries such as 25, 50, 60 and 70 years. These papal blessings have to be requested ahead of time and will be approved by the Vatican in the Papal State.
Traditional Gifts
The names of traditional wedding anniversaries provide a rough guide to the types of traditional gifts spouses are supposed to exchange on their wedding day. Below is a list of some of the most important wedding anniversaries and the corresponding gifts:
The first wedding anniversary is the paper anniversary.
The fifth wedding anniversary is the Anniversary of Wood.
The tenth wedding anniversary is the Tin Anniversary
The fifteenth anniversary is the Crystal Anniversary
The 20th anniversary is China’s anniversary.
The twenty-fifth anniversary is the Silver Anniversary
Two of the most important centenary celebrations are the 50th and 60th, which are the Gold and Diamond centenaries, respectively. These traditional centenary gifts are believed to have originated in Germany, but it should be noted that centenary gifts and symbols have begun to change over time and the diamond is now a well-known British symbol for the 75th centenary.
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