Every wedding anniversary has a traditional theme, from paper on your first to platinum on your seventieth. This guide gives you the full traditional UK list, with gift ideas for the big milestone years.
The traditional UK anniversary list
| Year | Traditional theme |
|---|---|
| 1st | Paper |
| 2nd | Cotton |
| 3rd | Leather |
| 4th | Linen |
| 5th | Wood |
| 6th | Iron |
| 7th | Wool |
| 8th | Bronze |
| 9th | Pottery |
| 10th | Tin |
| 11th | Steel |
| 12th | Silk |
| 13th | Lace |
| 14th | Ivory |
| 15th | Crystal |
| 20th | China |
| 25th | Silver |
| 30th | Pearl |
| 35th | Coral |
| 40th | Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold |
| 55th | Emerald |
| 60th | Diamond |
| 65th | Blue sapphire |
| 70th | Platinum |
Lists vary a little between sources, especially for the early years. The milestone themes from 25 years onward are widely agreed.
Gift ideas for the milestone years
15th: Crystal
Crystal stands for clarity and transparency in a marriage. Clear, sparkling stones such as white topaz or a lab-grown diamond make a modern take on the theme.
25th: Silver
A silver wedding is the first major milestone. If you'd prefer something more lasting than silver, white gold carries the same look and wears beautifully for decades.
30th: Pearl
Pearls grow slowly, layer by layer, just like a long marriage. Pearl earrings or a pendant are classic choices. Shop pearl jewellery.
40th: Ruby
Ruby, the stone of passion, marks four decades together. A ruby eternity ring is a meaningful way to celebrate. Shop ruby jewellery.
45th: Sapphire
Sapphire symbolises faithfulness and is one of the hardest gems, ideal for a ring worn every day. Shop sapphire jewellery.
50th: Gold
A golden wedding is a true celebration. Solid gold jewellery, from a simple chain to a new band, is the natural gift. Shop gold chains.
55th: Emerald
Emerald green represents lasting life and love. An emerald pendant or ring makes a striking gift. Shop emerald jewellery.
60th: Diamond
A diamond wedding marks sixty years together, and in the UK couples can receive a card from the monarch on this anniversary. A diamond eternity ring is the traditional gift. Shop eternity rings.
The eternity ring tradition
Many couples mark a major anniversary, or the birth of a first child, with an eternity ring: a band set with stones all or half the way around, symbolising never-ending love. Choose stones to match the anniversary, such as rubies for 40 years or sapphires for 45. Explore eternity and half-eternity rings.
Tips for choosing an anniversary gift
- Match the metal to what they already wear, so the new piece sits well alongside their wedding ring.
- Add a birthstone for extra meaning. See our UK birthstone chart.
- Order early. Pieces made to order need time, so allow at least two weeks before the date.
Browse all our anniversary gifts.
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