Author Belinda Letts (Wedding Belle).

Wedding anniversaries are symbolised by various objects or elements that increase in value as the year’s progress. These days even more so should be celebrated properly. The list follows for anniversary years and traditional symbol to give as a present. I have also listed the traditional flowers to buy for each Wedding anniversary. I have tried to incorporate some modern ideas to support local businesses in the beautiful Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and Melbourne. This article outlines what to buy a couple or partner for a significant anniversary. This includes first anniversary, third anniversary, fifth anniversary, tenth anniversary, anniversary, twelfth anniversary, fifteenth anniversary, twentieth anniversary, twenty fifth anniversary, thirtieth anniversary, thirty fifth anniversary, fortieth anniversary, forty firth anniversary and fiftieth anniversary,

They say the key to a good marriage is to keep dating each other, surprise each other and never take one another for granted! So, I recommend that too.

First Anniversary = Paper or cotton

This could be a paper gift, stationary or an art print. Look up local Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges businesses, galleries or artists to try and find the perfect gift to remember your big day only a year ago. Many local artists / painters may be able to sketch up a print of the venue you were married in. If you’re celebrating a friend’s wedding anniversary perhaps print out a poem / reading from their ceremony or write up a nice memory on paper you remember from their day.

First Anniversary Flower = Pansy

·         Third Anniversary = Leather

Leather represents flexibility and durability 2 important elements you need for a long-lasting marriage. Look up local Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges businesses and maybe buy a watch band, a wallet with a photo from your wedding, a belt, a leather keyring or bookmark with your wedding date engraved.

Third Anniversary Flower = Fuchsia

·         Fifth Anniversary = Wood

Wood symbolises the strength of your marriage bond. After being married in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges why not buy a barrel of wine from a local vineyard or cellar door.  Or other ideas are to plant a tree together. I even looked up wood sculptures in the Yarra Valley (chainsaw artists and wood carvers) and custom cheese boards. You could buy a beautiful sculpture for your backyard directly from an artist. For a custom gift you can try someone like “Yarra Valley Maker” or “Bushwood Creations”, or maybe drop into a local nursery.

Fifth Anniversary Flower = Daisy

·         Tenth Anniversary = Tin

This year I find trickier than other years to find a present but there’s heaps of cool ideas. Tin symbolises preservation and the ability to last through time. Made from copper and bronze tin does not rust & does not wear down. Tin can be tin art (soft metals made into art), vintage advertising tin as a wrapping of a present (like the old Arnott’s biscuit containers), maybe a coin you have kept printed with the year you were married or a customised number plate for a car or wall.  A modern version for the 10^th anniversary is diamond jewellery.

Tenth Anniversary Flower = Daffodil

·         Twelfth Anniversary = Linen or silk

Silk and Linen is luxury and comfort. Maybe put a modern spin on this and book a romantic getaway at a Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges hotel, homestead or cottage. No doubt they have a nice thread count on their sheets. Of course, otherwise you can gift each other some new bed spreads.

Twelfth Anniversary Flower = Peony

·         Fifteenth Anniversary = Crystal

Crystal represents clear and sparkling love between a couple.  Crystal home items might be a vase, a bell, a bowl/dish or an ornament. I really like Crystal Pendulums which are tools for spiritual heeling and inner growth. Support local Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges businesses, gift stores or markets to find one.

Fifteenth Anniversary Flower = Rose

·         Twentieth Anniversary = China

China is delicate and robust.  You can gift a china dinner set or teapot set as a forever keepsake. Look up local Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges kitchen & Homeware stores or gift stores. Alternatively you could book a lovely high tea in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges to celebrate your wedding anniversary. They often serve with gorgeous china teapots, china tea cups and sauces, plus you get to enjoy a day out together. What’s not to love.

Twentieth Anniversary Flower = Daylily

·         Twenty-fifth Anniversary = Silver

The 25^th Wedding Anniversary is a wonderful milestone and known as the Silver Anniversary! You could consider silver jewellery or an engraved keepsake that could become an heirloom. Why not make a trip out to the Yarra Valley or Dandenong ranges jewellers and have something made from scratch, or buy browsing through the window? You can even discuss things to Jewellers that are important as you as a couple and they can bring an artistic flair of ideas how you can incorporate that in a gift. Your Wedding Anniversary is special so this gift should also be.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary Flower = Iris

·         Thirtieth Anniversary = Pearl (or ivory)

Three decades married is worth celebrating, pearl represents beauty from within. A white pearl is a timeless gift there are more modern ways to get a little creative with this present. It can be pearl pendant, ring, bracelet, earring, necklace, brooch, or a custom-made set. Talk to a Pearl specialist in Melbourne.

Thirtieth Anniversary Flower = Lily

·         Thirty-fifth Anniversary = Jade or coral

With coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef endangered, many jewellers no longer make coral jewellery. So, unless you’re prepared to fly there and scuba dive off the magnificent Whitsundays or Cairns shores (highly recommend if you haven’t already). A Jade gift might be a safer choice with a gift. Although you can still buy a gift on “coral” colour. Jade is typically an emerald green colour and is believed to bring good luck. If you’re all jewelleried out, why not use the colours and speak to an artist. I really love the customised work in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong ranges like a custom vase, pot or sculpture for around the house.

Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Flower = no traditional assigned flower, so try something in Jade or coral colours.

·         Fortieth Anniversary = Ruby

Ruby is a popular gemstone because it’s rich colours and intense nature. This is the traditional gift for a 40^th Wedding Anniversary. You can add the gem to jewellery or within a frame, jewellery box.  You can also buy ruby red wine or gin in the Yarra Valley. Local Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and Easy Melbourne jewellers can help you celebrate your wedding anniversary by customising a gift to reflect the four decades married.

Fortieth Anniversary Flower = Nasturtium

·         Forty-fifth Anniversary = Sapphire

The traditional gift for a 45^th Wedding Anniversary is a sapphire. Like most stones you can incorporate a sapphire into jewellery, vases, cufflinks, bracelets, rings, photo frames or a jewellery box ect. Talk to a local Dandenong Ranges or Yarra Valley Jeweller that might be able to make something special for you. Sapphire is a bright blue, so some people might prefer to buy a gift in a homemade Yarra Valley or Dandenong Ranges gift in a bright sapphire blue colour to celebrate. You could also buy from a brand incorporating the word sapphire. A few that come to mind are “Sapphire & Moonlight Yarra Valley Tea” or “Fergusson Miss Sapphire Sparkling Brut NV Yarra Valley”. Or a gift box of a mixture of these items.

Forty-fifth Anniversary Flower = Blue Iris

·         Fiftieth Anniversary = Gold

Celebrating 50 years together is a magical achievement. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. Gold happens to be my favourite colour so this was an easy year to write about. Gold symbolises 50 years as it’s timeless. Of course, you can buy jewellery of any kind in gold. A watch, ring, cufflinks, bracelet, necklace or ring. You could buy a gold antique treasure for your home potentially as an heirloom for the next generations, and have it engraved. You can have a day at Menzies Creek Valley, 5 km east of Belgrave named after an early gold miner from the Emerald diggings during the 1860’s. You could treat yourself to a gold star experience with the best accommodation and quality produce & wine together in the Yarra Valley or Dandenong Ranges, the place you said “I Do”.

Fiftieth Anniversary Flower = Violets

Anniversary milestones should be celebrated traditionally, but why not put a modern spin on it? Thank you for reading this a far and for supporting local businesses in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. You can also include these presents in a renewal of vows, host a private dinner with your loved ones or enjoy the day just the two of you lovebirds.

If you have a local business that you feel could help create a wonderful anniversary gift, free to reach out to me via weddingbelle.celebrant@gmail.com with photos of gift ideas I can add to this blog post.