Wedding anniversaries commemorate your mutual declaration of love and fidelity witnessed by family and friends at your wedding. Whether it’s your first, third, or fiftieth wedding anniversary, it’s important to remember and celebrate this special day.

History of Wedding Anniversaries

Observing wedding anniversaries with special gifts has been in practice since medieval times, although only the 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries were celebrated. In fact, the association of silver with the 25th wedding anniversary and gold with the 50th dates back to the Germanic regions of Europe. Some say the husband would present his wife with a silver garland after 25 years together or a gold one after 50 years. Others argue that friends of the wife would give her a silver wreath on her 25th wedding anniversary and a gold wreath on her 50th wedding anniversary.

Most credit the detailed anniversary gift list to the Victorians because of their predilection to classify, catalog, and observe formal social customs. Although the 75th wedding anniversary warrants a diamond, when Queen Victoria celebrated her 60th anniversary of accession to the throne in 1897, she hosted a Diamond Jubilee. This is why diamonds are also suggested for a 60th wedding anniversary.

What to Include on Wedding Anniversary Invitations

When ordering your wedding anniversary invitations, there are certain elements that need to be included, regardless of what type of party you’re having. Formal or casual, big or small, printed or handwritten, wedding anniversary invitations must include: name of host(s) and guests of honor (if not hosted by the happy couple), what anniversary will be celebrated, location, date, time, and RSVP information.

If the party will be a surprise, definitely note this on the wedding anniversary invitation, as well as attire if formal, and theme details if it requires guest participation. Wedding anniversary invitations should typically be mailed 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time to allow guests ample time to respond.

Wedding Anniversary Invitation Tips and Ideas

Today, any wedding anniversary deserves a celebration, and what better place to begin than with wedding anniversary invitations? Any anniversary year can be accentuated with a photo wedding anniversary invitation. You could include a wedding photo or a “then and now” combination if you’re celebrating more than ten years together.

If you are celebrating your silver or golden anniversary, you might choose wedding anniversary invitations with silver or gold lettering, a silver or gold border or design, or make the wedding anniversary invitation paper silver or gold. This way, no guest will miss your impressive accomplishment.

A 60th wedding anniversary invitation might include white sequins, clear rhinestones, or white glitter to remind everyone it’s a diamond year. Or, you could have your own diamond jubilee, just like Queen Victoria, with thrones set up near the receiving line for guests to pay their humble respects. The couple could wear a tiara and gold crown so no one will miss the king and queen of the party.

Your friends and family witnessed your marriage, why not let them witness a joyful wedding anniversary celebration as you recommit to your partner until the next wedding anniversary arrives?

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Wedding Invitations vs. Wedding Anniversary Invitations

Before you can send wedding anniversary invitations to friends and family, you need to be married. Before you get married, you will need to send wedding invitations. With attention to detail and some creativity, your invitations will be perfect for the occasion you’re preparing to celebrate.

Purpose of Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations can reflect the personality of the happy couple, an aspect of the wedding destination, or highlight a theme. Wedding invitations indicate the level of formality the wedding will have, as well as informs recipients of the wedding details. Wedding invitations should include the name of the hosts (traditionally the bride’s parents), name of the bride and groom, wedding date, time, and location – as well as the time and location of the reception if separate from the ceremony.

Usually separate from the invitation will be response cards with stamped envelopes, making it simple for guests to RSVP. Optional enclosures include a site map or directions, travel information for out of town guests, reception cards, and pew cards.

Purpose of Wedding Anniversary Invitations

Wedding anniversary invitations indicate an anniversary is being celebrated, and they often reflect the personality of the couple through anniversary themes related to how many years they’ve enjoyed married bliss.

Wedding anniversary invitations, whether chosen for a large or intimate, casual or formal party, should include: name of host(s) and guests of honor (if not hosted by the anniversary couple), what anniversary will be celebrated, location, date, time, and RSVP information.

If you are planning a surprise party, note this on the wedding anniversary invitation. If the event will be formal and require black tie attire, or have a theme that requires guest participation, note these details as well.

Wedding Invitation Tips and Ideas

Wedding invitations not only provide recipients with the details of your wedding, but serve as a preview for what style your wedding will be. Traditional weddings might feature a simple, single pane wedding invitation style with a satin or organza ribbon attached at the top in one of your wedding colors.

A modern bride might choose a square wedding invitation or a tri-fold, incorporating a bold color scheme or pattern. For example, you might choose a steel gray wedding invitation with perpendicular deep pink stripes. If you want a romantic wedding invitation, you might select wedding invitations featuring a heart border, two hearts entwined in the background, or a die cut heart on the front. Another way to designate a romantic theme is with a floral wedding invitation featuring your signature blossom

Wedding Anniversary Invitation Tips and Ideas

Today, any wedding anniversary can be celebrated with a bang. Letting your anniversary year guide your wedding anniversary invitations is always a great choice. For example, a 10th wedding anniversary invitation might have a daffodil border with a wedding photo and a recent anniversary portrait to show how you’ve changed over the years. For a casual potluck party, you might ask guests to bring their dishes in an aluminum container, one of the 10th wedding anniversary traditional gifts for its ability to bend and twist without being broken.

As long as you understand the difference between wedding and wedding anniversary invitations, your affair is sure to be one to remember.