Are wedding anniversary names the same in every country?

No. The tradition has European roots but developed differently by language and region — English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German each have their own list, and even within English-speaking countries some years are cited differently depending on the source.

Is there a name for every single year, or just specific milestones?

Traditionally every year has a name, but in practice most families only formally celebrate the well-known milestones (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 years) — the in-between years tend to go socially unnoticed.

Wedding Anniversary Names: What Each Year Means

Equipe MevliPublished on 2026-07-17

A wedding anniversary name is the traditional material or symbol associated with a specific year of marriage — paper for the first year, wood for the fifth, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th, and so on, representing the growing "strength" of the relationship over time.

Want to turn your guests into photographers? Create your event in 1 minute, no credit card required.

Create free event

Where does the wedding anniversary naming tradition come from?

The tradition traces back to medieval Europe and gained popularity in the 19th century, when associating materials with specific anniversaries became a social custom, especially among royalty and the aristocracy. The logic behind the material choices generally follows a pattern of increasing durability: fragile materials in the early years, sturdier and more valuable ones as the marriage matures.

The traditional milestone years, one by one

Year	Anniversary name
1	Paper
5	Wood
10	Tin (or Aluminum)
15	Crystal
20	China
25	Silver
30	Pearl
40	Ruby
50	Gold
60	Diamond

No more asking for photos in the group chat

With Mevli, every guest becomes a photographer and photos show up live — no app, no signup.

Try it free now

The most celebrated anniversaries: silver, gold, and diamond

Of all the milestones, the 25th (silver), 50th (gold), and 60th (diamond) anniversaries are by far the most widely recognized and celebrated, often with a family gathering or a larger party — they've become cultural shorthand for "a long, lasting marriage" well beyond the wedding tradition itself.

Why do the early years use such different materials?

The idea is to symbolize the natural fragility of a relationship's early stages (paper, cotton, wood) in contrast with the strength it gains over time. It's a reminder that, just like the materials, a relationship needs constant care in its early years to eventually become as resilient as the metals and gemstones of the later milestones.

How do you celebrate a wedding anniversary?

There's no fixed rule — anything from a quiet dinner for two to a full family celebration works, depending on the milestone and the couple's preference. A common practice is gathering photos and mementos from the original wedding and the years since, creating a "then and now" that highlights the journey so far.