What the First Wedding Anniversary Symbolizes
The one-year mark of a marriage is a milestone couples observe in many personal ways, yet the customary label attached to it is the paper anniversary. Understanding where that tradition came from and how it can be marked offers plenty of options for celebrating.
By Kai Murphy
Paper symbolizes the first year of marriage.
Reaching the one-year point of a marriage is a meaningful occasion for a couple, carrying warm recollections that are still fairly recent. While partners choose all sorts of ways to observe this milestone, the customary name given to it is the paper anniversary.
Where the Tradition Comes From
Anniversary Ideas notes that tying particular materials to wedding anniversaries dates back roughly six centuries to Germanic Europe, where silver and gold became connected with 25 and 50 years of marriage. The first year, along with other anniversaries, only received its own symbol around 1875. Paper is understood to stand for the fragile quality of an early marriage, and it can also suggest the gaining of knowledge.
Possible Gifts
Using paper to represent a year of marriage might strike some as unusual, but it leaves room for a wide range of creative presents for the occasion. The Anniversary Ideas site suggests a wedding memory book, gift vouchers, concert tickets or even airline tickets, alongside more conventional choices like books and stationery. Another thoughtful option could be to wallpaper a room in your home as a surprise for your spouse.
Marking the Day
Many couples treat the first anniversary as a day to share with each other, whether that means a walk or a quiet dinner out. If you decide to host a party for friends and family, adding games that tie into the paper theme could be an enjoyable touch, for instance an origami challenge or a paper chain-making race.
