Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts: 1-10 years sorted with Irish-Designed Gifts

A wedding anniversary is a milestone always worth celebrating and who doesn’t love celebrating? Research even shows that marking special anniversaries can actually strengthen relationships. Find the perfect gift for your loved one with our traditional wedding anniversary gifts guide.

We’ve all heard of the term ‘Wedding Season’ being used to describe the summer months, well that also means it’s ‘Anniversary Season’ too!

Did you know… August 7th is one of the busiest days of the Irish wedding calendar year? Also, July and August combined are the busiest wedding months with 25% of Irish couple choosing these sunshine months to tie the knot.

Celebrating an anniversary can be an opportunity to create new memories and lifelong traditions. It’s one day you can make your spouse feel really special.

So, although your anniversary might be a little bit away putting some thought into celebrating will make it all the more special.

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Symbols

Most people are aware that significant wedding anniversaries such as the 40th and 50th’s are linked with precious gems or metals, in this case like ruby and gold.

However, a little less well known is that lots of anniversaries have symbols and here we’ve listed the first 10, with a fresh take on some modern Irish gift ideas.

First Wedding Anniversary Symbol – ‘Paper’

Possibly the most romantic anniversary of all, the first wedding anniversary gift needs to be special. A bespoke fashion illustration capturing a bride’s wedding day style is a very romantic way of reminding a bride of her unique flair, figure and red carpet moment. Wedding Dress Ink artist, Audrey Vance creates these amazingly detailed illustrations from her Wicklow-based studio using watercolour paper and ink. Each one is lovingly made-to-order, you simply email the artist photos of the bride and allow 2-4 weeks. Rush orders are available when possible. See here to shop our wedding dress illustration range.

Click here to read more about Wedding Dress Inks’ first anniversary gift ideas

2nd Anniversary symbol – ‘Cotton’

What could be nicer than fresh bed linen? Irish company White and Green source their organic and fair-trade cotton from India, creating 300 thread count luxury sheets that wash and iron beautifully time and time again. Designs are timelessly simple. Double duvet set €169

 3rd Anniversary symbol – ‘Leather’

 There are beautiful leather bound notebooks available to mark this symbol, I know, but a lifetime gift would be this stunning leather unisex travel bag. Created by Co. Kildare-based company De Bruir’s, the craftsmanship, styling and quality is exquisite. They use a two tone aesthetic in a polished equestrian leather. Aviator Cabin Bag in two sizes and two colours: €590 – €610

4th Wedding Anniversary symbol – ‘Fruit/Flowers’

For even less money than a bunch of flowers… yes I said less, why not consider choosing from the amazing range of luxury  fruity handmade soaps? There are so many soap makers out there and lots of options to pick from. They’ll last a lot longer than flowers or a fruit basket. Looking at a cute gift set from Baressential, an Irish artisan skincare company? Eight mini sized handmade mild soap bars made using traditional techniques and 100% natural ingredients like lavender, grapefruit, cedar, lemongrass and chamomile. Prices from €15

5th Wedding Anniversary symbol – ‘Wood’ 

I’m offering two ideas here.

The first is a personally inscribed Irish wood cheese board made by Bunbury in Lisnavagh Estate, Co. Carlow. Costs from €29.50 – €49.50 plus personalisation.

The second idea is to buy a framed wedding dress illustration from Wedding Dress Ink, it’s a custom drawn illustration of the bride’s wedding day style framed in a lime-washed wooden Irish made frame. Ideal as a thoughtful anniversary gift, for €195

6th Anniversary symbol – ‘Candy/Iron’

Chocolate is described as ‘food for the gods’ and is one of life’s earthly pleasures. We use it to melt, dust, dip, dribble and coat. There are a few Irish luxury confectionery makers that come to mind but maybe you might try Irish Belgian chocolate maker Chez Emily based in Co. Dublin, who ship worldwide. ‘Candy’, otherwise known as confectionery in Ireland is certainly a treat worth doing well. A large box is €16.25

7th Anniversary symbol – ‘Wool/Copper’

 

For the outdoors couple who wish to picnic in style or equally for the chic homeowners take a look at these throws. Made from different wool mixes of lambswool, cashmere or mohair Avoca Handweavers have a long tradition, since 1723 of creating beautiful  blankets and throws. Lots of colours and options available. Costs from €79.95

8th Anniversary symbol – ‘Pottery/Bronze’

 

How about his n’ hers mugs from Arran St East pottery studio in Dublin? Described as architectural mugs, there are two shapes in each set – in and out – and are inspired by the colours of the Dublin’s Victorian Fruit and Vegetable Market. So simply pick your favourite colour – cabbage, potato, pomegranate lemon or pink grapefruit and enjoy. OR, what about a pottery class for two, creating memories and something to bring home! Espresso set for two is €50

9th Anniversary symbol – Willow/Pottery

Ireland has a long history of willow craft making. Joe Hogan has been making his durable, award-winning, natural willow baskets at Loch na Fooey, Co. Galway since 1978. Author, teacher, artistic collaborator and traditional basket maker, Joe makes his baskets to order. They are a lifetime addition to any home.

10th Anniversary symbol – ‘Tin / Aluminium’

 

Well, what else can come to mind but yes, you guessed it… a tin whistle! It’s certainly very Irish and if you grew up in Ireland you probably played one in school. But did you have a pink one? Possibly made cool by Andrea Corr, the humble tin whistle would certainly be a surprising 10th anniversary gift. This pink Feadog tin whistle comes in the Key of “D” with a fingering chart and International instruction sheet with several songs to get you started. Cost €7.25

Good luck choosing traditional wedding anniversary gifts. If you would like help creating the perfect gift give me a call and chat about creating a unique wedding dress illustration.

086-8036914

Wedding Dress Ink