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Frequently Asked Wedding Anniversary Questions
Q.
Where to find all wedding anniversary types and how many years?
Q.
What does each material mean?
Q.
What can I do to make a 40th Anniversary special whilst remaining
inexpensive?
Q.
Is there a certain color that should be used to celebrate a 60th Anniversary?
Q.
Should gifts be opened at the celebration or should they be taken home and
opened later?
Q.
Does the couple the party is being given for give speeches?
Q.
Where would a person find a book on Wedding Etiquette?
Q.
Helping a person plan an anniversary party?
Q.
My problem is that I don't know exactly what our children are doing for us?
Q.
Should speeches be made by both partners or by just one?
Q.
When ordering a personalized gift should it have the date of marriage or the
number on it?
Q.
We are distant relatives. We are wondering about a gift. Do we need to take one?
Q.
Please help us find the right motif color for the 65th wedding anniversary?
Q.
I am looking for information on the 75th wedding anniversary?
Q.
What do you do for the 100th year Anniversary?
Q.
How do I convey requests for money to the guests?
Q.
According to protocol, should the children throw their parents an anniversary
party?
Q.
My mother hates silver! what are some optional gifts?
Q.
What do you call the female and male witnesses - attendant and groomsman?
Q.
If there is a complete list of anniversary gifts for every year could you send
it to me?
Q.
Is it okay to have the anniversary party several weeks before the actual
anniversary date?
Q.
Is there a traditional color for the bride of 50 years to wear?
Q.
We are renewing of our vows for our 50th anniversary, are there any
do's or don'ts?
Q.
If one of the children make a speech, what response should the parents make?
Q.
Is it proper to have a party at a later date; in the spring or possibly summer?
Q.
Who of the siblings is normally considered the "point person" for the
organization?
Q.
What is the proper way to ask for monetary gifts on an invitation?
Q.
Would it be proper to put on the invitation RSVP or proper to enclose a response
card?
Q.
I was just wondering what the 100th anniversary is?
Q.
I am trying to find a list of the names of wedding anniversaries?
Q.
I am looking for info on a 30th Wedding
Anniversary? Q.
Since most of my parent's siblings do not live near the area is it proper to
send them invitations to announce the event. I know they will not travel to it
but thought they should know about the celebration of this milestone. I just
don't want it to look like an invite or obligation for a gift. A.
Invitations are proper for an anniversary and should be sent out to those who
you would like to attend a celebration. I
assume this party has been discussed between all your brothers & sisters and
thus is not a surprise if they receive an invitation. (i.e. they are also not
planning an event) The invitation is to your parent's celebration and thus is an
invite to attend however it does not place an obligation upon them to purchase a
gift.
Q.
Sir could you please inform me where to find all wedding anniversary types and
how many years for each etc ruby silver gold and so on thanks A.
They are available from our web site here
Q.
Hi, I'm doing a research on the wedding anniversary materials. What I'm really
looking for is what each material means. Do they represent something in each
year. Please email me back if you have any information about the subject, or
where I can find this kind of information. Thank you. A.
I'm afraid I can't help you in your search for the meanings of the material
against the Anniversary. The closest I have come to this is the suggestion that
the materials are selected in the order that they would wear out. I have however
never had this collaborated by any research I have carried out.
Q
It will be my in laws 40th wedding anniversary.
What can I do to make it special and inexpensive? A.
Try our Thoughtful Suggestions page here
Q
Is there a certain color that should be used to celebrate a 60th Anniversary? A.
I’ve had a look at our reference material and cannot find a specific reference
to color for a 60th, the closest I’ve come to is Silver and White. This
however I cannot cross reference (I normally like to confirm it from 2 sources)
As it is the Diamond Anniversary, these colors do go with the Material.
Q
If gifts are given at a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party (although the invitation
says, No gifts), should they be opened at the celebration or should they be
taken home and opened later? A.
If gifts are given at the celebration it is down to the couple if they want to
open the gifts there or not, generally they are opened later however it is down
to personal taste.
Q
Does the couple the party is being given for give speeches?
A.
With speeches it is down to the type of celebration the couple are holding, if
they are having a repeat wedding breakfast then a formal speech would be
expected. If they were having an informal party then an informal speech would be
appropriate. Typically a speech of some type would be expected.
Q
Where would a person find a book on 50th Wedding Etiquette? A.
A book on etiquette is available from our web store here.
Q
I cannot tell by what is shown if the book that you are telling me about is to
help a person plan an anniversary party or what you are to do at them.
Since I am not planning one, it may not be what I am searching for.
If you know any more about the book, please pass it on. A.
The book I refer to is one I have in my library and I have found it a useful
reference. It covers both how to plan an Anniversary and etiquette, i.e. how to
behave, although it does have more content on planning.
Q
My problem is that I don't know exactly what our children are doing for us...we
do know they are having some kind of a celebration but we do not know the
particulars. SO, we want to be ready
for what ever comes up and not have "egg on our face".
I told them what ever they did, please state "No Gifts Please".
Q
……As far as a speech is concerned, I guess we will just play that by ear and
use common sense if and when the time comes that a speech is to be made...and
should it be made by both partners or by just one???
I don't know if this is going to be "fun" or not. A.
One thing to remember is it is you & your Husband’s Anniversary and hence
however you choose to approach the celebration will have to be accepted by your
guests. Typically, and especially after 50 years!, one of you could speak for
both of you however it is acceptable for both to give a speech if you would like
to. A point to note also is that as you have not planned the celebration I would
expect your speech to be a “Thank you for organizing this party….etc”
rather than anything further. I sense that you are worrying about this party and
I am sure this is not what you children want; perhaps you could have a word with
them now and tell them you are worrying they should be able to reduce your
fears. Above all this is a celebration thrown on you & your Husband’s
behalf and hence it should be enjoyable for yourselves. I hope you have a
wonderful time and the celebration is appropriate.
Q
I am trying to help my mother in law put together a
25th anniversary for my sister in law. I have one question. When ordering
a personalized gift like toasting glasses for the couple should it have the date
of marriage or the number 25 on it. I plan on putting their name on whatever I
purchase but need the advise on their wedding date or anniversary years to be
engraved. I plan on purchasing their glasses for the head table as well as guest
book, serving set for the cake etc. Everything I want to buy for this
anniversary has names and dates shown on them. A.
It looks like you have done a lot of planning for this celebration, I hope you
and your in-laws enjoy it. With regard to your question on whether to use the
wedding date or the number of years there is no prescribed etiquette however the
majority of gifts state the anniversary being celebrated i.e. 25th Anniversary.
I also prefer the anniversary or anniversary material (Silver in this case) as
generally it is an easier talking point to any one who would see it in the
future. i.e. someone will know instantly that they have been married for 25
years rather than have to work out how many years if there is a date on it.
Q
We are about to attend a 50th wedding anniversary. We are distant relatives. We
realize the 50th is gold. We are wondering about a gift. Do we need to take one?
Does it have to be gold? A.
Firstly, does the invitation give any clue, sometimes they say no gifts or
similar, if not then within your family circle when similar events go on are
gifts given?, is the event formal or informal? These may help answer your
question on whether they would be expected. As it is the 50th and as you stated
it is the Golden Anniversary this does not mean the gift has to be Gold it is
merely the symbol associated with the anniversary. Other gifts are available
such as celebration glasses, personalized gifts etc. that indicate the
anniversary and are not gold. Mementoes of the actually wedding are sometimes
good or even a photographic history of their life since the marriage. My
personal favorite especially for the major anniversaries is a bottle of fine
wine or champagne bottled in the year they got married.
Q
Please help us find the right motif color for the 65th wedding anniversary of
our grandparents. A.
I afraid I cannot help you with your question either as I have not been able to
find much details on the 65th anniversary. Most lists miss out the 65th for some
reason I have yet to discover. The only list I have found which contains a
material for the 65th is the Gem stone list which states Star Sapphire as the
Gem Stone associated with this Anniversary.
Q
I am looking for information on the stones/metals and/or colors associated with
the 75th wedding anniversary. A.
The 75th Anniversary has the following materials associated against it;
diamonds, diamondlike stones, gold. Source; Chicago
Public Library
Q
What do you do for the 100th year Anniversary? A.
A 100th Wedding Anniversary is a 10 carat Diamond anniversary and I would be
surprised to hear of couple achieving this feat. I assume you are talking about
a company's Centenary celebration which is slightly different although it is
still called a Diamond Anniversary.
Q
My sisters and I are throwing my parents a 30 year anniversary party.
My parents already told me that they do not want any gifts, but would
prefer money. How do I convey that
to the guests? A.
It is difficult to ask for money on invitations to an anniversary celebration. I
assume your parents have a specific goal for asking for money such as a holiday
or a specific gift. If this is the case then it is best to use this fact. i.e.
on the invitation state that your parents are saving for whatever.. and a
contribution towards this would be gratefully received.... or the most
appropriate gift....
Q
According to protocol, should the children throw their parents a party for their
50th anniversary? A.
Typically the earlier years are organized by the couple themselves, as their
children grow up then they may choose to organize a celebration for their
parents. It is not expected that
siblings should organize a 50th wedding anniversary and can be organized by the
couple or their children. The decision on whether to have a celebration, and
what type is very much a personal decision based upon the family culture that
exists.
Q
I am giving my parents a surprise 25th anniversary party but I have a concern
regarding gifts. my mother hates silver! what are some optional gifts i could
suggest? A.
I’m afraid I can’t help you much on this one, all roads seem to lead to
Silver on this anniversary. I thought that the Gem list for anniversaries may
show a different material however this was sterling silver.
One thing you could do is recreate the era when they got married and
theme gifts on that era. I make it the 70’s which would either be the Glam
Rock era or early Disco!
Q
We are giving our parents a 50th Anniversary and would like to know what we
should call the female and male witnesses - attendent and groomsman? A.
Most references refer to them as witnesses, which is not a bad term in itself as
this is mentioned right back to the birth of marriage ceremonies.
If they did some other function at the wedding then these titles would
also do.
Q
If there is a complete list of anniversary gifts for every year could you send
it to me. A.
For details of what materials are associated with each anniversary please go to
this page
Q
My husband's family has an annual reunion on the last Sunday in July. We would
like to have a surprise 50th anniversary celebration for his parents that same
weekend, as many of the guests will have to travel long distances, and we don't
want them to have to travel twice. The problem is that the actual anniversary
date is not until the end of September. Is it okay to have the anniversary party
several weeks before the actual anniversary date? A.
I think it may be a little early to celebrate their anniversary, is it not
possible to move the annual reunion to a few weeks later?. If you moved it to
the actual date then I think this would be a give away to your in-laws that
something was going on however if it was organized to be within 2 weeks of the
actual date then this would be more appropriate.
Q
Is there a traditional color for the bride of 50 years to wear? A.
As it is the Golden Anniversary the color is Gold, this doesn’t mean that the
outfit has to be all gold you could choose just accessories or anywhere in
between. One thing to remember however; is that it is your anniversary and thus
etiquette allows you to decide what you want to wear and how you would like to
celebrate.
Q
We are trying to plan a celebration and renewing of our vows for our 50th.
anniversary, are there any do's or don'ts to be consider, we
were married very young, so we are not really that old; still young at
heart. Are there any suggestions for this we
would like to do it the proper way. A.
There is not a fixed way to have a 50th celebration and it can be up to you, the
couple celebrating the anniversary, how you would like to celebrate. Even with
your decision to renew your vows can be done in many ways from a low key
celebration up to a re-creation of a full wedding breakfast.
Q
If one of the children make a speech, what response and toasts, if any, should
the parents make? A.
The replies you give to any speeches made are very dependant upon your family
circle & culture; this makes this a difficult question to answer with
certainty. Typically anniversary speeches follow along similar lines to a
wedding celebration and thus thanking those who organized the event and for the
people who turned up to join you in your celebration. One thing to bare in mind
is that it is your anniversary and thus you can choose how to respond.
Q
My parent's 50th wedding anniversary is coming up and I would like to have a
celebration for them but the weather is unpredictable (snow!!) in February and
wonder if it is proper to have a party at a later date; in the spring or
possibly summer. A.
You could move the celebration to a weekend near the date or move it around
other events however to move it a couple of months would take some of the gloss
off the celebration.
Q
Would it be proper to ask guests to contribute toward the party celebration
(food and drink) and a gift for my parents? A.
This is very much down to your family's etiquette. i.e. if these types of
celebrations occur in your family circle then there should be no problem in
doing this. Contributing to a gift can be a very good way of ensuring that a
suitable gift is given that your parents would like, this especially if you have
a good idea of something they would both very much like.
Q
My parents have a 50th wedding anniversary coming up.
There are 4 children in the family who might be involved in the planning.
Oldest, 2nd Oldest, Third Oldest, Youngest.
Who of the siblings is normally considered the "point person"
for the organization? A.
Typically it would go to the person best suited to take the role on. This may
depend on who could devote the time needed to organize the celebration.
Q
What is the proper way to ask for monetary gifts on an invitation for my parents
40th wedding anniversary. They do not want to offend anyone by asking.
How can this be placed on the invitation in a nice manner. A.
It's extremely difficult to ask for money on an invitation, most reference books
on Anniversary Etiquette say that you should never ask for a monetary gift.
One way I've seen round this and was successful was put on the invitation
the reason for money, e.g. They are saving for a holiday of a lifetime or what
ever the reason and that should you wish to contribute to this then there will
be a collection box at the celebration that they can contribute. At the
particular event I attended the box was placed prominently but discreetly in a
corner of the room and thus you did not feel you had to contribute.
Q
I am have a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for my parents in February. I
will be sending out invitations for this. It
will be an Open House at my parents' home starting approximately A.
As you are having an open house I think that an RSVP would be most suitable.
Depending on your Social cycle it may be appropriate to put a note after
the RSVP to say that it is to ensure that sufficient food is available
Q
My mother wants to have an anniversary celebration and was told that it was not
good manners to invite family. This
cannot be correct is it? A.
I’m not sure how this idea came about but it is not true. A lot of Anniversary
Celebrations are arranged by the family especially ones above the 25th. Wedding
Anniversaries can take the form of a intimate celebration for just the couple
right up to a full recreation of the original wedding with a blessing service in
church followed by a Anniversary Breakfast.
Q
Would you normally expect that it is the children of the anniversary couple who
would initiate a family celebration to honor their parents 40th anniversary? A.
A lot of children do instigate an anniversary celebration however it is not
expected that they should do so. As
it is the couple's celebration they have the choice whether to celebrate or not
and can organize their event or allow their siblings to take the lead.
Q
I was just wondering what the 100th anniversary is.
Any information you could provide would be helpful. A.
The 100th Wedding Anniversary is deemed a 10 Carat Diamond Anniversary, if it is
a business celebration then it is just a centenary celebration.
Q
I am trying to find a list of the names of wedding anniversaries and wonder if
you can help me. A.
Details of all Wedding Anniversaries can be found on our web site, this
page gives you a good starting point
Q
I am looking for info on a 30th Wedding Anniversary. Could you please help A.
Go here for full details
of 30th Wedding Anniversaries
If these do not answer your questions then please feel free to e-mail us and we will try to answer you question. |
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© Beacon Support Services Ltd. 2003.
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