The wedding anniversaries are numerous, but only a few of these are
habitually observed. Paper, wooden, tin, crystal, silver and golden are
the favorite ones, the others being so rare as to hardly merit being
included in the list.
The following complete list of the anniversaries, with the respective
dates of their occurrence, may be useful for reference:
First Anniversary Paper Wedding.
Second Anniversary Cotton Wedding.
Third Anniversary Leather Wedding.
Fifth Anniversary Wooden Wedding.
Seventh Anniversary Woolen Wedding.
Tenth Anniversary Tin Wedding.
Twelfth Anniversary Silk and Linen Wedding.
Fifteenth Anniversary Crystal Wedding.
Twentieth Anniversary China (sometimes Floral) Wedding.
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Silver Wedding.
Thirtieth Anniversary Pearl Wedding.
Thirty-fifth Anniversary Coral Wedding.
Fortieth Anniversary Ruby Wedding.
Forty-fifth Anniversary Bronze Wedding.
Fiftieth Anniversary Golden Wedding.
Sixty-Fifth Anniversary Crown-Diamond Wedding.
Seventy-fifth Anniversary Diamond Wedding.
It may be well to mention here that the twentieth anniversary is
considered unlucky to celebrate, or even to mention.
The manner of sending out invitations and accepting and refusing the
same has been fully described in the proper department, and a few words
only will be necessary as to the gifts and entertainment suitable on
such occasions.
Tin and Paper Weddings and some other of the earlier anniversaries
are usually occasions for happy frolics, and merry jests as to the
form the gifts will take, though the paper wedding gives place for the
presentation of elegant books, and a supply of fashionable stationery
that is sufficient to fill the family needs for a long space of time.
Suitable Presents.
The Wooden Wedding is a little more expensive in its demands, and the
gifts range from elegant _suites_ of carved furniture down to dainty
bits of hand-carving in the shape of panels and placques; and from
rolling-pin and potato-masher all the way up to oaken mantles, rich
with all manner of ingenious fret-work of design.
The Crystal Wedding may also show forth a glittering array of gifts
both ornamental and useful.
The Silver Wedding is, perhaps, the most important of all the wedding
anniversaries. This arises partly from the fact that it is most
generally observed, partly because of the value of its gifts, and,
more than aught else, because the date of its observance finds the
happy pair still in the enjoyment of comparative youth and with length
of days still before them. In the matter of presents it is almost
impossible to go amiss, since there is scarcely an article of use or
ornament from dining-room to reception-room and from the library desk
to my lady’s toilet table, that has not been made a thing of beauty and
a joy forever by the silversmith’s art.
The Golden Wedding, from the advanced age at which it occurs, has an
element of sadness in its celebration. The aged couple who stand so
near the brink of separation can have little of bridal joy as they look
back to the day when they stood before the altar in the first flush of
youth, with life before them, or as they look forward to the shortened
span of years that links them to their loved ones here. The gifts that
are laid before them should be fitly wrought of gold, since their love
has been as gold tried in the furnace of life.
If the family means are insufficient for numerous valuable gifts, let
all the friends “club” together and purchase some fitting souvenir for
the occasion. Golden-rod forms an appropriate floral decoration.
But, after all, the chief idea and the pleasure of this anniversary is
the gathering together of as many as possible of the relatives that yet
remain to greet the pair at this, the golden milestone of their life’s
journey.
Speeches and Congratulations.
The Diamond Wedding occurs so seldom, and is so much like the others
in the manner, if not the matter of its gifts, as to scarcely require
mention here.
The entertainment at these anniversary celebrations is very much the
same as at weddings or other gatherings. The refreshments may be served
at tables, or a “stand up” collation given. In this latter case, there
should be one or two tables set for the elders of the party.
At Silver and Golden Weddings presentation speeches are frequently
made by some friend, and at golden anniversaries a regular program is
oftentimes carried out. Anniversary poems are read, “The Hanging of
the Crane” recited, congratulatory telegrams from absent friends are
announced, and any old acquaintances present that can be persuaded to
say a few words of “ye olden times” are pressed into service. Good
taste, however, would seem to prevent any repetition of the marriage
service on such an occasion.
Cards in acknowledgment of bridal presents are worded in the following
fashion: MR. and MRS. GEORGE H. BRANDON express sincere thanks to ——
for the beautiful wedding gift. June 18th. 62 West 126th street.
An ultra-fashionable bride, supplying herself with several packages of
these stereotyped acknowledgments, has nothing to do but fill in the
name of the sender and thus avoid infinite labor.