Anniversary Coming Up? Uphold Tradition With Wedding Anniversary Flowers by Year

True love stands by each other's side on good days and stands closer on bad days. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It represents a commitment, partnership and bond that goes beyond legalities and social contracts. Marriage (and its subsequent anniversaries) is a celebration of love, an affirmation of shared values and a promise of support and companionship through the curveballs that life throws your way.

If you find someone special enough to legally bind yourself to, it's worth celebrating. Marriage is a beautiful journey, and one way to honor the enduring nature of marriage is through the symbolism of anniversary flowers. Each year of marriage carries its own significance—whether it's your one-year anniversary or 50th. As such, there is a tradition of gifting your partner with specific flowers to commemorate each year's milestone.

Flowers have long been cherished as a means of expression, and it's no wonder that they play a central role in this time-honored tradition. Don't make the mistake of gifting your partner roses every single year (trust us—there's an anniversary year for that). Uphold tradition by following the appropriate wedding anniversary flowers by year.

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Wedding Anniversary Flowers by Year

1st Anniversary: Carnations

Carnations symbolize love, fascination and distinction—making them the perfect choice to celebrate a couple's first year of marriage. Carnations have been long associated with youthful, passionate love.

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2nd Anniversary: Cosmos

Cosmo flowers represent the harmonious and balanced relationship that is hoped to have developed by a couple's second wedding anniversary, reflecting their growing connection. Cosmo flowers symbolize harmony and joy, something all couples hope to have together.

3rd Anniversary: Sunflower

Bright and vivacious, sunflowers are associated with warmth and happiness. They are strong and robust in their stature, symbolizing the strong foundation of a marriage.

4th Anniversary: Geranium

Geraniums signify a comfortable and enduring love, showcasing the stability that has grown between partners by their fourth anniversary. They symbolize friendship, comfort and happiness in a marriage, which are all important qualities to uphold.

5th Anniversary: Daisy

Daisies may seem like simple flowers for such a big milestone in a marriage, but daisies represent the innocence and simplicity of love we all hope to have. Daisies serve as a reminder of the enduring purity of a couple's bond.

6th Anniversary: Calla Lily

The calia lily symbolizes beauty, elegance and the growth and deepening of the bond between spouses over six years of marriage. The graceful and sophisticated appearance of the calla lily represents the matured nature of the relationship and how well the couple has grown to complement one another.

7th Anniversary: Freesia

Many say that your seventh year of marriage is often the most trying. This is the year when many couples go their separate ways. Freesias symbolize e trust and faith, highlighting the fragrant sweetness of their enduring commitment.

8th Anniversary: Clematis

If couples have made it to their eight year anniversary, their bond is tried and true. Clematis flowers represent the mutual respect and admiration that have blossomed over eight years, showcasing the couple's growing interconnectedness. The clematis represents the linking of two minds.

9th Anniversary: Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise flowers are known for their striking and exotic appearance, making them a unique and equally fun choice for celebrating nine years of marriage! A bird of paradise plant represents faithfulness, thoughtfulness and having a good perspective on life.

10th Anniversary: Daffodil

Daffodils represent new beginnings and renewal, making them a fitting choice for a couple celebrating a full decade of shared adventures and growth. That is no small feat! Known for their bright and cheerful yellow blooms, daffodils symbolize bringing happiness and new beginnings into a new decade of marriage.

11th Anniversary: Tulip

Tulips are one of the most romantic flowers, so it's only fitting that they're associated with year eleven in a couple's marriage. Tulips bloom in the spring, and a couple is blooming into their next decade of marriage as older, more mature individuals. Celebrating with tulips reminds couples of their enduring love, prosperity and happiness.

12th Anniversary: Peony

With their lush and opulent blooms, peonies symbolize romance, beauty and prosperity. This important milestone represents a dozen years of shared moments, growth and unwavering commitment. Peonies serve as a reminder that love can continue to flourish with each passing year.

13th Anniversary: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are an emblem of longevity, fidelity and joy. Their blooms come in a wide range of colors, making them a versatile choice for this special occasion. In many cultures around the world, chrysanthemums are a symbol of royalty.

14th Anniversary: Dahlia

The 14th wedding anniversary is celebrated with the enchanting and vibrant dahlia flower. Dahlias are renowned for their stunning array of colors, intricate petal arrangements, and overall beauty. Dahlias come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, symbolizing the diversity and richness of a couple's journey together. These flowers are often associated with elegance and dignity.

15th Anniversary: Rose

The rose is a timeless classic, standing for romance, love, beauty and courage. After fifteen years together, your love has remained strong and unwavering. Roses have long been recognized as a symbol of passionate romance, making them a beautiful flower for this marriage milestone.

16th Anniversary: Statices

Statices, also known as limonium or sea lavender, are cherished for their beauty and symbolize remembrance, sympathy and lasting love. Just as statice is often used in floral arrangements to convey sentiments of comfort and remembrance, a 16th wedding anniversary is an occasion to cherish the memories made and the love that continues to blossom.

17th Anniversary: Red Carnation

The 17th wedding anniversary is celebrated with the passionate and symbolic red carnation. Red carnations have gorgeous, fiery hues that embody passionate love, admiration and affection for one another. Much like the vibrant and bold color of the red carnation, this anniversary signifies a love that has grown more as years have passed in their marriage. Carnations represent the beauty and complexity of a long-lasting relationship.

18th Anniversary: Your Choice!

There is no specific flower associated with the 18th wedding anniversary. Use this as an opportunity to wow your partner with their favorite flowers!

19th Anniversary: Bronze Chrysanthemum

It has been suggested that there is no true flower associated with a couple's 19th wedding anniversary. However, the bronze chrysanthemum has long been associated with the 19th-anniversary flower. Bronze chrysanthemums stand for excitement and friendship, an important reminder for the couple to continue having fun as they grow older together.

20th Anniversary: Aster

The aster boasts a star-like shape and represents patience. The name "aster" is derived from the Greek word for "star," referring to the enduring light that the couple has brought into each other's lives. The aster's resilience in various growing conditions mirrors the strength and adaptability of a marriage that has weathered life's challenges and triumphs.

25th Anniversary: Iris

Lilies are pristine and timeless flowers. These elegant flowers represent purity, devotion and grace. 30th wedding anniversaries are known as the pearl anniversary. Lilies come in various colors, and the choice of white lilies is particularly fitting, signifying the deep and unwavering devotion that has characterized their journey together.

40th Anniversary: Gladiolus

The ruby anniversary – or your 40th anniversary – is symbolized by the deep red and radiant beauty of the gladiolus flower. This flower symbolizes strength, love and integrity. The gladiolus is tall and sturdy, mirroring the resilience and growth of a relationship that has withstood the test of time – a test that many don't prevail.

50th Anniversary: Yellow Roses

Celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary is no small occasion! Often referred to as the golden anniversary, 50th wedding anniversaries are celebrated with yellow roses. Yellow roses not only represent the radiant beauty of the couple's journey, but also their unwavering dedication to one another. Just as gold is highly valued, so too is the golden bond between a couple who has spent half a century building a life together.

60th Anniversary: Orchids

The 60th wedding anniversary is referred to as a diamond anniversary, and its coordinating flower is none other than an orchid. Orchids are known for their timeless beauty and represent love, luxury and strength. No one can question the strength of your marriage if it’s lasted sixty full years! Orchids also symbolize rare and precious qualities, mirroring the rarity and preciousness of a marriage that has stood the test of time.

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