Wedding anniversaries are full of lovely little traditions, and I have always loved the idea that each year of marriage has its own symbolic gift. Some are romantic, some are practical, and some are charmingly old-fashioned in the best possible way.
If you are wondering what to buy for a wedding anniversary, this guide will help you match the year with its traditional gift, modern symbol and anniversary flower. You can use the list as inspiration for a thoughtful present, a meaningful bouquet, or a little personal touch to add to your card message.
Milestone anniversaries can be celebrated with flowers styled in traditional colours, such as silver for 25 years, gold for 50 years and diamond white for 60 years.
Of course, you do not have to follow the list exactly. Flowers, plants, chocolates and gift baskets are always beautiful anniversary gifts, especially when they are chosen in colours or styles that suit the couple. If you would like to send flowers or gifts now, you can browse our Wedding Anniversary Flowers and Gifts for Auckland delivery.
Here is a handy guide to traditional wedding anniversary gifts, modern anniversary symbols and the flowers linked with each special year. The flower meanings are where this gets really lovely, because every bloom tells a little story.
| Flower | Anniversary Year | Traditional Gift | Modern Gift |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1st Wedding Anniversary - Carnations Carnations symbolise young love, admiration and affection. |
Paper | Clocks |
 |
2nd Wedding Anniversary - Cosmos Cosmos are a sign of harmony, balance and a settled kind of love. |
Cotton | China |
 |
3rd Wedding Anniversary - Sunflowers Sunflowers stand tall and strong, symbolising loyalty, warmth and lasting happiness. |
Leather | Crystal or glass |
 |
4th Wedding Anniversary - Geraniums Geraniums represent happiness, comfort and friendship. |
Flowers and fruit | Appliances |
 |
5th Wedding Anniversary - Daisies Daisies symbolise loyal love, innocence and faithfulness. |
Wood | Silverware |
 |
6th Wedding Anniversary - Calla Lilies Calla lilies are elegant blooms symbolising purity, beauty and devotion. |
Candy or iron | Wood |
 |
7th Wedding Anniversary - Freesias Freesias symbolise thoughtfulness, trust and lasting friendship. |
Wool or copper | Desk sets |
 |
8th Wedding Anniversary - Clematis Clematis is a climbing flower, often linked with creativity, connection and cleverness. |
Bronze or pottery | Linen or lace |
 |
9th Wedding Anniversary - Poppies Poppies symbolise remembrance, imagination and dreams. |
Pottery or willow | Leather |
 |
10th Wedding Anniversary - Daffodils Daffodils are bright, cheerful flowers that symbolise happiness and high regard. |
Tin or aluminium | Diamond jewellery |
 |
20th Wedding Anniversary - Asters Asters represent patience, resilience and lasting love. |
China | Platinum |
 |
25th Wedding Anniversary - Iris Iris flowers symbolise wisdom, courage and faith, perfect for a silver anniversary. |
Silver | Silver |
 |
30th Wedding Anniversary - Lilies Lilies are graceful flowers linked with devotion, beauty and renewal. |
Pearl | Diamond |
 |
40th Wedding Anniversary - Gladioli Gladioli symbolise strength of character, sincerity and deep admiration. |
Ruby | Ruby |
 |
45th Wedding Anniversary - Blue Iris Blue iris flowers are linked with faith, hope and devotion. |
Sapphire | Sapphire |
 |
50th Wedding Anniversary - Yellow Roses Yellow roses symbolise joy, friendship and golden celebration. |
Gold | Gold |
 |
60th Wedding Anniversary - Orchids Orchids symbolise rare beauty, love and strength. |
Diamond | Diamond |
 |
70th Wedding Anniversary - Chrysanthemums Chrysanthemums symbolise cheerfulness, joy and a life well celebrated. |
Platinum or iron | Platinum |
The best anniversary gifts usually have a little bit of thought tucked inside them. You might choose something that matches the traditional symbol, something in the anniversary colour, or flowers that reflect the meaning of the year.
For example, a 5th wedding anniversary is traditionally linked with wood, so a natural country-style bouquet, a plant gift or flowers arranged in a wooden-style container can be a lovely nod to the tradition. For a 25th silver anniversary, soft white flowers with silver touches feel elegant and appropriate. For a 50th golden wedding anniversary, warm yellow and gold flowers are always beautiful.
And if you are shopping at the last minute, do not panic. Flowers are wonderful like that. They can still feel personal, romantic and meaningful, even when ordered on the day. Best Blooms offers free same-day delivery in Auckland when you order before the daily cut-off.
Flowers have their own language, which is one of the reasons they make such special anniversary gifts. Each anniversary flower has a meaning, and you can use those meanings to add an extra layer of thought to your gift.
Carnations are often linked with young love, affection and admiration, making them a sweet choice for a first wedding anniversary.
Daisies symbolise loyal love and innocence. They are simple, cheerful and full of charm, which makes them a lovely flower for five years of marriage.
Daffodils are bright, sunny and optimistic. For a 10th wedding anniversary, they represent happiness, respect and the joy of growing together.
Iris flowers are linked with wisdom, courage and faith, making them a meaningful choice for a silver wedding anniversary.
Yellow roses are traditionally associated with friendship, joy and golden celebration. They are a beautiful choice for 50 years of marriage and a lovely way to honour a golden wedding anniversary.
For a ready-made golden anniversary floral gift, see our Golden Anniversary Gift Celebration Bowl, designed especially for 50th wedding anniversary celebrations.
Orchids symbolise rare beauty, love and strength, which feels very fitting for a diamond wedding anniversary. Sixty years of marriage deserves something graceful and special.
Some anniversaries are especially momentous, and these are often celebrated by the whole family. Parents, grandparents, friends and relatives may all want to send flowers or a thoughtful gift to mark the occasion.
For 25 years of marriage, silver is the traditional symbol. White flowers with silver ribbon, soft pastel tones or elegant blooms with a little sparkle make a beautiful silver anniversary gift.
Ruby anniversaries are rich, warm and romantic. Red flowers, ruby-toned ribbons and deep seasonal blooms are lovely choices for 40 years of marriage.
A golden wedding anniversary is a rare and wonderful milestone. Golden flowers, yellow roses, warm cream tones and candlelit arrangements are perfect for celebrating 50 years together.
A diamond anniversary deserves something elegant. White flowers, orchids, silver ribbon and sparkling accents can create a graceful floral gift for 60 years of marriage.
If you are choosing flowers for a special milestone anniversary, our florists can often add colours or finishing touches to suit the year. You can browse our full range of Wedding Anniversary Flowers and Gifts or tell us your anniversary year in the notes to florist section when you order.
Not every anniversary gift is sent from one partner to another. Sometimes the gift is from children, grandchildren, family friends or workmates to a couple celebrating a special milestone.
If you are choosing a romantic gift for your wife or partner, flowers, roses, pamper gifts, candles and chocolates are always popular. You may like our Gifts for your Wife collection for romantic flowers and thoughtful extras.
One romantic anniversary tradition we love is sending a bouquet with one rose for every year together. We have customers who do this every year, adding another rose as the anniversary number grows. A 10th anniversary might be 10 roses, a 25th anniversary could be 25 roses, and yes, we have even made beautiful 28-rose anniversary bouquets for very organised romantics.
It is such a simple idea, but it feels wonderfully personal. If red roses are your anniversary tradition, browse our romantic red roses and tell us your anniversary year in the notes to florist when you order.
If you are sending to both of them, choose something they can share and enjoy together. A bouquet with treats, a gift basket, a plant gift or a table arrangement can be a lovely way to say happy anniversary to the couple.
You may also like our Gifts for Couples range.
Best Blooms is an Auckland florist, and we deliver anniversary flowers and gifts across Auckland. You can order online, add your card message, and choose delivery to a home, workplace, retirement village, hospital or celebration venue.
For full delivery details, cut-off times and Auckland suburbs, please see our Auckland delivery information.
Traditional wedding anniversary gifts are symbolic materials linked to each year of marriage. For example, the first anniversary is paper, the fifth is wood, the 25th is silver, the 50th is gold and the 60th is diamond.
Roses are always popular for romantic anniversaries, but each anniversary year also has symbolic flowers. Carnations are linked with the first anniversary, daisies with the fifth, yellow roses with the 50th and orchids with the 60th.
The traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift is wood. A natural-style bouquet, plant gift or flowers presented with rustic textures can be a lovely way to nod to the wood tradition.
Yellow roses are often associated with the 50th wedding anniversary. Their golden colour symbolises joy, friendship and celebration, making them a beautiful choice for a golden wedding anniversary.
Yes, Best Blooms offers free same-day delivery across Auckland when you order before the daily cut-off. You can choose anniversary flowers, gift baskets, plants or romantic gift combos online.
If you have found the anniversary year and now need the gift, here are a few lovely favourites to send across Auckland. Choose romantic flowers, a roses tradition, or a bright bouquet to celebrate the happy couple.
Shop Wedding Anniversary Flowers and Gifts
Wishing you blooms, smiles and many happy anniversaries,
Jo :)
Jo-Ann Moss is the Creative Director at Best Blooms, an Auckland florist providing fresh flower delivery across the city. Jo-Ann writes about flower gifting, floral care tips, and how to choose the right bouquet for every occasion.
06 June 2024, 11:30 PM
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