The years fly by while yodeling and eating yoghurt until we are yearning to be youthful again.

~

Wedding anniversaries are one of the fun things you get to celebrate after your wedding. Each anniversary has a traditional and modern gift interpretation.

Anniversaries between the 15th-50th do not have traditional gifts associated with them (unless they end in 5) Each anniversary also has a flower and gemstone associated with it.

You can be as creative or as traditional as you want with the ‘guide’. Push the boundaries and have some fun with it.

Here’s some ideas to provoke your imagination for all those wedding anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together!

1st

Traditional - Paper

Airplane tickets, a first edition book, photo book, a coffee table book, tickets to a theatre show, shares in a company, magazine subscription, personalised stationery, vintage map.

Travel Clock from Tiffany

Modern - Clocks

A grandfather clock, a fob watch, a gorgeous watch, travel clock, a sundial.

2nd

Traditional - Cotton

High thread count sheets, a canvas painting, luxurious pyjamas, towels, bathrobes, rugs, hammock

Modern - China

A designer place setting, a gorgeous platter, a china ornament

3rd

Traditional - Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

Modern - Crystal/Glass

Decanter, stemware, perfume bottles, designer glass jewellery, platters and vases,

4th

Traditional - Linen/Silk

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, Tea towels

Modern - Appliances/Fruits and Flowers

Kitchenaid mixmaster, still life paintings, fruit trees, floral perfume,

5th

Traditional - Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

Swing Candelabra from Georg Jensen

Modern - Silverware

Jewellery, coasters, napkin rings, pens, money clips, cufflinks, candelabras, photo frames.

6th

Traditional - Iron/Sweets

Screens, gates, candle sticks furniture, hand made iron work, garden ornaments, hearth accessories, decadent chocolates, chocolate tasting course, chocolate delivered for a year,

Modern - Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

7th

Traditional - Wool/Copper

Vintage washing copper, copper sauces, jewellery, copper bowls, coal scuttle, wool rugs, pashmina, tapestries, sculptures, wool quilt

Modern - Desk Sets

8th

Traditional - Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops,

Modern - Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops

9th

Traditional - Pottery/China/Willow

Crockery, vessels, ornamental pottery, vases, handmade items from an artisan studio.

Modern - Linen/Lace

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, tea towels, sleepwear

10th

Vera Wang Love Knots Cutlery from Peters Of Kensington

Traditional - Tin/Aluminium

Cutlery, saucepans, antique tin toys, lanterns, mirrors, pewter jewellery

Modern - Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

15th

Traditional - Crystal

Modern - Watches

20th

Traditional - China

Modern - Platinum

25th

Traditional - Silver

Modern - Sterling Silver

30th

Traditional - Pearl

Modern - Diamond

40th

Traditional - Ruby

Modern - Ruby

50th

Traditional - Gold

Modern - Gold

60th

Traditional - Diamond

Modern - Diamond

I was waiting until the professional photos were released before posting about the recent nuptials of Ellen DeGeneres and Geelong born and bred Portia De Rossi

Portia wore a pink ballgown style gown with a halterneck, while Ellen opted for pants and a flowly shirt. Both wore designs of Zac Posen

The couple wed at their home in an intimate ceremony with only 19 guests, sitting on pillows and officiated by their close friend, Wayne Dyer. The reception followed with a vegan meal and vegan red velvet wedding cake.

The wedding carried a lot of personal touches- Ellen’s mother hand-calligraphed the place cards and each guest received a vintage handkerchief before the ceremony.
They danced their first dance  to “Ribbon In The Sky” by Stevie Wonder. Portias enagement ringfeatured pink diamondsand with their diamond wedding rings, was designed by Neil Lane.Photos courtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and People

Xylophones were used for that extra touch at the Xmas wedding of Xavier and Xanthe.

~

Extras – not really an ‘X’ but we’ve put them in for you to Xerox in case you need them!

There are many ways you can give yourself a better sense of security on your wedding day if something goes wrong. Leaving yourself a lot of extras will allow for mishaps and allow you not to stress out over tiny details. The things so easily forgotten, the ‘doh!’ moments. There are also extras you can splurge on during your wedding day for a bit of extra fun.

Extra stationery- Extra invitations come in handy when you realise you’ve forgotten your Aunt Martha, extra placeecards and seating cards are a good idea in case plans suddenly change.

Extra time- Leave extra time in your schedule for anything that runs late on your wedding day. Leave extra time for makeup, extra time for photos, extra time for dancing!

Extra Confirmation- Don’t forget to confirm all of your vendors before the wedding. if you have a wedding planner (or even a Day Of Coordinator) they may look after this for you. Ensure they know the right details and scheduling of the day.

Extra information- Make sure you give as much information as possible to guests (especially if they are travelling) maps, directions, activities. Consider providing an open house to guests or planning activities such as golf or luncheons so out of towners are not left stranded.

Write up your own wedding contact list and schedule and distribute to important people within your wedding. This will save you from having to Google the florists phone number on the morning of your wedding.

Extra Ceremony Touches

Add extra information in the ceremony program or order of service booklet about the different traditions and ceremonies

Add rice, confetti or bubbles, doves or butterflies for a ceremony departure.

A sign at the entrance to the venue reminding guests to switch cell phones off.

Make sure you have a few umbrellas on hand for if there is any doubt of rain.

Photo by Brooke Schwab Photography

On a hot summer’s day provide water, parasols and fans to keep guests cool. In winter ensure there is adequate heating and consider soft wraps and hot drinks.

Ensure there is plenty of signage at your venue (especially if all events are held at the one place) for restrooms, the reception area and any other places the guests will need to know.

Extra Reception Touches

Children’s Table- If inviting young children, ensure you have provided them with a quiet child friendly activity to keep them happy during long speeches.

Buffets- Lolly or candy. coffee, chocolate, coffee, ice cream even a juice buffet are great ways to give your guests extra choice for food.

Bathroom Baskets- Provide miniature size versions of amenities such as band aids and tampons to help out guests.

Midnight Snacks- Extra food at midnight is the perfect way to keep guests appetite sustained and wake them up for the drive home.

Fireworks – definitely an ‘extra’ but they will add sparkle to a night time wedding. Permission will need to be obtained from local fire authorities.

Transport- Ensure everyone has a way to get home, whether you hire a bus or ask the venue to call cabs at the end of the night, make sure noone is left stranded! (your parents included as they may have travelled in the same car as you to the wedding)

Photo by Rae Lytham Photography

Sparklers- Consider a send off from your reception with sparklers or confetti

Thereafter- Don’t forget to have someone pick up items such as gifts, your special cake knife, your champagne flutes, leftover wedding cake and other personal items.

Extra Care

Emergency Kit

Have an emergency kit at hand. Visit sites like Bridal Survival site for kits with those little things you never thought that you might need for travel, the wedding day, for mums of the bridal party and more

Backup Plans

Ensure you have backup plans! These are essential if your wedding ceremony is going to be outdoors! Backup plans are also essential if you’re relying on a CD or Ipod for your wedding music.

For Your Honeymoon

If you’re marrying overseas or taking an overseas honeymoon make sure that you know the entry requirements for each country.
Take extra copies of your travel documents with you, and leave a copy of them at home with a trusted person.

Make sure that if you need vaccinations for your destination, you see your doctor and get them done well before the wedding.
Have contingency plans set up at home in case your credit card is stolen or you get stuck in a difficult situation. Make sure someone at home knows where you are.

Check out the Australian Smart Traveller Website for handy hints and requirements for the country you are visiting.

There’s moments captured on a wedding day which draw you in and make you feel all glowy and blissful.

Today’s Snapshot Sunday is from the wedding of Jonathan and Becca. I love the look of pure bliss on Becca’s face as she dances with her new husband.  The snapshot comes from US Photographer Ryan Phillips

Photo by Ryan Phillips Photography

Here Come The Newlyweds is a brand new show coming to Channel 9. They’re looking for recently married couples who know each other really well and want to test out their compatibility! You have the chance to win some big prizes!

Click here for the application form!