by Hanami Dream | 9, November, 2017 | blog, inspiration, styled shoots
This festival wedding was a real break from tradition – full of alternative ideas for couples to get inspiration for their big day. It showcased an abundance of hanging greenery and was really tactile using different materials such as denim, macrame, paper, wood and terracotta details.
The colour palette had a 70s vibe full of Fall 2017 colours of a pale blue Bluebell, a soft Copper Tan coral, Navy Peony blue, brown and white. It was planned and designed by Hanami Dream and fantastically captured by Cat Stephens Photography.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-23.jpg)
On Sunday 17th September 2017, Cogges Manor Farm held a festival styled Wedding Open Day that Hanami Dream helped to organise. But this was not a traditional wedding fair – the Barn was dressed as if it were a real wedding.
Think dream catcher favours, festoon and ribbon drape lighting, oversized letter lighting, paper flowers, food van, chill out area and fire bowl. It was a different take from the norm to provide options and open people’s eyes to the huge spectrum of ideas to bring their dream to life.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-8.jpg)
For example, there weren’t any real flowers at this wedding. They were either paper flowers or house plants showing couples that they can achieve this look by making (or borrowing) things themselves – this is great for any diy wedding couples.
Plus, all the stationery was embroidered on to denim rather than traditional paper – menus were on the napkins, name places were sleeves around the milk bottle glasses, table plan labels were hung on Portuguese laurels plants.
It was a relaxed and informal open day showcasing a truly personal wedding option – not a cookie cutter approach at all. Take a look at some of the testimonials from the day.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-13-1.jpg)
Cogges Manor Farm was the ideal location for this wedding as it offers the perfect blank canvas to add personalised details. It is nestled in the lovely market town of Witney and offers two stunning seventeenth century barns as well as a beautiful walled garden, stunning grounds and an impressive Manor House as a remarkable backdrop.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-40.jpg)
The festival vibe was hailed from the entrance with impressive towering festival flags (from Event Flag Hire) – signalling the way to the party.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-38.jpg)
Couples walked in to the Wheat Barn down a tree lined aisle. The vintage mismatched chairs (courtesy of Linda’s Vintage Hire) were beautifully decorated with macramé chair coverings (from MacrAmy’s Macrame) and the Portuguese Laurels (kindly provided by Bampton Garden Plants) guided the way right to where the ceremony would take place under a stunning macramé backdrop (wonderfully created by MacrAmy’s Macrame) and framed by two beautiful olive trees (also from Bampton Garden Plants).
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-2-1.jpg)
One side of the barn was decorated as a seating area to enjoy a sumptuous wedding breakfast. The vintage tables and chairs (from Linda’s Vintage Hire) were laid out below an impressive array of trailing plants in spectacular hanging macramé holders (from MacrAmy’s Macrame) and under spectacular festoon lighting (from Oakwood Events).
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-20.jpg)
They were set with denim napkins (gorgeously embroidered by Little Pickle Creations) containing the menu, mini macramé favours (from MacrAmy’s Macrame), milk bottles (from Mabel & Rose) acting as drinking glasses with an embroidered denim name place (by Little Pickle Creations), placed inside were stripy straws (from Little Cherry), plus amazing natural biodegradable tableware (also from Little Cherry) – a perfect accompaniment to our street food reception.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-11-1.jpg)
The tables were also decorated with more terracotta pot plants and impressive paper flowers (from Pretty Big Flowers) that lit up for an incredible atmosphere.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-27.jpg)
The delicious ombre ruffle cake (by The Cake Element Bakery) echoed the colours of the denim stationery and sat beautiful on a vintage barrel (from Mabel & Rose) and amongst a display of framed absent friend photographs, crates and potted plants. The wonderful props from Mabel & Rose really brought the place to life and were dotted around adding features to every area including the bar which had a vintage tin bath and giant wooden barrels.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-34.jpg)
The other half of the barn was dedicated to the entertainment and dance floor – lit to accompany a party – including an impressive 7 square metre lit paper flower wall (constructed by Pretty Big Flowers).
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-29.jpg)
Over the dance floor hung a white chandelier adorned with coral and denim ribbons and a 4-point drape star that flowed to the dance floor (from Oakwood Events), along with 4ft tall light up LOVE letters (wonderfully contributed by Gilt Edge Events).
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-30.jpg)
There was also a chill out area complete with a comfy brown leather sofa, bales of hay as well as more vintage chairs (from Linda’s Vintage Hire). These were strewn with gorgeous lambswool wide-herringbone throws in mandarin and azure (from The Witney Blanket Hall).
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-32.jpg)
Outside the party continued with a firepit to sit around, garden games and chalk boards highlighting the events of the day.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-41.jpg)
On top of all this, there was delicious food to try (courtesy of Goujon Monkey) such as beer battered cod, Cajun breaded chicken and deep-fried brie, along with paprika dusted chips. Plus, cake tasting from The Cake Element Bakery, drinks from Firkin Mobile Bars, live music from Joely Rendle and Natalya Williams, owl ring bearer from J.E.T. Falconry, a fashion show from Rosie Red Corsetry, plus two workshops on how to make some of the décor that was on display, expertly delivered by MacrAmy’s Macrame and Pretty Big Flowers.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-6.jpg)
There was a real festival vibe with macramé, hanging plants, dream catcher favours, festoon and ribbon drape lighting, oversized letter lighting, paper flowers, food van, chill out area and fire bowl.
Thank you to all the wonderful suppliers that made this such an amazing wedding open day. It was lovely to meet excited couples in the midst of wedding planning – all the best with your special days!
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-42.jpg)
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Take a look at the fabulous suppliers that were involved in this styled shoot – Keeping it local with suppliers for the Festival shoot
And take a glimpse behind the scenes at the how the theme and designs came to life – Behind the scenes: Festival shoot
#keepitlocal
Planning & Design | Hanami Dream | www.hanamidream.co.uk
Photographer | Cat Stephens Photography | https://www.catstephensphotography.com
Location | Cogges Manor Farm | www.cogges.org.uk
Tree hire | Bampton Garden Plants | https://www.bamptongardenplants.co.uk/
Flag hire | Event Flag Hire | https://eventflaghire.co.uk/
LOVE light up letters | Gilt Edge Events | https://www.giltedgeevents.co.uk/
Food van | Goujon Monkey | http://www.goujonmonkey.com/
Chairs & tables | Linda’s Vintage Hire | www.lindasvintagehire.co.uk
Cutlery & crockery | Little Cherry | https://www.littlecherry.co.uk/
Stationery | Little Pickle Creations | http://www.littlepickle-creations.com
Props | Mabel & Rose | http://www.mabelandrose.com/
Macrame | MacrAmy’s Macrame | https://www.facebook.com/MacrAmysMacrame
Lighting | Oakwood Events | www.oakwoodevents.co.uk
Paper flowers | Pretty Big Flowers | https://prettybigflowers.com
Cake | The Cake Element Bakery | http://www.cakeelementbakery.co.uk/
Blankets | The Witney Blanket Hall | http://www.witneyblankethall.co.uk/
Delivery | Global 360 International Freight Forwarders | http://www.globalthreesixty.co.uk/
by Hanami Dream | 9, November, 2017 | blog, styled shoots
This festival wedding was a real break from tradition – full of alternative ideas for couples to get inspiration for their big day. It showcased an abundance of hanging greenery and was really tactile using different materials such as denim, macramé, paper, wood and terracotta details.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-13-1.jpg)
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Thanks to all these wonderful suppliers #keepitlocal
Photographer – Cat Stephens Photography
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Cat-Stephens-Photography-logo-300x300.png)
Award winning, Oxfordshire based wedding, family and lifestyle photographer. Full day coverage wedding packages available from £750
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_6851-300x300.jpg)
@oxfordshirephotography
![instagram logo](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/instagram-logo.png)
@catstephensphotography
Location – Cogges Manor Farm
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cogges-logo.png)
Cogges Manor Farm is nestled in the lovely market town of Witney and offers two stunning seventeenth century barns for weddings. They are a perfect blank canvas where you can add loads of personalised details to make your special day complete. Your wedding can be as individual as you are with your own choice of catering, furniture and decoration.
The magnificent and spacious Wheat Barn can seat up to 200 guests, with refurbished stone floor, and portable heating included in the cost of hire. The more intimate and adjacent Barley Barn can seat about 60 guests or is an ideal choice to use as a dance or ceremony area. Each barn can be hired separately, or as a combined hire. Cogges offers a civil ceremony license and is next door to Cogges Parish Church.
In addition to any indoor space you hire, you and your guests can use the charming outdoor space to wander and enjoy (and after 5pm you will have exclusive use of the site). Cogges has many perfect locations for your wedding photographs, such as the Manor House lawn, the walled garden or the orchard and you can even include the farm animals in your photos.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-40.jpg)
@CoggesWitney
@coggeswitney
@Cogges
@cogges
Tree hire – Bampton Garden Plants
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Bampton-Garden-Plants.png)
We are a retail nursery in Bampton, West Oxfordshire. We have a passion for plants and our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to help you find the plants or give you the advice that you require. We pride ourselves on having a fantastic range of plants small and large including beautiful home grown summer and winter bedding.
We also boast a fabulous café serving hot lunches everyday. The shop offers further products including hand tools, furniture, pots and planters and gardeners supplies area as well as gifts and our food shop, stocked with local produce.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-1-1.jpg)
@bamptongarden
@Bamptongardenplants
@bamptongardenplants
Flag Hire – Event Flag Hire
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventflaghire-300x150.png)
At The Event Flag Hire Company we design, manufacture, hire and install beautiful handmade flags, bunting and banners, perfect for your festival wedding. Our lightweight self-install telescopic poles and flags were designed to be a visually stunning but simple and cost effective way to decorate any venue. We also offer a full bespoke service which allows flags, banners or bunting to be made to a particular specification.
Our stunning flags and bunting will make your festival wedding stand out from the rest, plus we offer a 10% discount for weddings. All styles are available in hues of white and made specifically with weddings in mind. Alternatively our bright colourful silk flags will equally compliment a festival-themed wedding. We use over 70 colours of silk so can match any colour scheme.
Our flags and bunting hire represent a quick, effective and environmentally friendly way of creating a festive atmosphere. We have created simple wedding packages to make it cost effective for you to decorate your venue yourselves using our self-install flags and bunting. Prices include flags (style and colour of your choice), 6m telescopic poles and ground fixings, bunting and return next-day courier service direct to your door. All these packages are portable and will fit in a standard car.
We have been making flags for 15 years and keep coming up with unique designs to keep up with demand. Each flag is a unique work of art hand crafted to an extremely high standard in our Bristol Studio. We cover the entire of the UK and abroad so please get in touch where ever you are!
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-38.jpg)
@TheEventFlagHireCompany
@eventflaghire
LOVE light up letters – Gilt Edge Events
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gilt-Edge-Events.jpg)
Specialists in Bespoke Wedding Venue Decoration From Centrepieces to Flower Walls, Candy Carts to Starlit Backdrops, Garlands, Fairylight Canopies, Giant LOVE letters, Disco’s Grand Floral Arch and much, much more.
A Complimentary Design Consultation to transform your chosen venue into something magical for your big day. Working with you we can create the theme of your dreams, all installed & removed with the minimum disruption to your big event.
We can supply Starlit Backdrops, Table Decorations & Centrepieces, Chair Covers, Fairylight Canopies, Garlands, Grand Floral arches, Candy Carts, Sweet/ Dessert Dressers Flower Walls, Giant LOVE Letters and much, much more.
Karen, with many years experience as a fashion designer in London, combined with Phil, with a career in the Graphic Design, Signwriting and Event Industry will deliver a bespoke wedding, leaving you to concentrate on having the Best Day of your life.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-30.jpg)
@GiltEdgeEvents
@giltedgeevents
@giltedgeevents
Food van – Goujon Monkey
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/goujon-monkey-logo-300x143.jpg)
Goujon Monkey are an Oxfordshire based gourmet street food caterer offering traditional favourites with a modern twist.
They pride themselves on serving the finest quality street food available, using only the freshest ingredients. All of their food is cooked from scratch and served from a lovingly restored vintage Citroen H van.
With menus to suit different tastes including their hand prepared Beer Battered Cod, Goujon Monkey offer a unique addition to your big day.
Our prices start from £750 for private event catering for 75 guests. Contact details Tim 07469710373 or Matt 07917284944.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-39.jpg)
@goujonmonkey
@goujonmonkey
Chairs & tables – Linda’s Vintage Hire
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LindasVintageHire.jpg)
We provide a stress free vintage hire service for all occasions. If you are organising an event with a vintage flare we can supply furniture, crockery and a range of props and accessories to give your event that much loved nostalgic vintage feel.
We work with theatres, corporations, event and wedding planners, caterers, photographers and festivals to mention but a few.
So if you’re planning your vintage event whether it’s afternoon tea, the wedding of your dreams, a magazine shoot or creating something inspirational for a large festival there is no end to what can be achieved with the help of Linda’s Vintage Hire. We can deliver up and down the country so just give us a call on 07532 184174 for a quote.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-5-1.jpg)
@Lindvintagehire
@lindasvintagehi
@LindasVintageHire
@lindasvintagehire
Cutlery & crockery – Little Cherry | https://www.littlecherry.co.uk/
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Little-Cherry-300x168.jpg)
Little Cherry are an online supplier of natural biodegradable tableware and a wide range of ethical and stylish party supplies for weddings, street food, festivals and events throughout the UK.
Our aim is to make food look fabulous on our environmentally-friendly tableware. Ranges include the ever-popular Palm Leaf plates (made from naturally fallen palm leaves in India), compostable Sugar Cane and the largest selection of Wheat Fibre tableware in the UK, including a new takeaway range.
We cater for any size of event and offer discounts to caterers for bulk orders. We also have a dedicated Trade Site, can offer next day delivery and offer a sample pack service allowing customers to “try before they buy”.
Our fantastic selection of cups, cutlery, napkins, picks and skewers are the perfect accompaniment to any of our ranges of tableware.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-11-1.jpg)
@LittleCherryLtd
@littlecherryltd
@LittleCherryPartySupplies
Stationery – Little Pickle Creations
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Little-Pickle-300x136.png)
Nicola from Hanami Dream approached us to provide wedding accessories that she had imagined, but never seen made before – that’s our ideal brief!
We love a challenge, and love making unusual items that no-one has ever produced before. The wedding items we produced were around a denim theme, so we embroidered guests names onto handmade denim bottle sleeves, and made individual hanging name labels for the table plan along with napkins embroidered with the menu.
Really unique and personalised, just as it would be for any couple planning their own special day with their own ideas and themes that they wish to use. Sometimes these unique items aren’t ordinarily available from traditional wedding suppliers and that’s where we come in – creating special unique items tailored specifically to our clients requirements.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-15-1.jpg)
@lpc.ltd
@littlepicklecreations
Props – Mabel & Rose
![Mabel & Rose vintage prop logo](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Mabel-Rose-logo-300x99.png)
Mabel & Rose has a lovely array of original vintage and rustic props available to hire. Our large range includes old apple crates, oak barrels, chalkboards, vintage suitcases, rustic wheelbarrows, an old delivery bicycle plus lots of smaller items like vintage bottles, jars, jugs and pots. So whether it’s large milk churns filled with flowers or a selection of vintage tin baths to keep your drinks cool we would love to help you enhance your venue and create the perfect look and feel for your wedding. Styling and on the day venue dressing services are also available.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-34.jpg)
@mabelandrose
@Mabel and Rose
@mabelandrose
Macramé – MacrAmy’s Macrame
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MacrAmys-Macrame-300x300.jpg)
Macramé artist
Keeping it natural!
Workshops and evening classes…
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-8.jpg)
@MacrAmysMacrame
@macramysmacrame
Lighting – Oakwood Events
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oakwood-Events-logo-300x89.jpg)
Oakwood Events supplies stunning lighting for stylish couples. We design and install lighting schemes for barn weddings using fairy lights, festoon lights, bare bulbs, paper lanterns, chandeliers, drapes, uplighting, bunting and dance floor lighting.
Lighting is a unique addition to your wedding and can be used to highlight features like beams or stone walls, change the atmosphere between day and night or make a colour or design statement to match your theme. We pride ourselves on top quality design, professional installation and amazing features; explore our Pinterest boards for inspiration and to see how our lighting adds wow factor to barn weddings.
See your wedding in a different light!
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-37.jpg)
@OakwoodEventsUK
@oakwoodevents
@oakwoodevents
@oakwoodevents
Paper flowers – Pretty Big Flowers
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Pretty-Big-Flowers-300x205.jpg)
Our self-assembly kits let you create stunning giant paper flowers. Why settle for factory made sameness when you can create a totally unique display at a fraction of the cost?
We’ve taken the guess work out of self-assembly – even a crafting beginner can get professional and consistent results.
Paper flowers add a touch of feminine glamour to lots of situations. Enjoy creating your own decorative accents with our giant paper flower self-assembly kits for a wall at home, a stunning backdrop for wedding photos or an eye catching motif for an important event. And of course you can take the credit because the flair you add is all your own (we’ve just made it effortless!)
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-27.jpg)
@BigPaperFlowers
@pbigflowers
@prettybigflowers
@prettybigflowers
Cake – The Cake Element Bakery
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/The-Cake-Element-Bakery.jpg)
We are a successful duo of husband and wife working together to produce a really superior product.
Any size and any design, we love making wedding cakes. We offer a variety of delicious flavours and fillings. We use the best ingredients and passion to create a beautiful and delicious wedding cakes, making your special extra special.
We are committed to quality and excellent customer service. Our cakes are fleshly baked to order and crafted by hand.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-35.jpg)
@SiedlerMichelle
@miauller
@thecakeelementbakery
@thecakeelementbakery
Blankets – The Witney Blanket Hall
![](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Witney-blanket-hall-logo.jpg)
Witney Blanket Hall was built in 1721 by the Company of Blanket Makers. For over 120 years, every blanket woven in the town came to the Hall to be weighed and measured, and upstairs in the Great Room the Company set the Rules for the Trade. After 1845 the New Mills established their own measuring, and the redundant Blanket Hall became variously a Brewery, a Lemonade Factory, Engineering Shop, Office of births marriages and deaths, Dancing School, and latterly, a distinctive gentleman’s house. During most of its history, the Hall is also where many of the town’s Public Meetings took place, the death of Kings solemnly commemorated and the birth of Princes celebrated with great feasts. In the 18th Century, the Hall housed the town’s Fire Pump. In 2015, the Hall reopened its doors to reveal this illustrious past and offer woollen blankets and throws, coffee pies and assemblies, both commercial and cultural. Visitors are always welcome and are invited to come and find out more about the infamous Witney Blankets.
The Pie Shop offers its famous pies and platters, as well as tea, coffee and cakes. We are licenced so wine and Blanket Hall Beer are always available. The Hall can also be open outside hours by arrangement and is often available for hire by Companies and Societies.
![Photography by Cat Stephens Photography](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/festival-33.jpg)
@theblankethall
@witneyblankethall
@theblankethall
Delivery – Global 360 International Freight Forwarders
@Global-360-International-Freight-Forwarders
Take a look at a behind the scenes look at the briefs that were given to these fabulous suppliers and how the Festival theme came to life with their designs and products.
by Hanami Dream | 24, August, 2015 | blog, traditions
The summer is a really special time of the year for me. Not only is it the height of the wedding season but it is also when I celebrate my own wedding anniversary with my lovely husband. We had such a beautiful wedding day spent with all our friends and family and we love to look back on the day with great fondness.
Celebrating your wedding day (and more importantly the passing commitment of your marriage) is often celebrated with a specific gift based on the number of years you have been married. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and the gifts relate to bringing luck to the couple. The gifts increase in value to reflect the time that the couple have invested in their marriage and each other.
To mark our anniversary my 87 year old Nan (despite being self-titled Mad Nan) always gets it right with our anniversary gift. She still relies on her trusting diary and with the aid of the lists at the back can easily identify which gift corresponds to which anniversary. This year she bought us a beautiful pot plant, last year was leather bookmarks, before that was a sewing kit with cotton reels in it and she gave us books the first year.
I’m truly lucky to have seen both sets of my grandparents reach their diamond wedding anniversary (60th). A feat that will be harder for our generation to achieve so readily. Until their passing, it was a joy to see my grandparents walking down the promenade holding hands, or squeezing each other’s knees and still so much in love. On my wedding day, my grandfather (he’s now nearly 92) gave me away and his advice to a long and loving marriage was good communication. He said to keep talking about everything and never to go to bed on an argument.
I remember going to many silver and ruby family anniversaries as a child and thinking that it was such a long amount of time to have spent doing anything. They were always amazing occasions and sometimes the only time we saw some of our distant relatives. One set of my grandparents always had big wedding anniversary parties. I went to their 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th parties and it was so special to celebrate with them and see how much everyone had changed every 10 years. When my grandparents had their 50th anniversary we put together a big food hamper and had great fun collecting together any food and other products with gold in the title (Gold Blend, All Gold, Golden Syrup, Golden Wonder, St Ivel Gold, Golden Grahams etc. You’ll be looking now next time you’re in the supermarket!)
Lots of couples nowadays are choosing to renew their vows more often and have another wedding celebration, as well as having anniversary parties to mark milestone years.
Meanwhile, some other popular trends include buying your new spouse an 0th anniversary present which is a gift to celebrate your wedding day such as cuff links, jewellery or a photo album.
Another way to celebrate long marriages might be with an anniversary dance at a wedding instead of throwing the bouquet. This is when you ask couples to all enjoy a dance together on the dance floor. One by one, the couples are asked to sit down during the song based on the length of their time together. The last couple on the dance floor will be the longest-married couple and they receive the bouquet. What a wonderful way to celebrate their togetherness!
If you don’t have a paper diary with those handy reference pages then you might want to take a look below at our compiled list of both traditional and modern themes. Some of the gifts in the traditional column have options depending on which side of the pond you want to take inspiration from! There are also lists in my Mad Nan’s diary for which flowers to give as gifts depending on the wedding anniversary year, as well gemstone gifts per year. What a font of knowledge my Nan ends up being!
Year |
Traditional |
Modern |
1st |
Paper |
Clock |
2nd |
Cotton |
China |
3rd |
Leather |
Crystal / Glass |
4th |
Fruit / Flowers OR
Linen / Silk |
Appliances |
5th |
Wood |
Silverware |
6th |
Iron / Sweets |
Wood |
7th |
Copper / Wool |
Desk Set |
8th |
Salt / Bronze |
Linen/Lace |
9th |
Willow / Pottery |
Leather |
10th |
Aluminium / Tin |
Diamond |
11th |
Steel |
Jewellery |
12th |
Silk / Linen |
Pearls |
13th |
Lace |
Textiles/Fur |
14th |
Ivory |
Gold Jewellery |
15th |
Crystal |
Watches |
20th |
China |
Platinum |
25th |
Silver |
Silver |
30th |
Pearl |
Diamond |
35th |
Coral |
Jade |
40th |
Ruby |
Ruby |
45th |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
50th |
Gold |
Gold |
55th |
Emerald |
Emerald |
60th |
Diamond |
Diamond |
65th |
Blue Sapphire |
Blue Sapphire |
70th |
Platinum |
Platinum |
80th |
Oak |
Oak |
Whether you’re celebrating your 0th anniversary, 25th, 30th, 40th or planning to make a new anniversary then we wish you a very happy one.
![champagne_congrats_anniversary](https://www.hanamidream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/image7.jpg)