Traditional Wedding Anniversary Colors

By
Sheri Stritof
Sheri Stritof

Sheri Stritof is a widely-quoted marriage expert and consultant who co-authored "The Everything Great Marriage Book" with her late husband of 40 years.

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Updated on 10/17/22
Illustration of wedding anniversary colors

The Spruce / Grace Kim

There are many wedding traditions, and each of them includes an officially designated color or color combination for each anniversary year. You can draw inspiration from traditional wedding anniversary colors to celebrate your special annual date in style. Consider these colors for milestone anniversaries:

  • 1st anniversary: Gold or yellow
  • 10th anniversary: Silver or blue
  • 20th anniversary: Emerald green or white
  • 25th anniversary: Silver
  • 50th anniversary: Gold
  • 75th Anniversary: Diamond white
  • 80th Anniversary: Ruby red

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Colors

The season when you wed sets the tone for what you can do with the traditional colors given to you. For instance, a mix of pink, red, and vibrant yellow is good for an alfresco summer wedding. You can use this as a jumping point for your anniversary, whether you're going out, planning a party, or gifting each other something that involves the color scheme.

For example, your fifth wedding anniversary color is blue. You can spend your time outside in the bright blue sky on beautiful blue water on a good day, or make a movie night with films that have the word "blue" in it. Whatever you do, get creative with your colors and make your annual date fun and modern with a classic twist.

Wedding Anniversary Stones

Years 1 to 10

The first few wedding anniversaries represent your first milestone. Most people take a vacation, day-cation, or host a simple dinner or cocktail party. Use the following colors per year, or celebrate your big 10 with a combination of colors to represent each year that you spent together:

Years 11 to 20

Celebrating your 20th year of marriage together is huge, and the years leading up to that matter. Make sure to look back on all you have accomplished together and use these colors to get inspired:

  • 11th Anniversary: Turquoise or Yellow
  • 12th Anniversary: Jade, Opal, or Oyster White
  • 13th Anniversary: Citrine or White
  • 14th Anniversary: Opal or Ivory
  • 15th Anniversary: Ruby Red
  • 16th Anniversary: Emerald Green, Red, or Silver
  • 17th Anniversary: Yellow
  • 18th Anniversary: Blue
  • 19th Anniversary: Bronze
  • 20th Anniversary: Emerald Green or White

Years 21 to 30

Not everyone makes it to 30 years of marriage. You might even have grown-up kids or be grandparents. Celebrate your big 3-0 and the years in between with your family by throwing a party or going out together:

  • 21st Anniversary: Orange
  • 22nd Anniversary: Green
  • 23rd Anniversary: Silver
  • 24th Anniversary: Lavender
  • 25th Anniversary: Silver
  • 30th Anniversary: Green

Years 30 and Up

Any wedding anniversary over 30 is truly special. With so many years spending time together, learning how to love each other, and becoming best friends, it's something very honorable. Treat yourselves to gifts and experiences that incorporate these traditional colors:

  • 35th Anniversary: Coral
  • 40th Anniversary: Ruby Red
  • 45th Anniversary: Sapphire Red
  • 50th Anniversary: Gold
  • 55th Anniversary: Emerald Green
  • 60th Anniversary: Diamond White
  • 65th Anniversary: Sky Blue
  • 70th Anniversary: Platinum
  • 75th Anniversary: Diamond White
  • 80th Anniversary: Ruby Red