How to Celebrate Your Wedding Anniversary: Ideas & Costs 2025

86% of married couples celebrate every anniversary, with 44% choosing romantic dinners and 19% taking holidays.¹ Whether you're planning your first anniversary or a milestone celebration, the key is choosing an approach that reflects your relationship. Here's how to create a memorable anniversary in 2025, backed by data on what couples actually do.

Quick Summary

Of the 61.96 million married couples in the US, 86% celebrate every anniversary, with 60% celebrating as a couple only.¹ The most popular celebration is a special dinner out (44%), followed by holidays (19%) and new experiences (18%).¹ Couples prioritize meaningful gifts over expensive ones, with 66% spending extra effort on milestone years like the 10th, 25th, and 50th.¹ Men typically spend more—70% spend over $100 compared to 50% of women—but 53% of men believe their partners give better gifts.¹ Budget-friendly options like recreating your first date or cooking at home remain popular, especially as gift spending trends toward experiences rather than material items in 2025.²

How Most Couples Actually Celebrate

44% of couples celebrate with a special dinner out, making it the most popular anniversary activity.¹ Understanding what other couples do can help you decide what feels right for your relationship.

Celebration Preferences by Numbers

60% celebrate as a couple only, 34% include family, and 5% share it with friends.¹ Women prefer intimate celebrations more than men—66% of women choose to spend anniversaries alone with their partner compared to 54% of men, while 41% of men prefer family celebrations versus 29% of women.¹

Regional Variations in Celebration Styles

UK couples increasingly favor experiences over material gifts, following the broader 2025 trend toward memory-making.² In England and Wales, 246,897 marriages occurred in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels after COVID disruptions.³ This means many couples are now celebrating their 2nd and 3rd anniversaries in 2024-2025.

Australian couples often incorporate outdoor activities into anniversary celebrations due to favorable weather and beach access. Popular activities include coastal getaways, vineyard tours in regions like Barossa Valley or Hunter Valley, and harbor cruises in Sydney or Melbourne.

US couples show stronger regional variations—New England couples favor historic inn getaways, Southern couples often choose destination celebrations in Charleston or Savannah, West Coast couples lean toward wine country weekends, and Midwest couples frequently celebrate at home or local restaurants due to greater distances between destinations.

Romantic Celebration Ideas for Two

Intimate celebrations work best for couples who want focused quality time without distractions. These options suit the 60% who prefer celebrating alone with their partner.¹

Restaurant Celebrations

Special dining out remains the top choice for 44% of couples.¹ Consider these approaches:

Recreate your first date or proposal location. Book the restaurant where you first met, had your first date, or got engaged. Many restaurants offer anniversary packages with champagne, dessert, or roses included.

Try the tasting menu trend. Fine dining tasting menus range from £80-150 per person in the UK, $150-250 in major US cities, and AUD $180-280 in Sydney or Melbourne. These multi-course experiences typically last 2-3 hours and create memorable shared moments.

Book a private dining room. If you want intimacy in a restaurant setting, private dining rooms offer the benefits of professional service without other diners nearby.

Weekend Getaways

19% of couples take holidays for their anniversary.¹ Weekend breaks offer concentrated quality time away from daily routines.

Book early for milestone anniversaries. Popular romantic destinations like Paris, Venice, Santorini, or Maldives require 3-6 months advance booking for anniversary dates, especially around Valentine's Day or summer months.

Experience-Based Celebrations

Experience gifts are trending in 2025, particularly among Millennials who prioritize memories over material possessions.² The 18% who choose "new experiences" are following this broader consumer trend.¹

Popular couple experiences:

• Cooking classes: $80-150 per couple for 2-3 hour sessions teaching specific cuisines
• Wine tasting tours: £60-120 / $90-180 / AUD $100-200 for half-day vineyard tours
• Spa days: £150-300 / $200-400 / AUD $250-450 for couples packages with massage, treatments, and facilities access
• Hot air balloon rides: $200-350 per person for 1-hour flights with champagne
• Dance lessons: $50-100 for private tango, salsa, or ballroom instruction
• Concert or theater tickets: Variable pricing, but budget $150-400 for premium seats to shows you both enjoy

Adventure experiences for active couples:

• Zip-lining or canopy tours ($80-150 per person)
• Tandem skydiving ($200-300 per person)
• Scuba diving lessons or certification ($400-500 per person)
• Rock climbing instruction ($100-150 per couple)
• Surfing lessons ($60-100 per person)

At-Home Anniversary Celebrations

18% of couples prefer staying home for anniversaries, whether for budget reasons or personal preference.¹ Home celebrations can be just as meaningful as going out.

Creating Restaurant Quality at Home

Cook a special multi-course menu together. Budget £50-80 / $70-110 / AUD $90-140 for high-quality ingredients to prepare a three-course meal. Consider recreating your wedding menu or the meal from your first date.

Set the atmosphere properly:

• Use your best dinnerware and glassware
• Set the table with flowers and candles
• Create a playlist of songs from your wedding or relationship milestones
• Turn off phones and eliminate distractions
• Dress up as if you're going out

Order from a special restaurant. If cooking isn't your strength, order takeout from an upscale restaurant you've wanted to try. Transfer to proper plates and add wine, candles, and ambiance.

Memory-Making Activities

Watch your wedding video and look through photo albums. This free activity helps you reminisce about your wedding day and early relationship. Consider creating a new album of your years together since the wedding.

Write love letters to each other. Exchange handwritten letters describing favorite memories, what you love about your partner, and hopes for future years together. Seal them to read on a future anniversary.

Create a couples bucket list. Spend the evening brainstorming and writing down experiences you want to share—destinations to visit, restaurants to try, skills to learn together, or personal goals to support each other in achieving.

Build a photo timeline. Print photos from each year of your marriage and arrange them chronologically. Add captions with memorable moments, inside jokes, or milestones from each year.

Indoor Date Night Ideas

Set up an indoor picnic. Spread a blanket on the living room floor with finger foods, wine, and desserts. Watch the sunset through your window or stargaze from a blanket in the backyard.

Host a private movie marathon. Watch your wedding video followed by movies that are meaningful to your relationship—films you saw on dates, movies from your wedding year, or romantic favorites.

Game night for two. Play board games, card games, or video games you both enjoy. Make it competitive with a prize for the winner (winner chooses the next date destination, loser does a chore, etc.).

Milestone Anniversary Celebrations

66% of couples consider certain anniversaries extra special, spending more effort, money, and time on the 10th, 25th, 50th, and 20th anniversaries.¹ These milestones often warrant larger celebrations.

Silver Anniversary (25 Years)

Nearly 900 out of every 1,000 married couples who remain married celebrate their 25th anniversary together, making it an extremely common milestone.⁴ This deserves significant celebration.

Vow renewal ceremonies have become increasingly popular for 25th anniversaries. These can range from intimate backyard ceremonies (£200-500 / $300-700 / AUD $400-900 for officiant, flowers, and refreshments) to full events at wedding venues (£2,000-5,000 / $3,000-7,000 / AUD $4,000-9,000).

Silver-themed party ideas:

• Silver balloons, tablecloths, and decorations
• Silver jewelry as gifts
• Silver photo frames with wedding and current photos
• Guest book where attendees write memories or advice

Trip to bucket-list destination. Many couples save for a significant trip to mark 25 years—European tours, African safaris, Australian outback adventures, or tropical island retreats. Budget £3,000-8,000 / $4,000-10,000 / AUD $5,000-12,000 for 10-14 day trips with flights and hotels.

Learn more about silver anniversary traditions and gift ideas.

Golden Anniversary (50 Years)

The 50th anniversary represents an extraordinary achievement. Celebrating this milestone often involves multiple generations.

Family gatherings work best for golden anniversaries. The 50-year couple's children typically host, inviting extended family, old friends, and community members. Expect 30-100 guests for larger celebrations.

Return to the original venue. Some couples arrange to visit or photograph at their original wedding venue, whether it's still a functioning church, hotel, or historic building.

Golden anniversary party planning:

• Gold color scheme (tablecloths, balloons, flowers)
• Photo display showing 50 years of marriage
• Video messages from family and friends
• Memory sharing where guests tell stories
• Professional photographer to document the day
• Catered meal or buffet (£15-30 / $25-45 / AUD $30-55 per person)

Budget expectations: Golden anniversary parties typically cost £1,500-4,000 / $2,000-5,500 / AUD $2,500-7,000 for venue, catering, decorations, and photography.

Explore golden anniversary celebration ideas and traditional gifts.

Other Important Milestones

10th anniversary (Tin/Aluminum): Often the first major milestone, marking a full decade together. Popular celebrations include romantic getaways, jewelry gifts, or parties with close friends and family.

20th anniversary (China/Platinum): The second most important milestone after the 10th, 25th, and 50th.¹ Many couples plan European trips, luxury weekends, or home renovation projects they've discussed for years.

30th anniversary (Pearl): Significant but often celebrated more intimately than the 25th or 50th. Pearl jewelry is traditional.

40th anniversary (Ruby): Ruby-themed gifts and celebrations, often family dinners or medium-sized parties with lifelong friends.

Find gift ideas for each milestone year in our anniversary gift guide by year.

Planning an Anniversary Party

34% of couples include family in celebrations, and 5% include friends, making parties a popular choice especially for milestone years.¹ Here's how to plan successfully.

Guest List Decisions

Size affects budget and venue significantly.

Consider an open house format for very large guest lists. Invite people for 2-4 hour windows (2-4pm and 5-7pm) rather than a sit-down meal, reducing costs and allowing more flexibility. Serve appetizers, cake, and beverages rather than full meals.

Theme Ideas

Recreate wedding era and style. Use your wedding colors, decade-appropriate music, and similar decorations. Display your wedding dress, photos, and memorabilia.

Anniversary year themes follow traditional gift materials:

• 1st (Paper): Books, origami decorations, paper flowers
• 5th (Wood): Rustic barn venue, wooden accents, tree planting
• 10th (Tin/Aluminum): Modern metallic decorations
• 25th (Silver): All silver decorations, silver balloons, metallic tablecloths
• 50th (Gold): Gold everything—balloons, table settings, flowers

Photo timeline through the years. Create displays or slideshows showing one photo from each year of marriage. Guests enjoy seeing how you've changed and major life moments.

Party Activities and Entertainment

Toast and speeches should be limited to 3-5 people speaking for 3-5 minutes each. Typically include couple's children, parents, best friend, or sibling.

Photo slideshow or video (10-15 minutes maximum) showing highlights from your years together. Set to music that's meaningful to your relationship.

Memory sharing station where guests write favorite memories, relationship advice, or well wishes on cards. Provide a decorative box or album for collecting these.

Interactive guest book alternatives:

• Sign a photo mat surrounding your wedding picture
• Write messages on wooden hearts to fill a shadow box
• Sign a guest book made from your wedding invitation design
• Record video messages at a booth

Music and dancing. If space allows, hire a DJ (£300-600 / $400-800 / AUD $500-1000 for 4 hours) or create playlists featuring your wedding song, first dance, and songs from each year of your marriage.

Budget-Friendly Anniversary Ideas

Meaningful celebrations don't require large budgets. The 18% who celebrate at home and 50% who prioritize meaningful gifts over expensive ones prove this.¹

Free or Low-Cost Activities

Recreate your first date exactly. Go to the same location, order the same food or drinks, wear similar styles of clothing, and reminisce about that day.

Picnic at a meaningful location. Pack homemade food and visit where you got engaged, had your wedding ceremony, or another special spot. Cost: £10-20 / $15-25 / AUD $20-30 for food.

Sunrise or sunset watching at a scenic location. Bring coffee or champagne, blankets, and simply enjoy being together. Free.

Star gazing night. Drive away from city lights, bring blankets and pillows, and spend the evening under the stars. Use a stargazing app to identify constellations. Free.

Home spa day. Give each other massages, do face masks, take a long bath with candles, and relax together. Cost: £15-30 / $20-40 / AUD $25-50 for products.

DIY Projects Together

Create a photo book or scrapbook of your years together. Services like Shutterfly, Mixbook, or Artifact Uprising offer photo books starting at £15-40 / $20-50 / AUD $25-60.

Plant a tree together in your yard or a meaningful location (if allowed). Watch it grow as your marriage continues. Cost: £20-50 / $25-70 / AUD $35-80.

Make a time capsule to open on a future anniversary (5, 10, or 25 years). Include letters to your future selves, current photos, news headlines, and small mementos.

Cook together from a cuisine you've never tried. Find recipes online, buy special ingredients, and make it an adventure. Cost: £20-40 / $30-55 / AUD $35-65.

Thoughtful Low-Cost Gifts

Write meaningful letters describing your favorite memories, what you appreciate about your partner, and hopes for the future. Free.

Create a "52 reasons I love you" deck using a deck of cards or index cards, writing one reason on each. Your partner can read one per week. Cost: £2-5 / $3-7 / AUD $4-8.

Make a coupon book offering specific things your partner would appreciate—making their favorite meal, planning the next date, doing their least favorite chore, massage, etc. Free.

Digital photo frame loaded with your favorite photos together. Cost: £30-80 / $40-100 / AUD $50-120.

Anniversary Gift Planning

74% of married people buy their partner anniversary gifts, with 50% prioritizing meaningful gifts over expensive ones.¹ Understanding spending patterns helps set realistic expectations.

How Much Couples Actually Spend

70% of men spend more than $100 on anniversary gifts compared to 50% of women.¹ However, despite spending more, 53% of men think their partners buy better gifts compared to only 38% of women who think they give better gifts.¹

Gift spending by priority:

• 50% prioritize finding meaningful gifts
• 44% prioritize gifts that create memories
• Only 7% focus on expensive gifts
• Only 7% focus on staying within budget¹

This explains why experience gifts are trending in 2025—they create memories while feeling more meaningful than material items.²

Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year

Each anniversary year has traditional and modern gift materials associated with it. These provide helpful guidance when selecting gifts.

See our complete guide to traditional and modern anniversary gifts for every year.

Experience vs. Material Gifts

Experience gifts are increasingly popular in 2025, especially among Millennials.² The National Retail Federation's 2024 report confirms consumers are spending more on experiences than ever before.²

Experience gift advantages:

• Creates shared memories
• No clutter or storage needed
• Often more photographable and shareable
• Aligns with sustainability values
• Can be revisited through photos and stories

Popular experience gifts by budget:

Questions to Ask Each Other

Anniversary conversations help maintain connection and plan for the future. Set aside dedicated time to discuss these questions without distractions.

Reflection Questions

• What's your favorite memory from this past year of marriage?
• What surprised you most about married life over the past year?
• What challenge did we overcome together that made us stronger?
• What moment made you laugh the hardest?
• When did you feel most loved by me this year?

Gratitude Questions

• What are you most grateful for about our marriage?
• What do I do that makes you feel most appreciated?
• How have I helped you grow as a person?
• What quality of mine are you most thankful for?
• What daily habit of mine makes your life better?

Future-Focused Questions

• What adventure should we have in the next year?
• What goal should we work toward together?
• Where should we travel in the next 1-5 years?
• What new skill or hobby should we try together?
• How can we make next year even better than this one?

Making Your Anniversary Memorable

The most memorable anniversaries combine personal meaning with quality time together. Whether you spend £50 or £5,000, $70 or $7,000, prioritize these elements:

Eliminate distractions. Turn off phones, avoid checking work email, and focus entirely on each other during your celebration time.

Incorporate meaningful elements. Reference your wedding, first date, or other relationship milestones through location, food, music, or activities.

Create new traditions. Consider starting anniversary traditions you'll repeat each year—visiting the same restaurant, taking a photo in the same spot, or exchanging specific types of gifts.

Document the day. Take photos or videos to add to your collection of anniversary memories over the years.

Express gratitude. Whether through words, letters, or toasts, explicitly tell your partner what you appreciate about them and your marriage.

Look forward together. While celebrating the past year, also discuss hopes and plans for the year ahead.

The 86% of married couples who celebrate every anniversary understand that marking this milestone strengthens your bond and creates touchstones throughout your marriage.¹ Whether you choose an elaborate party, a romantic dinner, or a quiet evening at home, what matters most is celebrating your commitment and connection.

Need inspiration for what to write in your anniversary card? Check our anniversary messages and wishes guide.

Sources and References