Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary! It may only feel like you tied the knot five minutes ago, but marking this momentous occasion is important. Celebrating your first wedding anniversary doesn’t have to be done with expensive gifts.
In fact, traditionally couples celebrate their very first wedding anniversary by giving thoughtful paper gifts. Paper gift or not, celebrating the first of many years to come should be done together.
Pulling off the perfect first anniversary and reflecting on your 365 days of wedded bliss is easy with these fun and romantic ideas.
Revisit your wedding venue
Whilst one year on, you may not have the budget to relive your entire wedding day, revisiting the place where you said “I do” will bring those memories flooding back. You don’t have to do anything fancy, a simple walk around the house and grounds followed by dinner is a great way to spend the day or by attending one of the dinner dates close to your anniversary date with a stay over back in the bridal suite.
Eat the last of your wedding cake
Traditionally the top tier of a wedding cake would be a rich and boozy fruit cake, which, instead of being enjoyed by guests, would be saved for an important date in the future.
Wedding cake history dictates that this top tier should be eaten on the couple’s first wedding anniversary or at the christening of their first child. So, why not spend your first wedding anniversary chowing down on this very sentimental leftover?
The fruit tier of your wedding cake can be frozen shortly after your wedding day, and enjoyed more than a year after. Defrosting the cake can take up to 12 hours. The taste of your defrosted wedding cake may surprise you too. Fruit cakes mature and taste better with time.
Celebrate in style by washing down a big slice with a glass of bubbly, or take the cake eating custom to the next level by enjoying a slice in a romantic spot that means the world to you both.
Relive your favourite first
Celebrate your first wedding anniversary by reliving another first. Your first dance, first date and first kiss all count, and give you a great excuse to go back in time and reminisce about so much more.
You could even recreate your first holiday as a married couple. Your honeymoon is certain to be packed full of exciting and happy memories of those first few weeks as newlyweds.
Whether you indulged in a luxury honeymoon in a far-flung destination or enjoyed an active honeymoon that got your adrenaline pumping, revisiting your honeymoon destination will give you precious time alone.
Relax and unwind together
Modern life can often get in the way, so take a day off and do something you both find relaxing. Get a couple’s massage at your local spa or escape with a weekend away.
You don’t have to go too far to experience complete relaxation together. Brides shares their tips for creating the ultimate anniversary night in:
“We’re not talking the usual Friday night in with popcorn and wine. Think more along the lines of a luxurious and relaxing in-home massage treatment (services like Zeel will bring the spa to you), sexy lingerie, candles, music, and more. Ditch your usual takeout options and cook up your favorite meal together, or order in from your favorite upscale restaurant. You won’t need to leave the house (or the bedroom) for an anniversary to remember.”
Disconnecting from the outside world, and even switching off those devices, will keep the focus on just the two of you. Spend your relaxing time in or out, talking to each other. Reflect on your year together and relationship so far, and ultimately connect even more.
