Q. I am trying to help my mother-in-law put together a 25th anniversary for my sister-in-law. I have one question. When ordering a personalised gift like toasting glasses for the couple should it have the date of marriage or the number 25 on it. I plan on putting their name on whatever I purchase but need the advice on their wedding date or anniversary years to be engraved. I plan on purchasing their glasses for the head table as well as guest book, serving set for the cake etc. Everything I want to buy for this anniversary has names and dates shown on them.
A. It looks like you have done a lot of planning for this celebration, I hope you and your in-laws enjoy it. With regard to your question on whether to use the wedding date or the number of years there is no prescribed etiquette although the event you are commemorating and celebrating is traditionally called the ‘Silver Wedding’ this being the milestone of 25 years of marriage so this should be marked either by reference to the number of years (25th Anniversary) , the event’s name (Silver Wedding) or by date reference e.g. 6th June 1987 – 6th June 2012 the majority of gifts available for this celebration state the anniversary being celebrated i.e. 25th Anniversary or more correctly the Silver Wedding.
It should be noted that if the gift is meant to be commemorative then when viewed out of context it should be possible to recognise the celebration it honours. So if someone not connected with the celebration saw the item they would instantly understand the meaning of the item.
