Today marks fourteen years of marriage to my husband. I never could have imagined the life I have now. If I had married anybody else my life would look very different. But, I married Bret and we get to celebrate our marriage anniversary in Tokyo because we both decided to grow and change together.
To me, the saddest thing that happens in a marriage is that both people actively choose to stay the same. Everything that both of you does is because it is expected. You work the job you are supposed to work and live in the town you should live in. The life you have is by default.
What makes my marriage so great is not that I have the best husband in the world, it is simply that I have a partner that is willing to learn and grow and change. He says yes to my crazy ideas like becoming minimalists or packing our family into 8 suitcases and becoming nomads. We have lived in developing countries and the biggest city on the planet.
I am thankful that we found each other and that we continue to become better versions of ourselves.
In this article I wanted to explore different ways a couple could honor, acknowledge, and celebrate a marriage anniversary. If you have a special tradition to mark your anniversary I’d love to hear it in the comments below.
Skip to:
- Simple Meaningful Celebrations
- Adventurous Celebrations
- Luxurious Celebrations
- Personalized Celebrations
- Unique Celebrations
- Bonding Celebrations
- Reflective Celebrations
Simple Yet Meaningful Celebrations
Creating memorable experiences doesn’t require grand gestures. Small, intimate moments can be just as impactful when you celebrate marriage. Embrace the beauty of simplicity through these personalized approaches.
1. Create a Dream Board
Make a vision board together for the future of your relationship. Include goals, dreams, and plans. Reflect on what’s important to both of you and how you can achieve it together.
As I mentioned, my marriage is what it is today because of our willingness to change and grow together. Don’t assume your partner is happy keeping things status quo. And likewise, don’t assume you will always want the exact same thing you wanted the day you said, “I do.”
2. Love Letters Exchange
Exchange handwritten vows or love letters on your special date night. In a digital age, the power of a handwritten note lies in its personal touch, a heartfelt gift that captures emotions in ink. Write about the moments that defined your journey and read them to each other.
My husband framed the vows he wrote for me as a wedding gift. Over the years we have not been very good about gushing expressions of love, so this idea is definitely appealing as a way to celebrate.
Adventurous Celebrations
Celebrating significant relationship milestones can be a chance to create brand new memories. Consider these unique adventures to celebrate marriage and keep growing together.
3. Adventure Together
Embarking on a romantic getaway can rekindle the excitement in your relationship. Think about tracking wildlife on an African safari or soaring in a hot-air balloon over the Arizona desert. These high-adrenaline activities deepen bonds and transform an anniversary road trip into an unforgettable love adventure.
Even if you have kids it’s important to stay connected as a couple. We are very fortunate to have parents willing to watch our kids in order for us to get some alone time to keep our spark alive.
4. Weekend Escape
Escaping for a weekend can be a great way to unplug from the monotony of life. Choose a secluded cabin in the woods or a cozy bed and breakfast near the coast, blending nature’s tranquility with the warmth of your company. This intimate retreat nurtures camaraderie, ensuring a weekend escape that’s both restorative and adventurous.
Read Also: Best Travel Gear for Your Romantic Weekend
Regularly scheduling weekends away can give you and your partner something to look forward to. You can be the kind of couple that always returns to the same destination or pick a new spot each time.
5. Couples Cooking Class
Stir up some fun with a couples cooking class highlighting dishes from around the world. It’s a bonding activity that allows you to both learn and savor new flavors, diversifying your shared hobbies. This interactive experience enriches your marriage adventure with each recipe acting as a milestone in your culinary journey together.
Taking cooking classes locally can get you in the habit of engaging in experiences together. We love taking cooking classes as we travel abroad in order to connect with local cuisine and support small businesses.
Luxurious Celebrations
Indulge in the most memorable ways to celebrate marriage, where luxury meets romance. Experience exclusive getaways, spa retreats, and gourmet meals that promise intimate moments and the creation of eternal love stories.
6. Romantic Getaway
Run away on a romantic escapade. Choose a luxury resort for your next romantic getaway. Immerse yourselves in an intimate environment, where each moment feels like an anniversary getaway crafted just for you. Enjoy the serenity of a private beach or the exclusivity of a boutique hotel to ensure your love feels as endless as the panoramic views you’ll wake up to.
Candle light dinners and romantic sunsets might seem cliche but they can be such a wonderful way to spend an anniversary. Ask the hotel to arrange rose pedals on the bed and order chocolate covered strawberries for ultimate indulgence.
7. Couples Spa Day
Indulge in luxurious pampering. A couple’s spa day offers a deeply relaxing and intimate experience. You can unwind together with a couples massage, letting the stress slip away in a harmonious setting designed for two. This intimate getaway is not just about relaxation, it’s a memorable, romantic surprise that celebrates the bond you share.
Find out if there are shared spa rooms that would allow you to stay together for the entirely of the service. In Japan there are private onsen that give you hot springs access directly in your hotel room.
8. Fine Dining Experience
Savor a Fine Dining Experience. Elevate your evening with a candlelit dinner at a high-end restaurant, where each course brings a new flavor to discover. Commemorate your eternal love with a wine tasting tour followed by a gourmet meal, turning a simple romantic dinner into a culinary adventure that tantalizes the senses and deepens your connection.
There are certain dining experiences that you would normally avoid because they are too fancy or cost prohibitive. Celebrate marriage with that over the top meal. My next over the top meal will be an omakase dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant, which I would never consider splurging on regularly.
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Personalized Celebrations
Celebrate marriage with special touches that reflect your unique journey together. This section explores ways you can personalize your celebration with gifts and keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come.
9. Customized Presents
Unique gifts make a marriage celebration memorable. Consider personalized jewelry. Select or design a jewelry piece with your children’s birth stones or upgrade a wedding band now that your financial situation has improved.
You could also consider custom gifts like a map featuring where you met or using a beloved family photo on a personalized item. The value of a custom present is the forethought and planning you do which will quickly turn the gift into a sentimental item.
10. Couples Photoshoot
Capture moments with a couple’s photoshoot, a fun and intimate way to cherish your marriage. May it be in a studio or a location that’s significant to both of you, these pictures can become timeless pieces of your love story, displayed proudly in your home.
In most couples or families there is one person who is usually behind the camera documenting everyone else. This gives that person the chance to be captured on film in a flattering and memorable way.
11. Create a Memory Scrapbook
A memory scrapbook is a heartfelt way to preserve family memories and memorialize your love. Fill pages with photos, mementos, and keepsake ideas, from wedding invitations to dried flowers. It’s a tangible celebration of your journey, perfect for revisiting on future anniversaries.
So much of our lives is documented online these days that printing a photo is rather unusual. I love designing our family albums on Shutterfly. I’ve made albums to commemorate trips and birthdays over the years.
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Unique Celebrations
When celebrating marriage, it is the unique touches that create memorable experiences. A meaningful vow renewal ceremony or an unexpected romantic getaway, these special celebrations reinforce the enduring love and joy of your shared journey.
12. Vow Renewal Ceremony
Renewing your vows is a sentimental journey that affirms the enduring love between you and your partner. This love renewal can take place on a significant wedding anniversary, symbolizing the bliss and commitment that have grown over the years. Consider selecting unique gifts that have a special significance to both of you to exchange during the ceremony.
My original wedding ceremony took place in Las Vegas after a 5 week engagement and only cost $220. Someday I do hope to renew my vows with a big celebration. We are different people than those two young kids who got married and that’s worth honoring.
13. Star-Gazing Night
Transform an ordinary evening into a star-gazing night to celebrate your marriage under the celestial canopy. Pack a romantic picnic complete with cozy blankets and your favorite delicacies. This intimate escape offers a serene setting to reflect on the beauty of your relationship.
As an added surprise you can purchase a star and name it after your spouse. Bring along a telescope and find that exact star in the sky. My husband did this for me one year before we had kids and it was extremely romantic.
14. Create Generational Wealth
Instead of splurging on an item or experience consider using that money to create assets. You can launch an Airbnb business or invest in a stock that you agree has a lot of growth potential.
You can think global by purchasing a 1 Euro house (which actually cost closer to $6,000 after fees) or buying an Akiya in Japan. Those abandoned houses will need a lot of TLC and sweat equity to create value, but you can make that happen as a team.
Bonding Celebrations
When looking to celebrate marriage, it’s the unique experiences and shared moments that truly bond you and your partner. Diving into shared hobbies, throwing a memorable anniversary party, or simply enjoying a night filled with love and laughter, each celebration strengthens the connection between you both.
15. Shared Hobbies
Embrace activities you both love as a fun way to bond and create new memories. Picking up a class or workshop in pottery, dancing, or gardening together adds a special chapter to your love journey. The joy found in these intimate experiences can turn an ordinary day into a treasured part of your story.
Be willing to go outside of your comfort zone and do something like surfing or skiing even if you’ve never done it before. When you experience new things together it deepens your bond every time.
16. Anniversary Party
Your anniversary is a milestone that calls for a grand celebration. Throwing an anniversary party is a way to reminisce about your years together and to show appreciation for your partner. It’s a toast to enduring commitment and a chance for friends and family to share in your happiness.
I’ve been imagining throwing my parents a big anniversary party for their 50th anniversary since I was a child. There are seven more years until that big anniversary milestone in my parents life. I’m so excited to do something special for my wonderful parents.
17. Home Improvement
Use your anniversary as an opportunity to tackle a big home project together. Your gift to each other is putting down your phones and dedicating your time to making a shared space better. This could mean painting your living room or re-flooring your bedroom.
Using funds to invest in your living space instead of a fancy meal might be just what your relationship needs. You don’t owe society a photo of you two dressed up hitting the town. Celebrating your marriage your way is absolutely allowed.
Reflective Celebrations
Reflective celebrations in marriage offer an opportunity to honor the journey you’ve shared together. Whether marking a marriage milestone or just embracing daily affection as a form of relationship celebration, it’s about recognizing and valuing the love you’ve cultivated.
18. Memory Lane Walk
Take a sentimental journey by planning a memory lane walk. Stroll through significant places from your wedding day or your relationship, reminiscing together. As you walk, share stories, relishing in the nostalgia, each step a page from your love story book.
Every couple has defining places where your love was solidified or deepened. Make a conscious effort to visit those places to reconnect and remind yourself how important your relationship is.
19. Recreating Your First Date
Revisit the place where your love story unfolded by recreating your first date. This trip down memory lane serves as a heartfelt anniversary celebration.
For my husband and I this would include dinner at Squirrel’s and karaoke at the Peacock in our college town of Corvallis. We would look back at our younger selves and think of how naïve we were. Both of us have become such better versions of ourselves since that date and that is worth celebrating.
Remember to tailor these love celebration ideas to fit your unique relationship, ensuring that they are meaningful and resonate with the bond you share. It could be as simple as watching both of your favorite romantic movies or eating at your special restaurant. As long as the experience is something both you and your partner share, it will be a special one.
Romantic Getaway
Planning a romantic getaway is a beautiful way to celebrate marriage and rekindle your passion. In your anniversary or just a much-needed retreat, there’s an abundance of options to create unforgettable memories. From the privacy of vacation rentals to the allure of scenic locales, you can find the perfect escape that speaks to your unique bond as a couple.
Anniversary Celebrations & Couples Retreats
Explore a variety of destinations renowned for their romantic ambiance:
- Private Vacation Rentals – Choose a cozy hideaway in areas to enjoy solitude and comfort.
- Wine Country Tours – Visit regions with wineries and cute B&B’s, ideal for toasting to your relationship and indulging in gourmet experiences.
- Sun-Worshipping Beaches – Opt for sun-drenched beaches in destinations such as Kaua’i, offering a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Romantic Cruises
Set sail and watch the sunset on an intimate cruise:
- Sunset Cruises – Embark on an evening voyage where you can witness the splendor of the setting sun over the ocean.
- Full-Service Cruises – Book full-service cruises offering romantic dinners, couple’s massages, and activities to enrich your connection.
Enjoy every moment of your getaway, design it to reflect what you love as a couple, and create stories to cherish for years to come. If you’re resting in a secluded rental or exploring a vineyard, let every aspect of your trip celebrate the love you share.
Love Renewal
Renewing your wedding vows is a heartfelt way to celebrate marriage. If you’ve reached a significant milestone or simply wish to reaffirm your commitment, a vow renewal ceremony stands as a testament to enduring love and partnership. Here’s a guide to planning your love renewal.
Why Renew Your Vows?
- To commemorate a special anniversary.
- To rekindle your bond and remember your wedding day.
- To celebrate with loved ones, possibly ones who couldn’t attend your wedding.
Planning Your Vow Renewal
- Decide on the venue, perhaps the same place you first said “I do.”
- Choose a date that holds special meaning for you both.
- Consider a ceremony script that reflects your journey together.
Celebrating Your Anniversary
- 10 Years – A decade of togetherness may call for a gathering with close friends and family.
- 25 Years – Silver anniversaries are often more intimate, marking a quarter-century of love.
- 50 Years – The golden anniversary is a major milestone, worthy of a grand celebration.
By re-enacting your walk down the aisle or sharing new vows, you forge fresh memories on top of the foundation you’ve built together. May your love renewal be as joyful and unique as your relationship, carrying the promise of many more happy years to come.
Marriage Journey
They say, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Nothing makes you realize that more than the speed at which your children grow up. Your marriage deserves to be celebrated day by day and most especially every year.
Marriage isn’t easy, it’s a tough journey with highs and lows. Your life partner has a dramatic effect on how your life turn out. Keep paying attention to your marriage so that continues to have a positive effect on your life instead of holding you back.
Marriage Milestones:
- First anniversary
- Decade celebrations
- Renewal of vows
- Overcoming challenges together
Each milestone symbolizes a unique chapter in your shared story. May it be your first year or fiftieth, taking time to celebrate marriage keeps your bond strong and joyful. These celebrations are not just dates on a calendar but reflections of your growth as a couple and recognition of love’s endurance.
Make the most of your marriage adventure by honoring the little victories and grand triumphs alike.
Special Date Night
Exploring unique ways to celebrate marriage can breathe new life into your relationship. Consider a romantic dinner at home or a favorite venue where you can reconnect. Set the table with fine china, light some candles, and savor your meal together. The candlelit atmosphere will add an intimate touch.
For a more dynamic evening, add a romantic beach walk to your plans. The sound of waves and cool breeze create a serene environment where you can stroll hand in hand. It’s a simple yet profoundly bonding experience as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Don’t forget, every special date night is an opportunity to rekindle the passion and remind each other of your deep connection.
Embracing Togetherness
To celebrate marriage is to honor the journey of togetherness and eternal love. It’s a moment for you to reflect on the bond you’ve created and look forward to the future with excitement and hope. Celebrations serve as memorable milestones, marking the chapter of a shared life that you’ve chosen.
Embracing the tradition of togetherness, your marriage celebration becomes a reflection of your unique love story. May you always find joy in the little moments and profound strength in your commitment to one another. Commit to celebrate your union not just on your anniversary, but throughout all your days to come.
The future is looking bright as my husband and I celebrate fourteen years together. We have just spent two wonderful years living in Japan and will be moving to Portugal over the summer. Our bond is stronger now than the day we got married and I think that’s a testament to our willingness to change together.
