Wedding Anniversary Marriage of Forty Years - Ruby 

After the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, the fortieth wedding anniversary is considered the second major anniversary.

Often referred to as a Ruby Wedding the gemstone associated with it is a ruby and the flower associated with this anniversary is a  a Nasturtium.

Rubies are said to be rarer than diamonds - they symbolise health, wealth and wisdom and, of course, passion. This gemstone is one of the best known, it also comes with a wealth of claims including making all obstacles in the path of happiness to melt away, it repairs broken friendships and can help improve memory!

In the fifteenth century the ruby was often chosen for an engagement ring, considered as symbolising love at its zenith. Other grooms would join the ruby with a diamond, the latter signifying consistency, the former passion.  

As a commentary on the idea that life begins at 40, some couples celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary by starting a new hobby - such as planting their first bush of red roses - or begin their wine cellar by buying a dozen bottles of a good red wine.

A way of making the fortieth wedding anniversary memorable is to have a party with the date 1940 as a theme. Music, dancing, any food preferences in this era, all should be part of the wedding anniversary celebration.  

For all information contact Vlady at vlady_celebrant@yahoo.com.au , telephone her on (07) 3283 8567, Mobile 0415 324 982 or write to her, Vlady M Peters, Civil Marriage Celebrant, PO Box 394, Redcliffe. Qld. Australia.