Wedding Anniversary Marriage of One Year - Paper 

The paper is seen as something delicate, needing to be handled carefully. Paper itself has many connotation.

The Marriage Certificate which the couple receive on their wedding day is printed on paper.

The papyrus plant, from which the ancient Egyptians created paper, symbolized life and growth because it grew so prolifically on the riverbanks.

One of the rituals in the Japanese wedding ceremony is the sipping of rice wine from a bottle decorated with paper butterflies symbolising the male and the female partners at the beginning of their journey as a united couple.

There is an element of joyfulness and playfulness in the first wedding anniversary. Everything is fresh and new, and each day brings new discoveries about love and life.

The gifts offered to the couple on their first wedding anniversary reflects the carefree nature of the relationship. There are tickets for the opera or concert for the couple's enjoyment. A book of specific interest to the couple symblising the acquisition of wisdom as their union ripens. A floral bouquet for its esthetic beauty.

Flower associated with the first wedding anniversary is a pansy, and the gemstone peridot or pearl.

Freshwater pearls are seldom perfectly round or even nearly round. In rare circumstances perfectly round freshwater pearls are produced, and even more rare are the true gems that have been designated as freshadama by the gem trade. Available in a number of colour, the pastel colour are the most sought after.

Anniversary Gifts for the first wedding anniversary could be paper artwork, love letters and poetry, favourite book, memory book, cards, tickets for favourite events, stationary with married name, business stationary, personalized writing instruments, floor plans (if building a house soon), lampshades, life insurance, genealogy, subscription to newspapers or magazines.

Whether on their own, or celebrating their wedding anniversary with friends or relatives, a casual picnic or barbeque is appropriate. Food can be served on paper plates, with the venue decorated with paper lanterns.

Part of the celebration for the couple only, could be viewing a recording of their wedding ceremony and renewing their vows in the privacy of their own home. They might also make a game of creating a ritual for each of their wedding anniversaries by adding something new like a new song or poem which has either the word anniversary or paper in the title. This could be the Anniversary Waltz, or It's only a Paper Moon. 

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.