Christian Wedding Anniversary: Marking the Day

01 How each tradition marks it

What is available to a couple ranges from a formal rite to a pastoral prayer. Here is each tradition.

Catholic

The Book of Blessings includes a Blessing on the Anniversary of Marriage, celebrated at home or within a Mass on or near the date. It is brief: a short reading, a blessing over the couple, and sometimes a renewal of consent. Many dioceses also hold an annual Anniversary Mass for couples at 25, 50, and 60 years.

Anglican / Episcopal

The Book of Common Prayer provides A Form for the Reaffirmation of Marriage Vows, used at a Sunday Eucharist or privately. The couple reaffirm their vows in the wedding's own language, with a blessing from the priest and sometimes a renewal of rings. Parishes usually offer it by request on milestone years.

Orthodox

There is no set anniversary rite. The custom is to attend the Divine Liturgy on or near the date and receive the priest's blessing, often with the "Many Years" (Mnogaya Leta) sung by the choir at the family's request. Some parishes offer a fuller blessing for milestone years.

Mainline Protestant

The Methodist and Lutheran worship books include prayers and a short service for anniversaries: thanksgiving, an optional renewal of vows, and a prayer for the year ahead, offered by request. Presbyterian and Baptist practice is pastoral rather than fixed, usually a prayer or recognition on milestone years.

Evangelical / Non-denominational

Family-set, with no formal liturgy. Some churches offer a vow-renewal service for milestone years, usually private, with the pastor and family present. More often a couple marking a milestone meets the pastor for prayer, and the family gathering carries the day.

02 Your role

As the couple

You choose how to mark the day. Catholic, Anglican, and some Mainline couples can request a blessing or vow renewal, most often on a milestone year; Orthodox and Evangelical couples usually mark it with a blessing at church or a family gathering. Ask your priest or pastor what your parish offers.

As family or friends

Mark the milestone years (25, 50, sometimes 10 or 60) rather than every year. A card is conventional, a gift from close family at milestones, and attendance if the couple holds a service. For non-milestone years, nothing is expected from outside the household.

03 Gifts, readings, and cards

Gifts Anniversary gifts The year-themed gift tradition and what suits each milestone, by relationship. Readings Anniversary readings Passages chosen for an anniversary blessing or vow renewal, by tradition. Cards and words Card wording Sample wording for an anniversary card, warm through to religious.

04 Common questions

Is a vow renewal the same as marrying again?

No. The original marriage stays in force; a vow renewal renews the existing covenant rather than creating a new marriage. It is a family and pastoral choice, not a sacramental requirement, and is not celebrated as a wedding.

Which anniversaries are the milestones?

The 25th and 50th are the principal milestones across the traditions, each inviting a family gathering and, where the couple wishes, a vow-renewal service. The 10th, 30th, 40th, and 60th are secondary. The annual anniversary is normally kept between the spouses; family and friends mark the milestones.

What if the couple is widowed or divorced and the day still matters?

None of the traditions formally rite these moments, but the date often still matters. Pastoral acknowledgment is the usual form: a conversation with the pastor, a private prayer or candle, or a Mass intention requested by name. The day is honored as it actually is for the person.

Last updated: August 21, 2026