While there’s a lot of excitement for the bride and groom on a wedding day, I can tell you that the “old married couples” find weddings just as exciting to attend.  For one thing, it’s a wonderful reminder of your own wedding day — whether that was five, fifteen, or fifty years ago. And if it so happens to be your own wedding anniversary, too?  It’s extra special to think back on that beautiful and very happy day when you were the brand-new newlyweds.

Unfortunately, it’s not entirely common for people to commemorate many wedding anniversaries other than the former bride and groom. Some mother-in-laws remember and send a card while other sisters or best friends offer to babysit the anniversary couple’s kids to pave the way for a special anniversary dinner. But it’s rare that a couple will receive happy anniversary wishes from others–and what a shame that is!

We feel strongly that every anniversary deserves celebrating and while many wedding etiquette guides aren’t likely to demand that friends and family send anniversary greetings or congratulations to couples for the rest of their lives…it sure would be a nice thing to happen, wouldn’t it? We think it’s a nice gesture to remember those couples celebrating an anniversary, even at your own wedding and own your own “day.”  After all, honoring a happily married couple’s anniversary will make everyone feel special, and who doesn’t love seeing evidence of the endurance of love over time? Again, it’s not required by wedding etiquette, but it definitely is a thoughtful thing to do, to make it a beautiful day for everyone in attendance.  It’s making us teary-eyed just thinking about it.