Why Copper Is the 7th Wedding Anniversary Gift
Copper is the traditional gift for a 7th wedding anniversary. Nobody quite agrees on who decided this, but it's stuck around a long time, and once you know why, it makes a fair bit of sense.
I make things out of copper for a living - personalised, made to order, one bloke and a workshop rather than a factory, so I get asked this a lot. This is my definitive answer.
Why Copper?
Copper doesn't rust. It bends without snapping. Left alone it goes a sort of green-brown over the years - a patina, rather than falling apart. If you're after a metaphor for years of marriage, that's not a bad one: something that's taken a bit of handling, still holding its shape, and looking more interesting for the wear.
Where the tradition comes from
Some of it's Victorian, some of it's older - tidied up and popularised properly in the 20th century by, unsurprisingly, people who sold things. The materials were meant to reflect how a marriage changes over time. Paper for year one, because everything's new and a bit fragile. By year seven you're supposed to have something a bit tougher - hence copper.
The other years:
- 1st — Paper
- 5th — Wood
- 7th — Copper
- 10th — Tin or Aluminium
- 15th — Crystal
- 20th — China
- 25th — Silver
- 40th — Ruby
- 50th — Gold
What people usually want engraved
- Both names and the wedding date - the most common request by a good distance - for example John & Jane - 18 . 04 . 2019
- A short personal line - something only they'd know, something that echoes their personality.
- Something that works as home decor - a simple "I love you" is a timeless classic.
A few frequently asked questions
Does it have to be for a 7th anniversary? No. Copper works for any anniversary if you like the material - the "traditional" year is just a guide, not a rule.
Can I personalise it with both sets of initials, or a full name? Yes, that's the most requested option, and it's what most people go for. Why not add the date whilst you're there.
Is this made to order, or is it stock I'm buying off a shelf? Made to order. Nothing's sat in a warehouse - it gets made once it's ordered, which is also why personalisation is straightforward rather than an afterthought.
Is this suitable to buy for a parent's anniversary as well as my own? Very much so - it's one of the more common reasons people buy these, alongside their own anniversary.