Wedding Anniversaries and Social Etiquette

Earlier this week a fellow writer Dawn Kinzer (Click her name to go to her page.) shared an anniversary card she found in her family belongings from the 1800's. I've covered anniversaries before but this list found in "Hand-book of Official and Social Etiquette" has a list that is a bit different. It also has the suggested layout of the invitation cards. At the bottom ck out Dawn's family's card.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. The celebration of wedding anniversaries has always been an occasion of enjoyable reunion among the participants in the event itself, and a few intimate friends. In order to adapt the occasion to some suitable recognition, designations have been given to these anniversaries, and while gifts are not obligatory, and the announcement '' No presents received" on the invitation cards is desirable in the later anniversaries, a remembrance of an inexpensive character of the material named greatly contributes to the entertainment of the occasion.
These yearly anniversaries are as follows:
The first anniversary is the Cotton Wedding. The invitations are printed on cotton and any presents should be of the same material.
The second anniversary is the Paper Wedding. The invitations are printed on paper, and the most suitable presents are books or any other articles of paper.
The third anniversary is the Leather Wedding. The invitations are printed on leather, and any presents should be of the same material.
The fourth anniversary is the Straw Wedding. The invitations are printed on straw colored paper, and presents should represent straw.
The fifth anniversary is called the Wooden Wedding. The invitations should be printed on thin cards of wood, or on wedding paper, enclosing a ard of wood. The presents should be of any article of wood.
The seventh anniversary is the Woolen Wedding. The invita.ions should be printed on woolen and presents should be of the same material.
The tenth anniversary is called the Tin Wedding. The invitations should be printed on tin foil, with a mongram in silver, or on wedding note paper in black, enclosing a tin card. Presents should be of tin.
The twelfth anniversary is called the Linen Wedding. Invitations are printed on linen in gold or silver. The envelopes should also be of linen. Any presents should be of the same.
The fifteenth anniversary it called the Crystal Wedding. The invitation5 should be printed on sheets of gelatine or white wedding note sheets, enclosing a card printed on mica. Pre.ents of any articles oi glass are appropriate.
The twentieth anniversary is called the China Wedding. The invitations are printed on cards with a china finish. Presents should be of china.
The twenty fifth anniversary is called the Silver Wedding. The invitations should be printed on silver bronze or fine white paper with monogram or crest in silver. The presents should be of silver.
As articles in silver are expensive, out of consideration for many who might not be able to afford a present, it is proper to print at the bottom of the invitation: "It is preferred that no presents be offered."
This rule will apply to all wedding invitations following the tin wedding.
The thirtieth anniversary is called the Peail Wedding. The invitations should be printed on pearl tinted paper with monogram of pearls stamped in silver. The presents should be appropriate if given.
The thirty-fifth anniversary is called the Coral Wedding. The invitations should be printed on fine quality of pink tinted paper. Any presents should be of jewelry representing coral.
The forty-fifth anniversary is called the Bronze Wedding. The invitations are printed on bronzed stationary, and any presents should be of bronze.
The fiftieth anniversary is called the Golden Wedding. But few couples ever reach this ripe old age of matrimonial companionship, and the occasion therefore is more of a family nature, the effort being made to bring together as many of the descendants and relations as possible. The inviations are engraved and printed in gold with monogram or crest in gold. The presents should be in gold, but as such presents are expensive this is optional. The more close relatives should give something.
The seventy-fifth anniversary is called the Diamond Wedding. The invitation should be diamond shaped and printed on the finest paper.
At the silver or golden wedding the marriage ceremony adapted to suit th occasion is sometimes performed by a clergyman as part of the entertainment The motive of this would be to symbolize the continued trust and confidence the honored couple bear towards each other.
The usual forms of invitations used for wedding anniversaries are as follows:
Wooden Wedding
1872-1877
Mr. and Mrs. _____ _____ _____
Would be pleased to see you on _____ evening, _____ (date)
At _____ o'clock.
An early answer requested.                                  (Residence.)
Still another form is:

1860. China Wedding. 1880.
Mr. and Mrs, _____ _____ _____
At home
_____ evening, _____ (date)
An early answer desired.                                    Residence.)
Another form is:
Silver wedding.
1855—1880.
(name of groom)                                (name of bride):
Mr. and Mrs. _____ _____ _____
Request the pleasure of
______________________________'s
Company, on _____ evening, the _____ day of 18___
At _____ o'clock
An early answer requested.                                (Residence.)
Another form is:
1825—1875.
The honor of your company is requested at the
Golden Wedding Reception
of
Mr. and Mrs. _____ _____ _____
On _____ evening, _____(date) _____
At _____ o'clock.
R. S. V. P. (Residence.)