If you're celebrating your first wedding anniversary, there are many ways to commemorate it! But what if you don't know where to start? We've all been there—it can be hard to know where to put effort into planning something special, especially when you're just getting used to the idea of being married. Here are some of my favorite ideas for how couples can celebrate their first year together:
Re-create your first date.
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Go to the same restaurant.
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Do the same activities.
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Do the same things you did on your first date, but in a new place if possible (e.g., if you went hiking at Yosemite National Park, maybe this time try it in Colorado).
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Try something new you couldn't do on your first date (e.g., skydiving).
Have a special dessert.
If you're feeling ambitious, you can make your dessert. You could bake a cake or cupcakes and decorate them with candles and frosting. Or maybe cookies are more your style? Or ice cream sandwiches? If you want to go the store-bought route, plenty of options will make the evening extra special--and tasty!
Plan a particular activity.
Your first anniversary is the perfect time to do something memorable, so start by planning a weekend away or finding a fun activity you can do together. If your relationship is still young, consider doing something unique to who you are as individuals--like hiking in the mountains or visiting an art museum together. You could also plan an activity to create lasting memories (like taking salsa lessons) or make both of you feel good (like going on a bike ride).
Find a new spot to go to.
You've probably been to many of the same places and done that same activity. Why not try something new?
Whether it's a restaurant, hiking trail or museum you've never tried, there are endless options for first-time experiences. Go on an adventure together in your city or venture out into another one for some time away from home (and maybe even make plans for another trip on your second anniversary!).
Get creative with the photos.
Your first anniversary is a great time to get creative with your photos. Try out different camera settings, angles, filters, and backgrounds. You can even try using a different lens or lighting setup! The possibilities are endless for finding new ways to commemorate this special day in your relationship.
Write each other letters.
It's a simple, effective way to make the most of your anniversary and reconnect with your partner meaningfully. You can write about anything you want or tell them how much you love them. Either way, it will be something you'll cherish as time goes on--and who knows? Your letter may even make its way into future anniversaries!
Go out of town for the weekend.
There are many options here: staying at a hotel, cabin, bed, breakfast, or even an Airbnb (if you don't mind sharing your home). If you're looking to save money and make it more memorable, consider renting out a room in someone's house or apartment and booking a flight or train ride to get there. You could also go camping--but only if that sounds fun! The point is that this should be an experience that's unique from your routine--and ideally, you can enjoy each other's company without distractions like phones or TV shows keeping you from talking about anything important.
After a year of marriage, it's easy to forget how much you have grown. After spending so much time together, you may feel like your partner is a stranger. One way to reconnect with each other is by reminiscing about the year and looking forward to the next one together!
Remind each other how far you had come by looking back on photos from when you first met, or maybe even before you met someone else who would eventually become part of their lives. Talk about what was different then compared with now: did either one or both have other jobs? Did they live in another city? Were there any significant life events (like graduating college)? If so, talk about those things too!
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for what to do on your first anniversary. The most important thing is to have fun together and remember that it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive--just something special for the two of you!