18 years of marriage - what kind of wedding is it and how is it celebrated?

It is customary to name each of the anniversaries from the wedding day. And if the first birthdays of the family are called paper wedding, glass, calico, then the longer the family union lasts, the more durable and precious materials it is associated with.

An eighteen-year marriage can be called an "adult", and the anniversary itself is a turquoise wedding. Turquoise is a semi-precious stone known since ancient times with a characteristic azure blue, blue or blue-green color. From Persian its name means "stone of happiness" and also "stone of victory".

Scientists have not been able to establish exactly why the 18th anniversary of marriage is called turquoise. It can be interpreted as a victory over routine, adversity, misunderstanding, which is natural in the first years of married life: spouses get to know each other better, learn not only to appreciate the merits, but also not to notice, to forgive shortcomings.

Turquoise also symbolizes fidelity, eternal love. Spouses can no longer doubt each other's feelings, because for almost two decades they have been walking hand in hand through life. By this time, families usually have adult children, most of the household and housing problems have been resolved. Outside the family, in personal and career terms, spouses also usually reach certain heights and stability.

At the same time, they are still full of strength, energy, desires, and creative impulses. It is believed that from this period a "second wind" opens up for marriage, since more mature people begin to see new advantages and potential in their union.

One of the traditions on this day is the exchange of turquoise rings. We recommend engraving on them.On this day, the spouses put on each other turquoise rings, which in the future can be continued to be worn or stored as a family heirloom, a guardian of the hearth and family happiness.

The very name of the celebration suggests ideas for gifts - they should contain a turquoise stone or, in extreme cases, somehow be associated with it, a turquoise hue.

If jewelry is not popular in your family, you can choose figurines, dishes, home textiles in this range. The spouse can present the husband with a turquoise shirt or tie. The wife can be presented with beautiful lingerie, dress, scarf in the same range.

When choosing a gift, invited guests should be guided by the peculiarities of the celebration. We must not forget that in the future, both spouses should use the present.

If we talk about gifts in a small and medium price category, then it is appropriate for a married couple to give a set of linen, a set of tablecloths and napkins, a beautiful service in blue and turquoise colors.

More expensive gifts are usually given by children and close relatives. Household appliances and small electrical appliances - microwave oven, electric kettle, multicooker, washing machine and so on will be a useful gift. If you know that “newlyweds” need large equipment, for example, a refrigerator, then it is much more logical for several guests to unite and purchase the required item than to give symbolic, but not so necessary gifts. You can beat the turquoise theme by attaching a bow of the appropriate shade to the gift.

Another option for popular gifts is various certificates, season tickets, cinema or theater tickets. They can and should be given, because they are practical, but at the same time they leave a certain surprise moment. Remember to wrap your certificate in a turquoise envelope or paper.

Such gifts can be divided into real (the same certificate for a home appliance store) and gifts-impressions. The latter will come in handy for established families. If we can say about the “newlyweds” that they have everything, feel free to give them certificates to the spa, resort, sanatorium, restaurant or concert. It is highly probable that in trying to achieve the notorious "everything", the spouses have somewhat forgotten about feelings and tenderness. Give them the opportunity to be together.

When choosing gifts-experiences, do not forget about the personality of the gifted. It is unlikely that calm homebodies will be delighted with a certificate for a parachute jump, and avid travelers and fidgets - a quiet rest in a country sanatorium-boarding house. Giving a certificate for visiting Indian or Mexican cuisine to a spouse, one of whom suffers from gastritis, is not only irrational (they are unlikely to visit a restaurant with spicy and spicy cuisine together), but even unethical.

Children may be encouraged to choose more personal gifts for their parents. It can be photo frames, photo album filled with old and new pictures. If there are several children of different ages in the house, then the older ones can help the kids with the preparation of a gift - draw a picture-postcard together, learn a poem or a song.

It is good if you know the flower preferences of the bride. If not, choose classic bouquets that do not have flowers that fade quickly, overly capricious or too fragrant. Close friends and family can donate potted plants.But first, it would be nice to know how the "turquoise bride" relates to them. Perhaps, instead of joy, they will bring the chores associated with caring for the plant to her house.

There can be many options for holding a turquoise wedding, and it is foolish to deprive yourself of that holiday, which requires a soul to please traditions, fashion or the wishes of relatives. Let's consider some possible lines for the development of the festive scenario.

If you are raising children almost around the clock, leading subordinates and helping friends and family, then the anniversary may be the very day that you need to spend only together with your soul mate.

Start your morning with a joint breakfast, exchange of gifts and congratulations. Then you can go for a walk around the city, visit all those places that are dear to your heart. It is best to relieve fatigue after a walk, as well as prepare for an evening out in the spa.

You can also devote the evening to each other or gather your closest friends and relatives at the festive table.

If you feel that your soul requires a holiday, and you are ready to share your happiness with a large number of guests, throw a gorgeous (maybe not so) wedding. Not just an anniversary celebration, but real wedding fun.

Start your morning by getting the bride and groom ready, or even dress up in a wedding dress and suit or tuxedo. Let the groom call in with the best men for the bride and, in a fair fight, completing the tasks of the insidious bridesmaids, get permission to take her to the registry office or to an exit registration.

In a solemn atmosphere, you can say an oath of love, thank your half for the happily lived years and exchange turquoise rings. Take care of the festive decoration of the premises, musical, photo and video accompaniment of the holiday.

After sworn assurances, you can go on a car trip to memorable places, sights of the city, or just to a picnic in the countryside.

The decoration of the hall will help create a festive atmosphere. You don't even need to puzzle over which style to choose - make a color wedding, the main shade of which will be turquoise. You can even devote the whole celebration to him - include turquoise elements in the outfits of the "young" and guests, decorate cars, order a bridal bouquet and cake in turquoise colors, and so on.

Fans of unhurried conversations at the festive table, quiet gatherings with relatives can gather guests at home or in the country. The latter option, if conditions permit, will be the most comfortable, warm and at the same time quite democratic.

You can decorate your home and garden with small lanterns, set the table on the veranda or right on the street under the tent. The main dish will be shashlik, which will be prepared right there at the holiday by the owner of the house and the male guests.

If you invite close friends and relatives who know each other well to a holiday, then usually the conversation flows by itself, without requiring the presence of the presenter. However, children or former witnesses can bring thematic surprises into the course of the holiday.

You can give each guest (or combine them into mini-groups) an assignment, prepare songs and poems in honor of the "newlyweds", find out in advance the answers to the same questions from each of the spouses (conduct the survey secretly and separately for the husband and wife), and then arrange a comic quiz).

Even in a family holiday, you can make a themed wedding, for example, oblige guests to observe a certain dress code, decorate the house with turquoise tulle, bows, and balls.

Traditions and gifts for a turquoise wedding are described in the video.