Wedding Anniversary Flowers by Year: What to Send from the 1st to the 50th

Choose by tradition, then make it personal

Wedding anniversary flowers are usually chosen by the year of marriage: carnations for the 1st, daisies for the 5th, daffodils for the 10th, roses for the 15th, lilies for the 30th, and yellow roses or violets for the 50th. That tradition is useful, but it is not a rule you must obey. If the traditional stem is out of season, strongly scented, or not liked by the recipient, a florist can keep the meaning through colour, shape, and overall style instead.

The best flowers for anniversary sending depend on three plain things: the year, the recipient’s taste, and the delivery date. A spouse may prefer red roses because they are romantic and familiar, while parents celebrating 50 years may appreciate a golden, vase-ready arrangement that looks finished on a dining table. In Canada, local availability can change by province and season, so it is normal for a florist to substitute a similar stem of equal value and style when a specific flower is short.

Wedding anniversary flowers by year: 1st to 10th

For the early years, anniversary flowers by year tend to be cheerful rather than formal. The 1st anniversary is commonly linked with carnations, which last well and come in red, pink, white, peach, and mixed tones. The 2nd is often lily of the valley, but because it is seasonal and not always practical for delivery, white spray roses or delicate white filler can give a similar soft feeling. The 3rd is often sunflowers, the 4th hydrangeas or geraniums, and the 5th daisies, all of which suit bright, relaxed arrangements.

From the 6th to the 10th, the traditional list becomes more varied. Calla lilies are often used for the 6th, freesias for the 7th, lilacs or clematis for the 8th, birds of paradise or poppies for the 9th, and daffodils for the 10th. Some of these are seasonal or hard to source in parts of Canada at certain times of year. If you are asking what flowers for anniversary gifts are safest, mixed seasonal flowers in the traditional colour family are often more reliable than insisting on one exact stem.

Milestone years people ask about most

The 15th anniversary is traditionally tied to roses, which is why a romantic design from roses is a clear choice for many couples. Red says romance, pink says affection and gratitude, white says respect, and mixed roses can feel warmer and less formal. If you want a little more background before choosing, the rose is one of the easiest flowers to match to a specific message because colour changes the meaning so clearly.

For 20 years, asters are a common traditional choice; for 25 years, irises are often used; and for 30th wedding anniversary flowers, lilies are the stem most people look for. A 30th is a good time to send something graceful and full, such as white lilies with soft greenery or a mixed arrangement with lilies as the main flower. Lilies can have a strong scent, so read more about the lily if fragrance matters in the recipient’s home, hospital room, or office.

40th and 50th anniversary flowers

For a 40th anniversary, many people choose red flowers because ruby is the traditional gift theme. Red roses, red gerberas, red carnations, burgundy mums, or deep red seasonal blooms can all work, depending on availability. This is a case where colour may matter more than the exact traditional flower. A compact red and white vase arrangement can feel classic, while a looser garden-style bouquet in red, pink, and cream feels softer and more suited to a home celebration.

For 50th anniversary flowers, the searched-for answer is usually yellow roses, violets, or a gold-toned arrangement. Since fresh violets are not always practical for florist delivery, 50th wedding anniversary flowers often use yellow roses, cream flowers, golden mums, alstroemeria, or warm greenery instead. The goal is to echo the golden anniversary without making the arrangement look harsh. If you are sending to parents or grandparents, a finished vased arrangement is usually easier than loose stems because it arrives ready to place.

What colour flowers should anniversary flowers be?

If you are wondering what color flowers for anniversary gifts should be, start with the relationship. Red is the most romantic choice for a spouse or partner, especially with love and romance designs. Pink is affectionate and warm, which suits both spouses and parents. White is elegant and respectful, not only for sympathy; the common idea that white flowers are always funeral flowers is too narrow. Yellow feels sunny and celebratory, especially for long marriages and 50th anniversaries.

What color should anniversary flowers be if you are unsure? Choose two main colours and one neutral. For example, red and pink with white filler feels romantic without being too heavy, while yellow and cream with green foliage feels bright and suitable for family celebrations. Avoid choosing only a favourite colour if the year has a strong tradition you want to honour. A good rule of thumb is to let the milestone guide the palette, then let the recipient’s taste guide the exact flowers.

Ordering anniversary flowers across Canada

If you are searching anniversary flowers near me, Flowers on Demand delivers across Canada through a network of local florists who arrange and hand-deliver orders. Delivery is available in AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, NT, NU, and YT. Orders are not sent from one central shop in company vans; they are fulfilled locally, which helps the arrangement suit the flowers available in the recipient’s area. Prices are in Canadian dollars, and delivery is a flat $19.99 CAD.

For same-day delivery, order by 1:00 PM in the recipient’s local time, Monday to Saturday. There is no Sunday delivery, so a Sunday anniversary is best handled by sending on Saturday or the following Monday. If a local florist is short a specific stem, substitutions of similar value and style can happen; that is normal in the flower industry, especially with seasonal stems. To send flowers for anniversary of marriage, browse the anniversary category and choose by year, colour, or mood.