What to Engrave on an Anniversary Gift: Wording Ideas for Wooden Keepsakes

The best engraving on an anniversary gift is short and specific to the couple: their names and wedding date, plus one extra detail only they would recognise, such as the place they met, a line from their first dance or the number of years. On a wooden gift, keep it to a few short lines, because engraved text has to stay legible at the size of the piece.

Start with the essentials

• Names: first names ("Sarah & Tom") read more personally than a surname alone.
• The date: the wedding date, written out ("12 June 2021") or as numbers ("12.06.21").
• The year count, if it is a milestone: "5 years" or "Five years of us".

Add one personal detail

• Where they met or married: a town, a venue, or map coordinates.
• A line from their first dance song, kept to a few words. Use your own words or a very short phrase rather than whole lyrics.
• A private joke or nickname that means something to them.
• A short message from you: "Here's to the next five".

Wording ideas by anniversary

• 1st: "Our first year" with names and date.
• 5th (wood): "Five years, still growing" or "5 years of [names]". Wood is the traditional 5th anniversary gift; see what the anniversary lists say.
• 10th and beyond: the original wedding date with "Ten years" or the number of years.
• Vow renewal: both dates, the wedding and the renewal.

How much fits on each gift

Gift	Size	What fits well
Oak wall clock	30cm round	Names, date and a short line
Poem sign	A4	A short poem or several lines of your own words
Surname meaning sign	4 sizes	The surname and its meaning, which we write for you
Mr and Mrs coasters	100mm round	Names and date
Heart keyring	Small	Initials, a date or one short word

If you are unsure whether your wording will fit, write it in the personalisation box and ask for a proof in the same box. Proofs are not standard, so request one if you want to approve the layout first.

Before you order

• Copy names and dates carefully: engraving is permanent and is engraved as entered.
• Check spelling of names you have only heard said aloud.
• Allow for the dispatch time shown at checkout if the anniversary date is fixed.

All items are made to order. Dispatch time is shown at checkout. UK orders via Royal Mail Tracked 24. International via Royal Mail International Tracked.

Frequently asked questions

What should I engrave on an anniversary gift?
The couple's names and wedding date, plus one personal detail such as where they met, the number of years or a short line from their first dance.

How much text fits on a keyring?
Keep it to initials, a date or one short word, so the engraving stays legible.

Can I see the layout before engraving?
Yes, on request. Ask for a proof in the personalisation box; proofs are not standard.

Can I engrave song lyrics?
Keep to a few words or your own wording. A short phrase reads better on wood than a full verse.

Browse wooden anniversary gifts.