First anniversary planner
The first anniversary is usually just the two of you — a dinner, a trip, or a quiet night with the top tier of the wedding cake if you saved it. The traditional gift is paper, which makes it a good year to write things down.
- Start planning
- 3–4 weeks ahead
- Guests
- Usually just the two of you
- Traditional gift
- Paper (modern: Clocks)
Free to preview. Opens with the party pages, title and a 3-month calendar already set — change anything.
1st anniversary countdown
Start 3–4 weeks ahead. These dates go on the countdown page of your planner, with tick boxes.
4 weeks before
Book the restaurant or trip, set a budget.
2 weeks before
Order the paper gift or photo book.
1 week before
Write your letter, take the cake top out of the freezer if you saved it.
On the day
Dinner, letters, and plan year two together.
1st anniversary gift: paper
Paper suits letters, tickets, a printed photo book or a map of where you met. The modern list suggests clocks. Gift lists vary a little between countries; these are the most common.
1st anniversary ideas
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Letters to each other
Write a letter about your first year and swap them over dinner.
Return to the venue
Go back to where you married or had your first date.
Tickets as the gift
Concert or theatre tickets count as paper.
Photo book of year one
Your wedding and first-year photos in one book.
Plan year two
Spend an hour together on goals for the next year.
What's in the planner
Every page is linked from a tab, so you tap once to reach the guest list or the budget.
- Event Overview
- Party Countdown
- Party Budget
- Guests & RSVPs
- Menu & Drinks
- Shopping List
- Decor & Supplies
- Vendors
- Day-Of Timeline
- Photo Shot List
- Gifts & Thank-Yous
- Ideas & Inspiration
- Monthly and weekly calendar
- Notes
Tips for your 1st anniversary
- Photo books take 1–2 weeks to print — order early.
- Use a goal page to write down plans for your second year.
- Keep a copy of your letters in the planner.
- The cake top needs a day in the fridge to thaw.
1st anniversary questions
What is the traditional 1st anniversary gift?
Paper. The common modern alternative is clocks.
Can we plan year two in the same planner?
Yes — choose 12 months and add the goal or couples pages.
Is there a wedding planner too?
Yes: the wedding planner has a checklist, budget, guest list and vendors.
Other anniversaries
Also: birthday planners by number, wedding checklists by timeline, or the party planner.
Plan the 1st in one place
Countdown, budget, guests, menu, decor, photos and thank-yous — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.