40th ruby anniversary planner
A ruby anniversary — forty years — is usually a family party, often planned by the children for their parents. Deep red, a long table and a room full of people from four decades of marriage.
- Start planning
- 3–4 months ahead
- Guests
- Usually 30–80
- Traditional gift
- Ruby
Free to preview. Opens with the party pages, title and a 6-month calendar already set — change anything.
40th anniversary countdown
Start 3–4 months ahead. These dates go on the countdown page of your planner, with tick boxes.
4 months before
Set the budget and date, book the venue.
3 months before
Send save-the-dates, book caterer and photographer.
6 weeks before
Send invitations, order the cake and flowers.
3 weeks before
Chase RSVPs, collect photos, plan speeches.
On the day
Toasts, photos, cake, first dance.
40th anniversary gift: ruby
Ruby suits jewellery, red roses, or a bottle of red from the year you married. Gift lists vary a little between countries; these are the most common.
40th anniversary ideas
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Ruby red party
Red roses, red velvet cake and red wine.
Forty years in photos
A gallery wall by decade.
Wedding-year wine
A bottle from the wedding year, if you can find one.
Family toast
Each child or grandchild says one line.
Ruby trip
Somewhere you've talked about for forty years.
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 40th anniversary
- Ask guests for a favourite photo with the couple.
- Plan seating so old friends sit together.
- Order red flowers well ahead around Valentine's or Christmas.
- Keep a list of who sent cards for the thank-yous.
40th anniversary questions
What is the 40th anniversary called?
The ruby anniversary. Ruby is the traditional gift.
How far ahead should we plan?
Three to four months for a party with a venue.
Can the planner track RSVPs and dietary needs?
Yes, the guest list has columns for both.
Other anniversaries
Also: birthday planners by number, wedding checklists by timeline, or the party planner.
Plan the 40th in one place
Countdown, budget, guests, menu, decor, photos and thank-yous — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.