5th anniversary planner
Five years in, life is often busy — new jobs, a house, maybe small children. A fifth anniversary is a good excuse to book a proper night or weekend away and to look back at how much has changed.
- Start planning
- 4–6 weeks ahead
- Guests
- Usually the two of you
- Traditional gift
- Wood (modern: Silverware)
Free to preview. Opens with the party pages, title and a 3-month calendar already set — change anything.
5th anniversary countdown
Start 4–6 weeks ahead. These dates go on the countdown page of your planner, with tick boxes.
6 weeks before
Book the getaway and childcare.
3 weeks before
Order the wood gift (engraving takes time).
1 week before
Pack, plan the day, confirm bookings.
On the day
Go, and leave the phone in the bag for a while.
5th anniversary gift: wood
Wood suits a carved keepsake box, a tree to plant together or handmade furniture. The modern list suggests silverware. Gift lists vary a little between countries; these are the most common.
5th anniversary ideas
Pick one and build the plan around it. There are blank ideas pages in the planner for screenshots and sketches.
Plant a tree
A tree that grows with the marriage.
Cabin weekend
A wooden cabin in the woods fits the theme.
Five-year map
Mark everywhere you've been together on a wooden map.
Babysitter booked
If you have kids, the gift might simply be a night off.
Recreate the first date
Same place, same order.
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 5th anniversary
- Engraved gifts can take two to three weeks.
- Book childcare as soon as you book the trip.
- Use the photo list page to plan a few pictures of just the two of you.
- Write five things you're proud of from five years — keep it in the planner.
5th anniversary questions
What is the traditional 5th anniversary gift?
Wood. A common modern alternative is silverware.
How far ahead should we book?
Four to six weeks for a weekend away; more for school holidays.
Can we use it as a couples planner?
Yes — add goal pages and choose 12 months.
Other anniversaries
Also: birthday planners by number, wedding checklists by timeline, or the party planner.
Plan the 5th in one place
Countdown, budget, guests, menu, decor, photos and thank-yous — hyperlinked for GoodNotes, Notability or print.