Whilst researching Wedding Anniversaries we found a 10th wedding anniversary poem. We hope it gives you some inspiration! The holding of celebrations on the anniversaries of different epochs of Married Life has become a very pleasant feature of modern times from our research it appears these were popularised in the Victorian era. These celebrations appear to be larger and more lavish than nowadays.

The earlier celebrations for wedding anniversaries bring out lots of happy jollity and kind-heartedness. While those pertaining to longer marriages, when the crumbling milestones remind all of the years that have passed on the travel to the “Sweet By and By” are often made the occasion of a deal of sobered pleasure and deep thankfulness, as reminiscences of many merciful “Providences” offset the inevitable mischances that have beset even the happiest journey through life.

We found a Poem for a Tin-Wedding Celebration (Tenth Anniversary) from an American book published in 1878

Ten years have cycled o’er the lands
In strange eventful roll,
Since our good friends, in -wedlock firm,
Have joined both hand and soul.
And now—if we may judge by signs
Apparent to the dullest sight—
Although they may not mines have dug,
Nor brought the welling “ile” to light.
They’ve won a treasure richer far
Than “barrels of ile,” or piles of gold:
Pure home-life with affections warm.
Which rust eats not, nor cankers mold.

Tin was well chosen—free from spot—
Now ten years you’ve been man and wife
To show how homelike virtues wear—
To the Tenth year of married life.
Not iron, harsh, and rough, and crude,—
A symbol of the reign of force,—
But tin, so smooth, and giving face
To every metal, rough and coarse.
With Tin we think of hearthside themes:.
The dipper in the bucket oaken,
Where wild “Bub” dips poor Sis’s head,
And gives her jaunty curls a soakin’.
The oven—often called the Dutch—
But why—(tho’ they’re not much at boasting)
Unless because Von Troomp could give
His country’s foes a thorough roasting.
Tin saucepans for the dainty taste,
To make good food seem even better;
And mince-pie pans whose luscious bake
Would make Epicurus your debtor.
In ten years’ time a worthy wife
Will know what virtues are in tin.
And rightly used for viands rare,
She’s sure her husband’s love to win.
H. L. W 1878.

Notes: Read “barrels of ile,” as barrels of oil, from our scant research it appears ‘ile’ is an old fashioned spelling of oil!

Viands – an item of food

The book did not specify who H.L.W was so if anyone can shed some light on whom the poet is please drop us a line.

If you would like some up to date gift ideas for 10th wedding anniversary then please go to our main 10th Wedding Anniversary page, some examples are below: