I remember being rather stuck when it came to our first wedding anniversary – traditionally you give your husband/wife a present made from paper but I just couldn’t think what to give mine (until I had a brainwave!). I’ve just had an email from an old friend/photographer, asking me for some pressie ideas and suggestions on where he could take his lovely wife to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. So I thought I’d share in case there were any others wondering the same thing?
For a first wedding anniversary present I bought my husband a limited edition print (on lythograph paper) by an up and coming Parisian guerilla photographer, called JR. It was right up his boulevard and who knows it might even be a good investment if JR becomes the next Banksy 
Alternative presents which would go down well with me would be vouchers for anything – massage, facial or a spa day, Selfridges or any of those lovely shops so that I can treat myself as and when.
Lovely places to go for the night are the Four Seasons in Hampshire, which has one of the most amazing spas, The Cliveden in Berkshire, which is very grand and also a gorgeous (but I imagine very expensive) wedding venue. I know that Julia Boggio, the reknowned wedding photographer has photographed a couple of weddings there. Last of all and I haven’t been here, but I have to the London one, is The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield, with its kitsch rooms, beautiful terrace, outdoor pool and incredible cuisine, this is definitely on my list for my next treat. Actually top of the list once I had read about the Thai masseuse based at the hotel. Sounds like heaven.
If you’re looking for a bit of a sun, but somewhere near enough for just the weekend then Palma is also one of my favourites. I love The Portixol, a stylish, sea front hotel, Scandinavian design (or so it looks), incredible food and just the perfect weekend break destination. I have spent many an afternoon playing backgammon by the pool and sipping cocktails. It is so worth a visit.
Please do share any first wedding anniversary present ideas or places to go with me and the rest of our readers. I’d love to know what you did for yours. X
Lovely photos and some great suggestions – love what you got your husband, great idea.
Our anniversary isn’t till October but we’ve booked our main holiday around it – we’ll be in New Orleans for part of it, which is when our anniversary falls. I think there’ll be lots of food, a fair bit of booze and hopefully a great deal of live music. Can’t wait. Not sure whether we’ll go in for the whole paper thing though…we’ll see. I guess it depends if either of us are inspired!
Well it is all a bit of a secret but our anniversary isn’t till December and I have booked a surprise trip to Krakow for the lovely hubbie – he knows nothing about it and have arranged with work for him to have the time off.
My plan is to print the boarding pass, hotel confirmation and Polish note and get them framed for him to unwrap on the morning before we pack and leave for our flight. I just hope he loves it!
X
Just thought you might be interested. I have a company called Picture My Dress, selling bespoke fashion illustrations of the bride, groom or the couple together. Most of my orders are for actual wedding day gifts but I also have orders for anniversary gifts especially the first anniversay as it’s paper!
To have a look at my gallery check out http://www.picturemydress.com
Terrific post and great pictures. I remember I agonized over my first wedding anniversay gift. In the end I had 2 of our wedding photos converted to canvas prints, trying to stick with the paper theme. She loved it.
Tony recently posted..Ideal First Anniversary Gifts updated Sun Mar 13 2011 12-32 pm CDT