Year 1 // The Paper Anniversary

Last week Nick and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary and 12 years of being together … my, how time flies! Apparently paper is the traditional gift for a first anniversary which I was unaware of (now that I’m privy to the list, however, I have no excuse for future years ; ). I woke up to a sweet note and these framed paper prints, with words from Nick’s wedding vows. I had been aimlessly print shopping for the barren walls in our home, and these were so much more meaningful than anything I could’ve found.

Some of you may recognize these shoes from our wedding post…I had hand-stitched on crystal bracelets across the front to jazz them up a bit, which I then snipped off after the big day to make them more versatile. I got the idea from a creative friend who hot glue-gunned bracelets to her shoes, which is of course more permanent, but so much quicker and easier for fellow DIY enthusiasts!

I got lots of questions on this dress which is now low in sizes, but it’s been fully restocked once already so I’m hopeful it will be again! It doesn’t hurt to bookmark the page and check back in the mornings. I’m wearing a regular size US 0 with several inches cut off the bottom. It was originally an unfinished hem so I just took scissors to it for a customized length, with no sewing needed (the nature of the fabric does not seem fray-prone). It has a lot of stretch and give to it, and I’ve tried on my friend’s size 2 in the same dress as well and it fit fine for a flowy look. Btw, if you liked my yellow maxi skirt from a prior post, ASOS just came out with an affordable pleated yellow skirt in petite sizing. The skirt I have was in regular sizing and needed lots of alterations, but ASOS petites sizing runs very small so this one should fit shorter ladies off the rack.

We couldn’t resist popping into the Boston library, and taking some photos at the same spot where we said our I do’s. I was inspired by our friends Darren and Khatu who go back to where they got married each year and take a pictures together. I can only imagine looking back on all the photos one day and remembering the memories and milestones that each year held. I’m so excited to be their photographer this year, as she’ll be sporting an almost 9-month bump!

Do you guys celebrate anniversaries with the traditional gifts? I’d love to hear some of your favorite anniversary traditions, or about the gifts you found most creative or meaningful!