40 inexpensive memorable wedding anniversary ideas

Every wedding anniversary is truly worth celebrating in a special way that is unique and fitting to you and your spouse. But of course, no couple should be under any obligation to spend a lot of money, book a table at the fanciest restaurant in town, or splurge on jewelry (unless they want to, of course).  With a thoughtful approach, even a zero-cost day can be very romantic.

Whether it’s your first anniversary or you’re celebrating decades of wedded bliss, take joy in throwing away any ideas about what you “should” do for your anniversary. Instead, plan only for things you actually want to do together. Make elaborate plans or keep it casual. Give gifts or choose a memorable experience instead. Celebrate with friends and family, or turn off your phones and pay attention only to each other.

It’s ideal for every married couple to be on the same page when it comes to budgeting for anniversary ideas. This isn’t just about your available funds, but also knowing what’s really important and worth the cost when it comes to commemorating an anniversary. The following cheap wedding anniversary ideas embrace that ethos, and prove that sometimes, “cheap” really can be a romantic word!

1. Relive your wedding through photos and keepsakes

Beautiful wedding photos are always worth the time, energy, and funds invested in them. Putting together a stunning wedding photo album takes a lot of effort as well. It’s all worth it when you look through your album, watch your wedding video, or read through the heartfelt messages in your guest book. These are tangible mementos full of happy memories from your most special day.

There’s no better day to look through your wedding album and other mementos than your anniversary. Make it an anniversary tradition to spend a little time together flipping through the album and talking about your memories of the day. You might even select a new favorite photo from your wedding album to order as a home decor print.

2. Write a love letter to each other

Although it costs no money at all, writing love letters to each other is one of the best cheap wedding anniversary ideas to keep the romance alive. Even if you’re not the sentimental type, let this a once-a-year special occasion inspire you to write some sweet words to your spouse. It can be short and sweet – just enough to fit inside a greeting card. Simply tell your husband or wife why you’re grateful for being together and what makes them special to you.

Need some inspiration? Here are 28 ideas for happy anniversary messages along with some of our favorite wedding day quotes that can be repurposed for your anniversary.

3. Create an anniversary photo album

All the pleasure you get looking through your wedding photo album can be replicated when you create a romantic photo album for your anniversary. Spend some of your anniversary going through photos together and choosing favorites that capture the happiest moments of your marriage.

Designing an anniversary album is easier with a theme. How about the number of years of marriage that you’re celebrating? For a 10-year anniversary, for example, choose Mixbook’s 10 reasons why I love you book theme.

4. Cook a special meal together

Going out for a romantic restaurant meal is a go-to anniversary experience, but it can be pricey. A considerably more cheap wedding anniversary idea that can be just as romantic is cooking a special meal together. Adapt this idea to suit your particular skill level, desires, and ingredients budget. It can be romantic to learn a new recipe together, follow a chef’s instruction video, or pick new recipes from a cookbook.

You might plan a home-cooked anniversary meal around one of these themes:

• Recreate your wedding reception menu
• A dish from the cuisine of your honeymoon destination
• Each of your favorite family recipes from childhood
• The dishes you’d order in the imaginary restaurant of your dreams

5. Recreate your first date

It does not matter if you have been married for one year, one decade, or more years than you can remember – you almost certainly remember your first date like it was yesterday. From the get-to-know-you conversations to the drinks or meal you enjoyed on that special occasion, why not recreate it all for a fun anniversary idea?

6. Have an anniversary photoshoot

If you're looking for something that's more long-lasting than the typical "post on social media" kind of celebration, plan an anniversary photo shoot. This can be anything from simple selfies in front of your favorite restaurant or landmark to something more elaborate like getting dressed up or posing at an exotic location. You can even get creative with props. The important thing is capturing the two of you as a couple.

Hire a photographer or recruit that friend who always takes amazing pics, or brush up on your own skills with our photography tips. After your photo shoot, choose your favorite images and order a set of metal prints, canvas prints, or acrylic blocks as the perfect anniversary gifts.

7. How it started vs how it’s going photo shoot

If you have old photos lying around that haven't been looked at in years (or ever), now is the perfect time to dig them up. Choose two or three of your favorite photos and recreate them exactly as they were originally taken – you can even try taking new ones in the same spot if possible.

Create a new photo book, post them on social media with an anniversary-themed caption, or use them for custom photo cards.

8. YouTube karaoke

Who doesn't love karaoke? Not only is it fun, but it's also something you can do anywhere — even at home if you don't have access to an actual karaoke bar. YouTube karaoke at home is also great for singers who are shy, as it’s only you and your spouse (plus any invited friends) who will hear you hit or miss those notes.

If you want to get creative, find a song with lyrics about marriage and then sing along. You could pick the songs you used to listen to when you were dating, songs that played during your wedding reception, or any other music that’s meaningful to you as a couple.

9. Create an anniversary playlist

Another way to get musical with your husband or wife is to create a special anniversary playlist. Go through all your old playlists and put together all the songs that remind you of your spouse. Or, just pick out songs that are special to you both. Put your playlist on in the car while you’re driving or in the background while you’re enjoying other cheap wedding anniversary ideas.

If your budget allows for it, turn your anniversary playlist into a gift – how about a custom vinyl record or personalized song plaque. A less pricey idea is to print a QR code linking to your playlist inside a card.

10. Take a stroll through your favorite places

There is nothing quite as romantic as strolling hand in hand with your partner, especially when the sun is shining and the weather is wonderful. Taking a pleasant walk through the neighborhood or the place where you first met is a great way to spend that special anniversary.

11. Host a game night

Playing a board game or card game is an easy way to have fun with your spouse while celebrating the day. Invite friends or family as an inexpensive way to host an anniversary party, or keep it to just the two of you. Either way, some budget-friendly drinks and snacks will amp up the party vibe. To make your anniversary game night more special, buy a new (or thrifted) game or order a pack of custom playing cards featuring your favorite wedding photo.

12. A romantic picnic in the park

A romantic meal doesn’t have to take place at a table. Bring your anniversary meal to a scenic outdoor space, whether it’s a beach, lakeside spot, or just the local park. Prepare some elevated picnic fare – a few steps up from PB&Js, at least – and bring candles and real tableware and glassware, plus a picnic blanket and cushions for a comfy and romantic experience.

13. Go on a camping trip for two

If you enjoy camping as a couple, a one-night trip is an excellent cheap wedding anniversary idea. Pick a serene spot to set up camp and bring all the home comforts you can for a romantic night under the stars. Campfire hot dogs and s’mores might just be the best anniversary dinner ever.

14. Enjoy backyard glamping

Enjoy the best parts of camping in your own backyard, where you have immediate access to everything you could need to enjoy the evening. Light a bonfire or fire pit for s’mores, plus tiki torches for atmosphere. Bring out piles of blankets and pillows for lying down under the stars, and enjoy outdoor games like cornhole or horseshoes. The best part is that at the end of your anniversary glamping evening, you get to sleep in your own bed.

15. Host a budget-friendly potluck party

If you’re torn between wanting to throw an anniversary party and finding cheap wedding anniversary ideas, know that you don’t have to compromise. It’s possible to throw a party and celebrate your anniversary with your friends and family without breaking the budget. Keep it simple with a potluck, a playlist, and inexpensive decorations like balloons and paper streamers.

16. Attend a movie matinee

Going out to a movie is a classic date night experience, but it can get pricey when you add up the tickets, popcorn, and drinks. Look up matinee showings at your local movie theaters and you can turn this into a cheap wedding anniversary idea that’s still fun and romantic.

17. Have a movie night at home

Watching a movie at home can become a special anniversary experience if you put a little extra effort into it. Plan in advance to watch a movie you both really want to see – save one for the occasion to add some anticipation to the evening. Romances and comedies are good choices for those anniversary vibes, but just make sure it’s a movie you’ll both enjoy.

Bring in some favorite drinks and snacks, or order takeout. Make the room as dark as possible, find the comfiest spots on the couch, put your phones on silent in another room, and snuggle in for your viewing.

18. Make DIY jewelry for each other

Gifting jewelry might not be the first cheap anniversary idea that comes to mind, but making DIY jewelry for each other is inexpensive and romantic. The shared creative experience amplifies the gifts you give and receive at the end.

Purchase an inexpensive jewelry making kit, which could range from a set of colorful beads to a more elaborate gem, crystal, or charm set. Make sure the kit includes all the necessary tools and instructions, and spend a fun few hours crafting unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or perhaps keychains for each other. Even if the results are on the imperfect side, you’ll treasure those DIY anniversary gifts forever.

19. Hit up a local trivia night

Celebrate your anniversary with a trivia night and enjoy the fun of teamwork amplified by competitive spirit. Look for a local pub quiz or any bar or cafe hosting a trivia night, and play as a twosome. Win or lose, you’ll have a great time together and be reminded that you make a great team.

20. At-home paint night

Take inspiration from paint-and-sip classes (which are also a great choice for an anniversary date) and enjoy your own paint night at home. Find a painting instruction video on YouTube or look up old Bob Ross episodes, and pick a painting that you both like and feel is achievable for your skill level.

Stock up on inexpensive canvases, brushes and acrylic paints, plus your favorite drinks and snacks, and set up a space to be your temporary art studio. Follow along with the instruction video, pausing and rewinding at your own pace, and wow each other with your painting skills. Hang those paintings with pride, and you’ll remember this fun anniversary experience every time you look at them.

21. Play a round of mini-golf

Bring out your silly side and some good-natured rivalry with your spouse by playing a round of mini-golf on your anniversary. Most towns and cities have at least one course nearby, and some have arcades, go-karts, and other attractions attached for even more playful fun.

22. Visit a museum

Strolling around an interesting museum can be a very pleasant way to spend a few hours together with your spouse. This experience ranges from checking out a small, local art museum followed by coffee, or a full day trip to a major institution in your closest big city. Choose a museum that suits your shared interests, whether that’s art, natural history, or something more niche.

Tip: Look up free museum days to save money on this already fairly cheap wedding anniversary idea.

23. Plant flowers or a fruit tree

For the poetically inclined, turn a gardening session into a totally romantic experience for your next wedding anniversary. A seed, seedling, or plant chosen and put in the soil together on your anniversary, then lovingly tended as it grows and flourishes, can be a beautiful metaphor for marriage!

Dedicate the day to choosing a particular flower or fruit tree to grow, visiting a nursery to buy the supplies, and picking the perfect spot for it to thrive. You don’t even have to have a garden for this cheap wedding anniversary idea. It works equally well with a doorstep planter, window box, or even an indoor houseplant.

24. Enjoy a fancy wine and cheese hour

As an anniversary treat, replicate those sophisticated wine and cheese receptions offered at fancy B&Bs, but in your own home. The wines and cheeses don’t need to be expensive, and you can sometimes find fancier cheeses in small portions for just a few dollars each. Make a pretty spread with crackers, some fruits, honey, and preserves, and decorate the table with flowers and candles. If the weather is nice, enjoy your wine and cheese hour outdoors.

25. Indulge in an at-home spa day

A day at a luxury spa is delightful, but expensive. Instead, plan your own at-home spa day with some budget-friendly sheet masks, massage oils, scrubs, lotions, and a pedicure kit. Dedicate a space to be your home spa and place some candles and aromatherapy products around, and play a calming instrumental soundtrack. Wear bathrobes and warm some towels and washcloths in the dryer. Take turns to give each other facials, pedicures, and massages.

26. Take a hike

For a couple that enjoys spending time outdoors, hitting a hiking trail is a great thing to do for a wedding anniversary. This isn’t only a cheap wedding anniversary idea, it’s free! Maybe splash out on some gourmet trail mix. Choose a trail you know and love, or discover a brand new one.

27. Arrange a scavenger hunt

Turn an anniversary gift into a playful experience by putting it at the end of a scavenger hunt. The concept is simple: Hide a series of clues around the home or outdoors, and only give your anniversary gift to your spouse after they solve the final clue. Try to make the clues relevant to your wedding or marriage, such as, “Look under something in the kitchen that’s the color of my bridesmaids’ dresses.”

28. Go on a short, spontaneous road trip

A road trip doesn’t have to be long or elaborate. Pull up a map of your local area and plot a circle marking a one- or two-hour journey from your home. Either find a spot within the circle that you’ve never visited before, or close your eyes and point. This is a great way to discover a new-to-you destination and enjoy a spontaneous adventure together.

29. How about a stargazing excursion?

There’s something timelessly romantic about gazing at the stars together. Choose a place where you can get away from city lights, bring blankets and a travel mug of hot tea or coffee, and head to your chosen spot around sunset. If you want to learn more about the stars and constellations, pull up a stargazing app on your phone.

30. Adopt a pet

This cheap wedding anniversary idea does take some serious consideration and planning, but if you’ve already decided you want to adopt a pet together, there’s no better date to do it. Visit a shelter or make plans to come and adopt your new pet on the day of your wedding anniversary. Combining two such memorable days together will forever make both your pet’s adoption day and your wedding anniversary more special.

31. Go thrifting together

Couples who agree to stick to a budget might already know about the fun of thrifting; otherwise, what are you waiting for? There are treasures to be uncovered in your local antique, vintage, and thrift stores, and finding them together is a fun way to spend your anniversary. You could shop for gifts for each other with a price limit, or pick out a new household item. Old records, art, vintage clothing and jewelry, and housewares are all excellent choices.

32. Be tourists in your hometown

It’s not uncommon for those living in major tourist towns to overlook all the popular destinations. Even if your hometown has just one or two modest visitor attractions, it’s time to play tourist and check them out. Look on a review site such as Yelp or Tripadvisor, put in your hometown, and see what’s on the list.

33. Embellish a set of picture frames

You know you have frame-worthy photos stuck in your phone storage, just waiting to be printed and displayed. Use your anniversary as the inspiration for finally getting those beautiful pictures up on the wall. Purchase some inexpensive, plain picture frames, and spend some time decorating them with your spouse. Many different arts and crafts techniques are suitable for this couples’ activity, including painting, decoupage, wood-burning, and glass painting.

34. Watch the sunset

Create a magical moment at the end of your anniversary day by watching the sunset together. Find the prettiest outdoor space you can, whether it’s a beach, park, or maybe a rooftop venue, and simply sit and watch the sunset together. Bring a camera for a beautiful sunset selfie.

35. Botanical garden stroll

Look up your nearest botanical garden and head there on your anniversary for a lovely stroll. There’s something so sweet and romantic about walking together amid the beauty of nature. Many botanical gardens have nurseries attached where you can purchase a plant as a memento and inexpensive anniversary gift to each other.

36. Play a new video game

If you and your spouse are gamers, treat each other to a new video game as an anniversary gift and spend the day playing it together. Make sure it’s a two-player game you think you’ll both enjoy. If the budget’s too tight for a big-ticket game, check out the bargain offerings for games you’ve never heard of (you know, the ones with terrible graphics). You might discover one that’s surprisingly fun!

37. Rent a boat

Getting out on the water when the weather is nice is a pleasant way to spend an anniversary. If you have a local lake or harbor offering boat rentals, check them out. Row boats and pedal boats are usually the cheaper options, but you might rent a little electric boat for an hour. Bring a picnic and perhaps some fishing gear.

38. Visit your wedding venue

Have you ever returned to your wedding venue? If not, consider paying a visit for your anniversary. Depending on the type of venue, you might just walk around and reminisce, or be able to stop in for a drink or meal. All the memories of that happy day will come right back to you.

39. Go skating

Find a roller rink or ice-skating rink and get out for a spin, hand-in-hand! You don’t need to be skillful on skates to enjoy this activity. Most rinks have food and drinks available, and sometimes arcades where you can try to win a prize for your sweetheart.

40. Renew your vows

Renewing your vows doesn’t have to involve anything expensive, and it doesn’t need to be elaborate. Get dressed up in fancy clothing you already own and buy or pick some flowers. Ask a friend to be the “officiant,” and visit a meaningful or scenic spot or just hold your little ceremony at home. Recite a modified version of your original wedding vows or write new vows that reference your years of married life.

You can follow the vow renewal with a small party for friends and family, or just keep it to yourselves.

Ready to celebrate your wedding anniversary?

Your anniversary only comes once a year (or perhaps you’re eager to rejoice in your 6-month anniversary – congrats!) and you want to make it as romantic as possible. As the date approaches, the cheap wedding anniversary ideas above can help you keep the spark of romance alive in your relationship.

However you spend your special day, don’t forget to take lots of photos! Check out Mixbook’s latest deals so you can turn them into a photo book, calendar, card, or home decor at a discounted price.