Year 1 // The Paper Anniversary

wedding anniversary photos_something blue_extra petite blog

ASOS pleated dress sz 0 (length cut shorter – no sewing needed; similar),
Manolo Blahnik shoes (similar here or here), Baublebar earrings (also sold here)

asos maxi dress_boston public library_extra petite blog

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.

paper first year anniversary gift vows prints

boston-print-anniversary-gift

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!

asos pleated blue maxi dress_petite fashion

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.

boston public library wedding anniversary blue dress

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!

wedding anniversary photos_Boston library extra petite

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!

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45 Comments

  1. Emily wrote:

    Just wanted to share this amazing gift idea from Dreamlines. My husband gave me a sketch of my dress, bouquet and heels. Really amazing present.

    Posted 3.28.21 Reply
  2. Olga Żak Ms.WildHead wrote:

    You look so beautiful here. The last pic is awesome 😀

    Posted 7.18.16 Reply
  3. Jen wrote:

    I'm a little late, but happy anniversary! What a great way to celebrate 🙂

    I did have a few questions in regards to the dress:

    -I noticed the material of the dress if heavier than I am used to. That being so, how do you store it–is hanging it okay or will that weigh the straps down and cause them to stretch?

    -Since it is a pleated dress, is it okay to steam it to get any wrinkles out?

    Thank you!

    Posted 7.15.16 Reply
  4. Jen wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 7.15.16 Reply
  5. Liz Perry wrote:

    Your husband's gift to you is so awesome! My husband & I also celebrate our anniversary with traditional gifts – but we usually put a spin on it. We just celebrated 4 years of marriage (fruit/flowers or appliances). In lieu of appliances my husband got me some much-desired cooking supplies. I got him a coordinating pocket square & tie, and the pocket square had a floral pattern. 🙂 LOVE your ASOS dress and your anniversary picture idea!!

    Posted 7.10.16 Reply
  6. Jean wrote:

    I love just a dinner out as well, but any excuse to travel the world with a loved one (and potentially take pretty photos together) is a good one for me!

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  7. Jean wrote:

    Thank you! Ah I wish I could help, but I think he had a friend of ours do it.

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  8. Jean wrote:

    I love those ideas!! Sentimental and utilitarian as well : )

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  9. Jean wrote:

    Congrats on almost 15! That's definitely something to celebrate this year. And yes I was very patient and it eventually paid off, ha ; )

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  10. Jean wrote:

    Hi! Thank you…and here you go! It's a winter-y post but for summer I've worn it with a cropped top or camisole tucked in. https://www.extrapetite.com/2016/03/winter-to-spring-transition-how-to.html

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  11. Julia Mazzucato wrote:

    Happy anniversary! I remember watching your wedding video (and tearing up) like it was yesterday! You look gorgeous and so happy.
    Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  12. Linda Tran wrote:

    Oh my god, happy anniversary to you two! You look absolutely lovely! 🙂

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  13. t'sshania wrote:

    You look stunning in that dress, and such cute photos love!.

    New post
    http://www.itsshania.com/index.php/2016/07/05/slayed-for-summer/

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  14. mary wrote:

    I love the prints! Did you have them made somewhere? Would love to see the source if possible!

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  15. Fashion Fills Your Heart wrote:

    Such a wonderful post! Congratulations!

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  16. Kristie Glenn wrote:

    Congratulations and such you're such a beautiful couple. That dress is everything!!

    http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
    http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  17. Sophie Stewart wrote:

    Beautiful dress! Sophie x

    sophiehmstewart.com

    Posted 7.7.16 Reply
  18. Diane Hoang wrote:

    You two are so cute! 12 years is such a long time, wow! I've never heard of a paper anniversary, but I'm glad that you brought it up because I know now 🙂

    xx, Diane || http://www.dizined.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  19. Maggie Zemanek wrote:

    Happy anniversary!! My husband and I are at one and a half years and didn't do the traditional gift for our first year… But I might need to start!!

    http://www.maggiealamode.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  20. THE NEON FACTOR | Diana wrote:

    Your dress is so beautiful!
    ||D I A N A||
    http://www.TheNeonFactor.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  21. Valeri wrote:

    Sweet paper gift from your man. I love it. Thank you for sharing.

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  22. Joyce Pak wrote:

    Congratulations, I can't believe that it's already been one full year! Nick is so sweet and these photos look amazing 🙂

    Characters & Carry-ons

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  23. Carol P wrote:

    Happy Anniversary! Gorgeous as always!

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  24. Lo wrote:

    Happy Anniversary, and gorgeous photos, as usual!! We did plane tickets for the paper anniversary and took a trip, and for the second one, cotton, we got plush robes to go in our new master bath for the house we'd built that finished just weeks before our second anniversary (and ironically found to feel just like the robes we loved on the trip we took from the first anniversary!). Hoping the leather coming up this year gives us a good excuse to go jacket shopping since our anniversary is in the fall!

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  25. BE MY MEMORIES wrote:

    Happy Anniversary!! You both are amazing 🙂

    xoxo,

    Kann

    http://bemymemories.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  26. The Short (dis)Order Cook wrote:

    I don't know why I never thought to do the traditional gifts. Every anniversary (and it's almost 15 years now) seems to bring something new. Sometimes we plan it and sometimes we wing it. We never neglect to celebrate. Maybe I should try to be traditional this year.

    12 years??? You are patient! After dating my husband for 2 years I was on the brink of giving him the "Sh*t or get off the pot" talk." 😀

    I love those shoes so much! I always have trouble finding shoes in blue and yet I always want them because I have so much blue in my wardrobe.

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  27. Rach101601 wrote:

    Hi, Jean!! What a thoughtful anniversary gift! Stunning photos! Happy Anniversary! I'm keeping my eye out for this dress to come back in size 0. Meanwhile would you mind linking your previous post in which you mention a similar yellow, pleated skirt? I don't recall it, for some reason! Would love to see how you styled it. Thank you so much!

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  28. affecionada wrote:

    That dress, these photos, and that location! The writing and the prints made me tear up – they reminded me of the clip of your wedding. Happy anniversary! x

    Jen | affecionada

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  29. BW02 wrote:

    We usually go out for dinner for anniversaries. I'm also thinking of continuing the whole, "Book a couples photoshoot at grand travel destinations," like I had done for us in Paris. I like the idea especially because we both like to travel – myself a little more (I would even go alone) – and it's a fun – albeit expensive – couples activity. PLUS a momento!

    http://www.dressupchowdown.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  30. Keri H wrote:

    Omg the photos with you and your husband warm my heart!! Looks like it's straight out of a film. So beautiful!

    Enclothed Cognition

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  31. Sharan Kaur wrote:

    Happy anniversary! You both are SO adorable! Love your dress!

    xoxo
    Sharan
    http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  32. Julie Hiller wrote:

    I love how flowy and pretty that dress is! It's a great color.

    It sounds like you had a great anniversary. Your husband is so sweet!

    Lifestyle by Joules

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  33. Tara | The Mix wrote:

    Happy Anniversary!

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  34. Cheyanne Jordan wrote:

    Beautiful dress!
    -Cheyanne
    http://www.lifeofcheyanne.blogspot.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  35. Kristina wrote:

    You are positively glowing in that first shot! Congratulations on your anniversary!

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  36. La Bijoux Bella | by mia wrote:

    Simply beautiful! 🙂

    La Bijoux Bella | by mia

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  37. Petite and So What wrote:

    Happy Anniversary!!! <3
    Your outfit is awesome, in love with this long blue dress! <3
    Xxx

    Julie, Petite and So What?

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  38. Chloe Zee wrote:

    Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to future celebrations

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  39. Dressed With Soul wrote:

    You look like a very beautiful princess in the wonderful blue dress!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  40. Trang Do wrote:

    Gorgeous dress!! You are so beautiful!
    Xoxo,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  41. Meghan wrote:

    Congratulations on your anniversary!! Me and my boyfriend don't really exchange gifts. We do go out and celebrate each other's company 🙂

    Meghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  42. Uyen wrote:

    Congrats on your anniversary! Such a beautiful couple!

    Uyen
    https://wenandwear.com/

    Posted 7.6.16 Reply
  43. Julia W wrote:

    You two are such wonderful style and relationship role models! ♥

    Posted 7.5.16 Reply
  44. Kblossoms wrote:

    Taking trips is what we do for our anniversary http://www.kblossoms.etsy.com

    Posted 7.5.16 Reply
  45. Maria Abad wrote:

    Such cute photos, congrats on your anniversary. I love the twirl shots, I tried to do something similar while a shooting a twirl perfect dress and they came out blurry. I like the neck cut and the color on this pleated maxi dress. Have a great rest of your week.
    XO,
    Maria
    MariaOnPoint http://mariaonpoint.com/ | Find me on IG https://www.instagram.com/mariajabad/

    Posted 7.5.16 Reply

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