Celebrating a special wedding anniversary does not have to be expensive. Here are some ideas that won't break the bank:

Dust off the photo album

Look through old pictures together and reminisce about your special day. This will bring back happy memories and remind you how far you’ve come as a couple.

Write a love letter to each other

In this letter, tell your spouse why you're grateful for being together and what makes them special to you. Keep it short and sweet — after all, it is a letter! But don't forget to include something from that year that impacted both of you and something new that will help keep the romance alive. Make sure you put them somewhere safe so they don’t get lost. If you need any inspiration for your heartfelt message, here are some of our favorite wedding day quotes that can be repurposed for your significant other on your anniversary

Make a photo collage

Create a photo album of photos from your wedding day and early years of marriage. Choose photos that capture both the happy times and the sad ones to remember how far you’ve come together. Here is a more in depth guide on making the perfect wedding album!

How it started vs how its going photoshoot

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 favorites and recreate them exactly as they were originally taken—you can even try taking new ones in the same spot if possible!

Make a family recipe, but with a twist

Have a family recipe that you both just love? Instead of you both cooking the recipe together, each spouse makes the dish separately for each other and see who did it best. Don’t forget to take lots of before and after pictures! For those food photographer novices, check out some of our tips and tricks to food photography that will make your family dish look as good as they taste.

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 - chances are you remember your first date like yesterday. From the awkward conversation as you got to know each other to the dinner or lunch you enjoyed on that special occasion, you remember everything that happened, so why not make it happen again?

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, try planning an anniversary photoshoot. This can be anything from a simple selfie in front of your favorite restaurant or landmark to something more elaborate like getting dressed up in costume or posing at an exotic location. You can even get creative with props if you want!

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. If you want to get creative, find a song with lyrics about marriage and then sing along! Extra points if you record it and take pictures!

Create an anniversary playlist

You can go through all your old playlists and add some of the songs that remind you most of your spouse, or just pick out some songs that are meaningful to both of you as a couple. Either way, it's a great way to get in the mood for celebrating and sharing with your honey.

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 warm and wonderful. Taking a pleasant walk through the neighborhood or the place where you first met is a great way to spend that special anniversary.

Play a Board Game

A board game is an easy way to have fun with your spouse while still celebrating the day. It's also a great way to spend time together without breaking the bank.

Enjoy a Candlelit Picnic in the Park

If all else fails, the romantic dinner by candlelight is an anniversary staple. All you need is a fully stocked picnic basket, a couple of candles, a blanket, and a slice of grass at the local park.

Your anniversary only comes once a year, and you want to make it as romantic as possible. As the big date approaches, the tips listed above can help you keep the spark of romance alive in your relationship without dipping into the nest egg you have built or the future you are still building together.