Updated November 6, 2026 · by Enzo, founder of Laveran Paris
Key takeaways
- In France, 4 years of marriage is the wax anniversary (noces de cire). It comes after the wheat anniversary (3 years) and before the wood anniversary (5 years). In the US, the traditional 4th-anniversary theme is fruit or flowers.
- Wax symbolizes a love that is supple yet strong, and the light of a candle warming the home.
- On-theme gifts: a personalized candle, an engraved wax seal, a candlelit dinner, or a piece of jewelry shaped like a flame. At Laveran, a pear-shaped diamond pendant starts at €880 and a half-eternity band at €536.
- Engraving is complimentary: your wedding date or “4 years” inside the band.
In the French tradition, 4 years of marriage is the wax anniversary: a material that can be shaped without breaking, like a couple who has learned to adapt. The gifts most faithful to the theme revolve around candles and flames, from a personalized wax seal to a pear-shaped lab-grown diamond pendant, from €880 at Laveran. This guide answers every question you may have before your wax anniversary: its meaning, the nearby anniversaries, gift ideas for her or for him, real prices, how to celebrate and 20 wishes ready to write in a card or send as a message.
Contents
- What is the 4th wedding anniversary called?
- What does the wax anniversary mean?
- What gift should you give for a wax anniversary?
- Which jewelry for 4 years of marriage, and at what price?
- What to engrave on a wax anniversary gift?
- How to celebrate 4 years of marriage?
- 20 wishes for a happy wax anniversary
- Frequently asked questions
What is the 4th wedding anniversary called?
In France, 4 years of marriage is the wax anniversary. In the US, the traditional theme for the 4th anniversary is fruit or flowers, and the modern one is appliances or linen. The French list starts with simple materials, before the metals and gemstones that come with the years:
| Years of marriage | French anniversary name |
|---|---|
| 1 year | Cotton |
| 2 years | Leather |
| 3 years | Wheat |
| 4 years | Wax |
| 5 years | Wood |
| 6 years | Chypre |
| 7 years | Wool |
| 10 years | Tin |
Every year from 1 to 100: the complete wedding anniversary chart.
What does the wax anniversary mean?
The wax anniversary symbolizes a love that is still malleable, but taking shape and growing stronger. Wax is warmed, shaped, then hardens: the image of a couple who, after four years, has learned to adjust to the unexpected without losing what holds them together.
Wax also evokes light. A candle lights the home, warms the room and creates intimacy, which is why the flame runs through almost every gift and celebration idea for this anniversary. And for centuries, wax has been used to seal letters and commitments: four years of marriage is also a promise that holds.
Four years of married life is often a time of building: a home, sometimes a first child, shared plans. The wax anniversary is a chance to pause for an evening and look back on the road traveled.
What gift should you give for a wax anniversary?
The most on-theme gift is linked to candles or flames; the most lasting is a piece of jewelry that evokes them. Here are the ideas that work, depending on who you are giving to.
For your wife
- A flame-shaped pendant: a pear-cut diamond whose silhouette recalls a candle flame.
- Earrings to wear every day, in the same pear shape or with a round diamond.
- A half-eternity band to wear next to her wedding ring, to mark a milestone.
- A candle with a small jewelry box hidden inside, for a two-part surprise.
For your husband
- An engraved wax seal with your initials, plus sealing wax sticks, for your letters and invitations.
- A wax-sealed letter telling the story of your first four years, to reread in ten years.
- An experience for two: a candle-making workshop, a weekend away, dinner at a great restaurant.
- A candle in his favorite scent (wood, leather, tobacco), engraved with your wedding date.
For a couple of friends
- A personalized candle with their names and wedding date.
- A designer candlestick or lantern for their dinners.
- A box of canelés (baked in molds coated with beeswax) or a selection of honeys.
- A voucher for a candle massage for two.
Which jewelry for 4 years of marriage, and at what price?
At Laveran, 18k gold jewelry set with lab-grown diamonds starts at €536. A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond: same composition, same hardness, same brilliance as a natural diamond, up to 80% less expensive. Here are the starting prices as of November 6, 2026:
| Jewelry | Why for a wax anniversary | Laveran price |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Louis half-eternity band | Worn with the wedding ring, to mark 4 years | from €536 |
| Montaigne pear earrings | Two small flames, to wear every day | from €632 |
| Vendôme half-eternity band | A row of diamonds, more sparkle | from €696 |
| Montaigne pear diamond pendant | The flame-shaped diamond, the most on-theme | from €880 |
| Montaigne Heart pendant | Simply the symbol of love | from €880 |
| Montaigne pear diamond ring | A flame-shaped solitaire | from €880 |
| Diamond tennis bracelet | A line of light on the wrist (1 carat total) | from €1,400 |
These pieces come in 18k yellow, white or rose gold and in platinum, at the same price as gold. All diamonds are IGI or GIA certified, with no fluorescence. Installment payment is available with Alma. All collections: necklaces and pendants, earrings, half-eternity bands and bracelets.
Montaigne Pear Pendantfrom €880
Montaigne Pear Earringsfrom €632
Saint-Louis Half-Eternity Bandfrom €536
Jewelry for your wax anniversary? In our 11 showrooms or by video call, an expert helps you choose the piece, the metal and the engraving. Certified lab-grown diamonds, from €536. Book an appointment →
What to engrave on a wax anniversary gift?
Engraving is complimentary at Laveran: a few characters are enough. Some ideas for the inside of a band or ring, or the back of a pendant:
- your wedding date: “06.14.2022”;
- initials and years: “C & T · 2022 – 2026”;
- “4 years”, “And what comes next” or “Always you”;
- a word that belongs only to you: a nickname, the place you met.
Don't know her ring size? Ask for our free ring sizer, and remember that resizing is free for life.
How to celebrate 4 years of marriage?
The simplest way to celebrate a wax anniversary is a candlelit dinner; the most memorable is a wax-themed activity you do together. A few ideas, from the simplest to the most planned:
- A candlelit dinner, at home or in a restaurant, the room lit only by candles.
- A candle-making workshop with beeswax or soy wax, in a scent that suits you.
- A wax-sealed time capsule: photos, tickets and love notes from your first four years, to open on your 10th anniversary.
- Sealed letters: each of you writes to the other, closes the letter with a wax seal, and you read them that evening.
- A candle massage for two, where the melted wax becomes massage oil.
- A getaway to a cabin or a guesthouse, or to a city of light (Lyon's Festival of Lights takes place in early December).
- A couple's photo shoot at golden hour, for one photo per anniversary.
20 wishes for a happy wax anniversary
To write in a card, send as a message or slip in with a gift.
5 wishes to congratulate a couple
- “Happy wax anniversary! Four years of love, and a flame that never fades. May your marriage keep shining.”
- “Four years of laughter and closeness: happy anniversary to a couple who inspires us.”
- “Congratulations on 4 years of marriage! Wax bends without breaking, just like your love.”
- “4 years already! May this wax anniversary be full of light and warmth.”
- “Happy anniversary! Four years is the start of a beautiful story.”
5 wishes for your wife
- “My love, these 4 years by your side have been the best of my life. Happy wax anniversary.”
- “You've lit up my life for four years, like a candle in the night. Thank you for being you.”
- “I love you a little more every day. Four years married, and still the same thrill.”
- “1,460 days of love, laughter and promises kept. Here's to all the days to come.”
- “This piece of jewelry is a small flame to tell you mine still burns for you.”
5 wishes for your husband
- “For 4 years, you've been my rock. Happy anniversary, my love.”
- “Four years married, and I'd make the same choice again without hesitation.”
- “Thank you for four years of happiness, patience and laughter. Happy wax anniversary!”
- “Our love has taken shape, like wax: supple, strong, and still warm.”
- “Happy 4 years to us! Thank you for being my best friend and the love of my life.”
5 short messages
- “Happy wax anniversary!”
- “4 years, and the flame is still there.”
- “Four years of you, and it's only the beginning.”
- “Wax anniversary, anniversary of light: I love you.”
- “Happy anniversary to the two of us.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4th wedding anniversary called?
In France, it is the wax anniversary (noces de cire), after the wheat anniversary (3 years) and before the wood anniversary (5 years). In the US, the traditional 4th-anniversary theme is fruit or flowers.
What does the wax anniversary mean?
Wax is supple yet strong: it symbolizes a couple who has learned to adapt while strengthening its foundations. It also evokes candlelight and the seal that closes a commitment.
What gift should you give for 4 years of marriage?
On-theme ideas: a personalized candle, an engraved wax seal, a candle-making workshop, a candlelit dinner. For a lasting gift, a flame-shaped piece of jewelry, such as a pear-cut diamond pendant.
What budget for wax anniversary jewelry?
At Laveran, 18k gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry starts at €536 for a half-eternity band, €632 for earrings and €880 for a pendant or a solitaire ring. Installment payment is available with Alma.
What to write in a wax anniversary card?
Two or three heartfelt sentences are enough: wish a happy wax anniversary, recall a shared memory and play on the image of a flame or light. You'll find 20 examples above.
Is a lab-grown diamond a real diamond?
Yes. It is pure carbon, with the same hardness and brilliance as a natural diamond; only its origin differs. At Laveran, every diamond is IGI or GIA certified, with no fluorescence.
How long does it take to receive a piece?
Pieces are made to order in 2 to 3 weeks; some designs are in stock and others can be made in a few days with express production. For a Christmas gift, order before the end of November. Delivery is free, insured and handed over in person.
What if she doesn't like the piece?
Returns are accepted within 30 days. Every piece comes with a lifetime warranty, plus free resizing, polishing and prong checks for life.
Is your 4th anniversary coming up? Give a small flame that will never go out. Book an appointment in one of our 11 showrooms or by video call: we help you choose the piece, the metal and the engraving, with a lifetime warranty.
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