Introduction
Forty years deserves words that feel as timeless as the day they said “I do.” This collection gathers 40th wedding anniversary wishes for every voice—short, funny, heartfelt, faith-based, and ruby-themed—so you can honor this milestone with sincerity. The 40th is the ruby anniversary, a symbol of enduring love and strength; many couples also embrace red accents or ruby-inspired gifts when they celebrate. Cambridge Dictionary+1
Quick Answer
For 40th wedding anniversary wishes, mention the ruby milestone, celebrate four decades of devotion, and add one personal detail or memory. Keep it warm, simple, and specific to the couple.
Table of Contents
• Short 40th Wedding Anniversary Wishes
• Heartfelt Ruby Anniversary Messages
• Funny 40th Anniversary Wishes
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for Parents
• 40th Anniversary Wishes From Daughter or Son
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for Husband
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for Wife
• Religious 40th Anniversary Wishes
• Simple Ruby Anniversary Quotes
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for Friends
• 40th Anniversary Toast Lines
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for In-Laws
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for Grandparents
• Ruby-Themed Gift Message Ideas
• Instagram-Ready Ruby Anniversary Captions
• 40th Anniversary Wishes for a Couple You Admire
TL;DR
• Mention the ruby milestone with heart.
• Add a memory only you’d know.
• Keep lines short and sincere.
• Match tone: funny, formal, or faithful.
• If gifting, echo “ruby” or red.
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Short 40th Wedding Anniversary Wishes
Two quick lines can still shine. Lead with love, then nod to the ruby milestone.
• “Forty years, forever yours—happy ruby day.”
• “Red as ruby, strong as ever—cheers to 40.”
• “Four decades, one heartbeat. Happy anniversary.”
• “Ruby milestone reached—love keeps glowing.”
• “Forty years, countless memories—congratulations.”
• “Still choosing each other, day after day.”
• “Two hearts, forty years, one home.”
• “Ruby bright, love brilliant—happy 40th.”
• “Here’s to devotion that never dims.”
• “Your love story still turns heads.”
• “Classic love, 40 years young.”
• “From vows to now—what a journey.”
Heartfelt Ruby Anniversary Messages
Name what lasts: enduring love, shared grit, everyday joy.
• “Forty years of showing up in love—in big and small ways.”
• “Your everyday kindness is this family’s steady light.”
• “May the next chapter glow as bright as ruby.”
• “You kept choosing grace; it made all the difference.”
• “Four decades taught us what commitment looks like.”
• “Your love turned a house into our home.”
• “The way you laugh together still inspires us.”
• “Thank you for modeling patience, courage, and care.”
• “Here’s to quiet mornings and long, hand-in-hand walks.”
• “May health, peace, and joy fill your years ahead.”
• “Your story is proof that love outlasts storms.”
• “Forty years—and somehow, you still sparkle.”
• “May the red of ruby mirror your warm hearts.”
• “You wrote a legacy of love we’ll keep reading.”
Funny 40th Anniversary Wishes
Keep it lighthearted and sweet—never mean.
• “Forty years and still sharing fries—true love.”
• “Congrats on 40! Your secret? Selective hearing.”
• “You two aged like fine… inside jokes.”
• “Still flirting, now with better snacks.”
• “Powered by coffee, patience, and teamwork.”
• “Marriage level 40 unlocked—new perks included.”
• “Cheers to love, loyalty, and hidden remotes.”
• “Perfect match: one remembers dates, one handles cake.”
• “Your love is vintage; your dance moves, legendary.”
• “Two experts: compromise & thermostat diplomacy.”
• “Forty years: plot twists, happy endings, repeat.”
• “Same love story, better punchlines.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for Parents
Honor role models, family legacy, and steady guidance. IGP.com
• “You built our safe place—thank you and congrats.”
• “Your teamwork taught us how love works daily.”
• “Forty years of leading with kindness.”
• “Your laughter still fills our family rooms.”
• “Thank you for choosing each other and us.”
• “Here’s to parents who make forever believable.”
• “Your marriage is our favorite classroom.”
• “We carry your lessons into our homes.”
• “May this ruby year bring light and rest.”
• “Proud to be your kids—always.”
• “Two incredible parents; one unstoppable pair.”
• “Legacy of love: written in everyday moments.”
40th Anniversary Wishes From Daughter or Son
First-person gratitude: thank you, home, steady upbringing.
• “Because of you, I recognize real love.”
• “Your patience shaped my best parts.”
• “I learned commitment by watching yours.”
• “Your love made childhood feel secure.”
• “You proved tenderness can be strong.”
• “I’m grateful for your imperfect, beautiful teamwork.”
• “Thank you for choosing family, again and again.”
• “Your inside jokes raised me on joy.”
• “You showed me how to apologize well.”
• “May rest and wonder fill your days.”
• “I’ll carry your example into my home.”
• “Your story is my favorite inheritance.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for Husband
Speak to your partner, best friend, and shared future.
• “Forty years in, you’re still my favorite hello.”
• “Your steady hand is my safe harbor.”
• “Thanks for being my teammate and cheer.”
• “I’d choose you again, every season.”
• “You make ordinary days feel golden.”
• “Your laugh is my daily soundtrack.”
• “Here’s to new places, same hand in mine.”
• “Thank you for loving me on hard days.”
• “The future feels bright with you.”
• “You’re my home and adventure both.”
• “Forty years—still falling for your kindness.”
• “My love, we keep getting better.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for Wife
Honor your soulmate, what you cherish, what you adore.
• “You are the heart of every decade.”
• “Your courage and care amaze me still.”
• “Thank you for building this life with me.”
• “You make our story feel brand-new.”
• “Forty years of your brilliance—lucky me.”
• “I love your grace in every season.”
• “You turned challenges into chapters.”
• “Here’s to slow mornings and long talks.”
• “You’re my safe place and spark.”
• “Your smile still stops me cold.”
• “With you, ordinary is extraordinary.”
• “Always you. Always yes.”
Religious 40th Anniversary Wishes
Gentle blessing, quiet grace, simple prayer.
• “May God keep your hearts tender and brave.” Hitched
• “Praying joy and health over your years ahead.”
• “May your home remain a light to many.”
• “Grace carried you; grace keep guiding you.”
• “Thanking God for your faithful love.”
• “May peace crown your ruby year.”
• “Blessings on every new morning together.”
• “Your devotion reflects a deeper promise.”
• “May hope and kindness never leave you.”
• “We praise God for your example.”
• “Forty years—great is His faithfulness.”
• “May love abound more and more.”
Simple Ruby Anniversary Quotes
Keep it timeless, classic, and elegant.
• “Ruby hearts, steadfast vows.”
• “Forty years; love refined.”
• “Two lives, one bright flame.”
• “Decades deep, joy wide.”
• “Love that time polishes.”
• “Still us. Still home.”
• “Promises kept, joy multiplied.”
• “A ruby glow at dusk.”
• “Together, always worth it.”
• “Love: durable and tender.”
• “Yesterday’s vows, today’s wonder.”
• “Four decades, one yes.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for Friends
Celebrate their journey—keep it upbeat with a toast-y cheers.
• “Your teamwork makes marriage look joyful.”
• “Proud to cheer you on at 40.”
• “May laughter stay your shared language.”
• “Here’s to long walks and louder joy.”
• “You two light up every room.”
• “Forty years of choosing kindness.”
• “Thanks for modeling fun and grace.”
• “May the next chapter be playful.”
• “Still each other’s favorite person—cheers.”
• “Your love makes friendship richer.”
• “We’re lucky to celebrate you both.”
• “To health, peace, and more memories.”
40th Anniversary Toast Lines
Think raise a glass, mini tribute, crisp cadence.
• “To steadfast love and lively laughter—cheers.”
• “To four decades of promises kept.”
• “To the home you built and share.”
• “To grit, grace, and great stories.”
• “To choosing each other, daily and gladly.”
• “To love that outlasts every storm.”
• “To the hands that held and healed.”
• “To joy that keeps showing up.”
• “To the family gathered and the friends cheered.”
• “To ruby hearts that still shine.”
• “To the miles behind and ahead.”
• “To you—our favorite love story.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for In-Laws
Offer welcome, respect, and gratitude.
• “Thank you for raising my favorite person.”
• “Your love shaped the life we share.”
• “Grateful to be part of your story.”
• “You make family feel bigger and kinder.”
• “Your example steadies our home.”
• “May rest and delight meet you often.”
• “Honored to celebrate your ruby year.”
• “Your wisdom blesses our marriage daily.”
• “Thank you for cheering us on.”
• “Your joy is contagious—keep it coming.”
• “Forty years—what a beautiful testament.”
• “With love, today and always.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for Grandparents
Name their wisdom, family tree, and tradition.
• “Your love is the root of our joy.”
• “Thank you for stories that guide us.”
• “You grew a family full of laughter.”
• “Your hugs still feel like home.”
• “May cozy days and calm nights find you.”
• “We cherish your gentle, steady counsel.”
• “Your legacy blooms in every branch.”
• “Forty years—still teaching us grace.”
• “May health and wonder walk with you.”
• “We love being your grandkids, always.”
• “Your porch light welcomes us still.”
• “You are our favorite tradition.”
Ruby-Themed Gift Message Ideas
Weave ruby, red, and 40th flowers (nasturtium) into tag lines. Mixbook+1
• “A ruby note for a ruby year—cheers to 40.”
• “Red ribbon for the love that never fades.”
• “Forty years bright as a ruby’s glow.”
• “To love that’s durable and dazzling.”
• “Toast with ruby-tinted flutes to forever.”
• “A little red for your big milestone.”
• “From our hearts to your ruby day.”
• “Nasturtium warmth for your steadfast love.”
• “May these blooms echo your brave joy.”
• “Wrapped in red, tied with gratitude.”
• “A small gift for a great story.”
• “Ruby theme, lifelong dream.”
Instagram-Ready Ruby Anniversary Captions
Keep caption lines short; add one crisp hashtag if needed.
• “Forty years, still my always.”
• “Ruby hearts, real vows.”
• “Same team, new decade.”
• “Built on patience and giggles.”
• “Red ribbons, golden memories.”
• “Forever, but make it joyful.”
• “We still pick each other.”
• “Love with laugh lines.”
• “Decades deep, eyes bright.”
• “Ruby year, real love.”
• “Vows aged beautifully.”
• “Two seats, one story.”
40th Anniversary Wishes for a Couple You Admire
Name their example, inspiration, and the milestone itself.
• “Your courage and kindness changed our lives.”
• “You prove love can stay curious.”
• “Thank you for showing us steady joy.”
• “Your story lifts every room you enter.”
• “We admire your faithful, playful teamwork.”
• “May your next pages be restful.”
• “Your generosity made many homes warmer.”
• “You turned challenges into shared victories.”
• “We’re grateful just to know you.”
• “Forty years—what a radiant mark.”
• “Your love keeps raising the bar.”
• “Here’s to more light, more laughter.”
FAQs
What do you say for a 40th wedding anniversary?
Keep it simple: congratulate them, mention the ruby milestone, and add one personal memory or trait you admire. Short, sincere lines are perfect for cards and toasts. Good Housekeeping
Why is the 40th anniversary called the ruby anniversary?
Traditionally, 40 years is symbolized by the ruby—its deep red stands for lasting passion and durable love. Many guides list ruby for both traditional and modern gifts at 40. michaelhill.co.nz+1
What is a good 40th anniversary gift?
Classic choices include ruby jewelry, red-tinted glassware, or any meaningful gift wrapped with a ruby-red accent. Experience gifts paired with red details also fit the theme. Mixbook+1
What flower represents the 40th wedding anniversary?
Nasturtium and gladiolus are commonly linked with the 40th; both pair well with ruby-red roses in a celebratory bouquet. eternityrose.com.au
How do I write a 40th anniversary card message?
Open with congratulations, name the milestone (ruby/40th), add one heartfelt memory or gratitude line, and end with a warm wish for health and joy ahead. Good Housekeeping
Conclusion
Forty years is love proved in ordinary days and extraordinary seasons. Whether you go short and simple, playful, faith-tinged, or ruby-themed, choose words that sound like you—and that honor their remarkable journey.

Emma is the founder of Wishexx and the guiding voice behind its warm, simple style. Based in Austin, Texas, she turns real-life moments into heartfelt wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and everyday life.