5Yr anniversary vow renewal etiquette as a covid bride

Personally, I would forego the registry altogether. However, if you both want a registry, and you are having the full wedding experience with the big reception, open bar and full meal for your guests (if not, I would definitely forego the registry), then I would treat it like you would any other wedding. I would create a wedding website where you could choose to include a link to a registry (if you so desire). When you send out invitations, you can include your wedding website either on the invite or an accompanying detail card. When guests visit your website, they can choose whether they would like to access the registry and/or give a gift.

I haven't seen a wedding registry in ages. If you both technically don't need household items like fine china or a new blender, don't apply this idea of tradition to your vow renewal. Instead convince your husband to focus on the vows and party aspect which are more fun and relevant. Also, as you are married for 5 years now, you are truly less likely to be gifted. Telling your loved ones they must gift you by naming a specific fund, would be rude and awkward to your relationships. If anyone wants to buy you a gift or give you cash, they will do so without any prompting or directions.

All of this. Please do not do a registry for a vow renewal and please please do not ask for money for any sort of fund, that would be extremely inappropriate.

I honestly don't see an issue with having a registry then. I understand many peoples' initial knee jerk reaction to having a registry for a vow renewal; but yours is not a typical situation (covid). It's not like you had a big traditional wedding and got gifts from people, and now you are wanting to have a vow renewal and are asking for gifts for a second time- you were a victim of a pandemic! Plus, your family and friends have already indicated they support and are excited about you finally having the big shindig. So if you want to have a registry - go for it! Just make sure you follow proper etiquette and don't mention gifts (either physical or monetary) anywhere on your invites, etc. Simply provide your wedding website and have a link on the site to your registry. If you skip the registry completely, people will likely default to cards with cash/check.

Congrats on your marriage and finally getting to have the celebration you deserve!!

I would avoid asking for money in any form, even on a registry. As you've seen here on this thread, some people will be fine with a registry, and other people may side eye it. I think if there's a chance of seeming rude to even a few people, you shouldn't do it. Of course, you would know your crowd best.

Usually for a vow renewal, there isn't a gift registry, in my experience.

It's funny that you mention the possibility of seeming rude even to a few people. That's the way I see it, too. And obviously, no one ever complains, so I think many people underestimate that risk. Even if you want to look at it from a perspective of pure self interest, it's never a good idea to burn bridges IMO.

Personally I wouldn't do a registry. In my circle wedding registries are more for bridal shower gifts than the actual wedding. Wedding gifts in my circle are usually cards with money but it is completely up to the guest if they bring a gift. If you are not having a shower I d skip the wedding registry. But every crowd is different. Best of luck to you.