Bridal gown not allowed for renewal???

I'm in the category of you should wear want you want to.

Absolutely not true. Wear whatever you'd like to wear.

No, you can wear whatever gotten you want!!!

If you're married, you had a wedding. And brides can still wear formal wedding attire at courthouse weddings, I am. Your wedding is whatever you make it out to be. I have had friends who have had vow renewals and had the celebration they had always dreamed of for their weddings. There is nothing wrong with that either.

I think this falls into the category of "you can't please everyone" .... you may get side-eye from some (especially older generation) guests. But it doesn't affect guests comfort, so wear what you like.

E.g.: one of my family members doesn't even think you should wear white if you've been living together.

However, I will say that for a vow renewal, I might be a bit judgy if you showed up in a huge dress with long train. I'm all for wearing a wedding dress, but not an extravagant one.

I am having a courthouse next month ( we would only have 1 witness which is my FMIL ) but my dream wedding will be next year and I am going to wear my wedding dress with my veil and do all the wedding stuff ( first dance, cake cutting, etc ) I wanted that experience. Nobody can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. There is no such rule. And even if there is, I won't be bothered what other people would think.

Wear what you want, sister!

Good ahead and wear what you want. I think years ago it matters but this day and age no one is held to old traditions.

Wear what you want. Enjoy the experience of shopping for a wedding dress.

Hey wear what you dream of my dear!!!!

Wear what you want, even when people do vow re-newals i've seen women wear wedding gowns.

I say wear whatever you want!

I'm having a small wedding in my parents house. I hope yo have my huge vow renewal several years down the road with all of my dreams but this small one is perfect for now do what you want! It is still your day.

I wouldn't think twice about it as a guest. I think it's sweet!

On SYTTD Holly Robinson wore a beautiful white dress to her 25th wedding renewal. If celebrities can do it, why not you? I agree with those who say wear what you want. I am someone who doesn't prefer white so I didn't wear it the first time and will not wear it this time. My wedding, my choice.

Wear what you want!!

I'm pretty sure the whole only wear white the first time doesn't apply anymore. Heck the reason for white is purity. It I'm wearing it and have lived with my FH for over two years.

You should wear whatever you want. I LOVE seeing the emotion of someone being able to buy their dream dress for a vow renewal.

I'm wearing one for our renewal. We are treating our renewal as a wedding with a bridal party as well. We didn't have the wedding of our dreams and after 16 years we finally will. Our kids are going to be included and they are so excited. The only things we are doing different is no pre wedding parties.

Thanks for the feedback. As a long time wife, certainly no offense meant re: saying we never had a real "wedding" - hence the air quotes. Courthouse or Westminster Abby, you all are correct - a wedding IS a wedding. As to my actual question, you all helped relieve my anxiety. Thankfully, I do know not to expect gifts, bridal shower, etc. (I was even considering specifying no gifts on the invites) We just want a big, fun party where our family can enjoy themselves. Plus, none of our parents attended our wedding, so they're actually looking forward to this too

We also will have a tiny bridal party - maybe 4 total - mainly to include our kids. My daughter is especially excited. Teen son? Not so much. Lol.

Appreciate the advice and encouragement. WW peeps rock!