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Just Said Yes July 2023

How would you react to this vow renewal?

Sam, on January 12, 2022 at 5:59 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 8


I feel like every vow renewal is different, so it's difficult to measure if ours fits common etiquette. Can I ask your honest opinion?


We'll be celebrating 5 years of marriage. Our original wedding was at the courthouse with 5 family members due to time and financial constraints, since we were still students. It was a series of social media posts that announced our marriage. I essentially want the vow renewal to be a kickass party. 40-ish guest count, at a small venue, afternoon ceremony and party on all evening. No gift registry, just bring yourself.


My main concerns are that several guests need to fly to attend. I feel bad they have to do this for not even a proper wedding. We'll pay for flight & hotel but can't compensate time. Also 5 years is rather a short time to commemorate and we had zero life changing struggles. How would you react if you get this invitation?

8 Comments

Latest activity by Sydney, on January 15, 2022 at 6:01 AM
  • Candace
    Super March 2022
    Candace ·
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    Sounds like a great time! Are you going to actually renew your vows? If you're not, then I wouldn't call it a vow renewal. Otherwise, I would rsvp yes if I could make it. If not, then I'd say no. Also, are you really going to pay for fight and hotel for all our of town guests??? I wouldn't promise that until you crunch the numbers. Listen, if you want to have a party, wedding, vow renewal, or whatever, then you have it! People will make the decision to come based on their own lives. It will have nothing to do with whether they think it's a proper wedding or not. You don't have to justify or explain yourself to anyone.
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  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
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    I'll be honest and say I probably wouldn't attend. I very rarely attend destination weddings (only for VERY close family or friends) because they don't fit into my time and financial priorities. And nothing about a 5-year anniversary party would change my mind if you weren't one of those very close friends or family members. Also, I had a courthouse wedding that I loved and I can't imagine wanting to have a do over. But I definitely wouldn't hold it against you or think less of you for inviting me/throwing this party.

    All of this is completely up to personal preference and I would try not to focus on what you think your invitees might think of you. If you and your partner want this party, have a party!

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  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    I think it’s a know your crowd kind of thing. If your closest people are up for it, then awesome. There’s nothing odd or wrong about doing this. Having said that, I’m hesitant to get into groups because of Covid.
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  • Jm Sunshine
    Jm Sunshine ·
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    This is kind of a tough one. If it was local, I'd probably attend but not if I had to travel (although your offer to pay for airfare/lodging is quite generous) unless it was for a milestone anniversary/renewal such as 25 or 50 years.
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  • Sharon
    Super September 2021
    Sharon ·
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    It depends on how close I am to the couple whether i would attend or not. Though I would probably attend if I could. I wouldn't worry about paying for the airfare and hotel for them. That could get very expensive. My feeling is life is short. People should celebrate what you want when you want. If people want to join you they will. Don't worry about what people will think.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    I wouldn’t have any issues attending this. I would appreciate that you are being honest by acknowledging it as a vow renewal instead of calling it a wedding following a courthouse ceremony.


    I’ve attended vow renewals of all periods and as long as you are transparent that it’s a renewal, people generally are very excited to attend and will travel if they need to with no issues. It really is true that those who want to attend will find a way.
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  • Sydney
    Dedicated October 2021
    Sydney ·
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    I love any excuse to party so I would come if I could. This is totally reasonable and no you don’t need to offer to pay for people’s Flights. If people can’t come they can’t come but who doesn’t want to come to an awesome party and celebrate your love? In pre covid times I flew to visit my friends all of the time.
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  • Sydney
    Dedicated October 2021
    Sydney ·
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    Also whether or not you can attend things often has more to do with circumstances (ability to take days off, ability to get childcare, no other important conflicts) than cost, and people can make their own decisions about that. An invitation isn’t an obligation and people get that.
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