Marriage celebration/vow renewal/wedding we never had??????

Personally that seems sweet, but if you said that you two almost went through a divorce. I would say save that money throwing a party. Take a nice weeks vacation just the two of you and remember what it's all about! But if you really are looking to have a party with friends and family, maybe keep it small like you mentioned and go to a nice restaurant and have a small vow renewal if that's what you are really hoping to do!

I hope this doesn't come off harsh: if I almost divorced my H w/i the first year of marriage, I wouldn't be doing any of this. Id be focusing on bettering my marriage, not making grandiose statements through parties. Wait a couple years then do it.. work on you two.

'We almost got divorced. So I've been thinking, to celebrate our marriage, we should have a party at the restaurant'

Er, if I was at the point of divorce from my husband only recently, a vow renewal would not be my top priority right now.

No offense but if you didn't want a comment about the almost divorce maybe you shouldn't have put it. The way the post was worded it didn't sound like everything was behind you. And just fyi it can be insulting to other who did elope that you say the wedding you didn't have. Because you did have one. I am not judging I just am giving you a heads up. Why not do a celebration of love party?

After a year of marriage I don't know how I would feel if a friend of mine was having a vow renewal. I would see it as you said it "the wedding you never had" but its not about the wedding. Its about the marriage and you already have the marriage.

You don't need to prove to anyone that you love each other. You prove it to each other. Take time for a vaca or a few mini vaca's and do what you both love doing and have that be that.

OP, read the CGs. You can't tell people how to post.

Agreed. Use that money for a honeymoon or vacation. That will probably do more to celebrate relationship than a party.

Spend the money on marriage counseling.

Agree with all PPs. It's a bit alarming that after having a rough year, you'd want to celebrate a what sounds like not so great marriage.

Highly recommend investing in some couples counseling or spend it on the two of you, not your families.

Well ive been married for almost 3 years already and let me say the first year I also almost divorced him too. After 3 months of couples therapy and dealing with post partum depression we both realized why we were both getting on each others nerves. Now we feel stronger than ever and we both chose to have a vow renewal this coming halloween weekend as a symbol of the love we both share.

I think you and your DH should go to therapy and figure where the both of you guys want to be at before thinking of a vow renewal. Other than that it can be something to bring you closer together.

Please spend the money on couples counseling. If you almost divorced within the first year, maybe spending money on strengthening your bond would be better than treating your family and friends to a nice meal. Save the vow renewal for when you are in a more stable place.

I'm so glad you guys were able to work through your struggles and now you feel stronger than ever! But I agree with PP, why not take a retreat just you two to celebrate? People might think it's weird to do a vow renewal at just a year. Maybe 5 or 10? Then you can do something bigger and better.

I'm really glad to hear you're working things out, and I hope things continue to go well in your marriage. Enjoy your time together

I think a couples retreat would be more suited. The reconnection you're looking to celebrate is more suited between the two of you than with family and friends.

A private vow renewal between just the two of you may be more meaningful and would not have the stress and expense of a party. You could put that money towards a weekend getway that can be a second honeymoon.

Save that money and work on your marriage. Take a vacation just the two of you

Sometimes the truth hurts but it needs to be heard, actually listened to. My friend had a similar situation after her marriage, went in a deep depression, they worked on it and their economic situation and seem to be doing better now. There are lots of other things you two can be doing to build your relationship up. Work on yourself and eachother. You don't need to boast oabout your relationship to your family and friends so soon after marriage. Save it for 5 or 10 year anniversary