Vow Renewal Rules?

If I sound as if I'm excited, I AM! And to all you couples who are taking this step I will tell you, as I have learned, do whatever makes you and your spouse happy. If, after all this time, he still makes you feel like his bride and rushes home to see you, then I commend you both. And I commend that you love each other so much that you want to honor God and each other with this celebration. Not man.

Best Wishes and God Bless!

@ Susan, I was surprised to discover how nervous I am too....just like the first time. Go figure...lol. My husband is planning a secret wedding trip for us. We will leave the same night probably heading to the beach or the mountains. We've already been to the Bahamas and to the Colorado mountains so I'm hoping for either one but if not I'll be happy with wherever we can getaway to, just as long as we can be alone. We have been fasting and ABSTAINING for a month now, my husband is lifting weights and buffing up, and I have lost 20 pounds. By the time the honeymoon roles around it will truly be like our first wedding night (smile)

Ok so I am wanting to renew my wedding vows- I did not have the wedding of my dreams I was close, down to writing out the invitations. Then my husband's x started causing problems saying she would make sure the kids (theirs) would not come and they were in it. They wold cry about it when they came over. So I just planned on the next weekend we had them to do it at my mom's house. I lost a big deposit on the venue and it was just not the wedding I wanted. But I felt it was the right thing to do. They were (kids) and were so excited that they got to be a part of it. Any ways so what am I allow to do. I didn't get to do anything. I did have a dress cause that was the first thing I got when we got engaged. I don't care about the whole bachelorette thing. But would like to have a renewal ceremony and a reception with cake the first dance and all that good stuff. So please help I feel bad after reading some other sites. saying I was wrong and its only for a bride to be, Not a married one.

Hi Mary,

I've been in the same predicament--wondering if I was wrong for wanting to renew my vows (back up and read my last 4 posts). Most of those mean women who tell you not to renew are probably bitter because their own marriages are in trouble. Have your wedding/vow/renewal and don't make any apologies for doing so. Invite the friends and loved ones who will support what you are doing and have a blast! If you back out of this because of what others think, then they have won and that would be a shame. Do what makes you and your husband happy; it really is you and him against the world. It's your day...it's your husband's day...ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Do what makes you and your husband happy, I'm glad to still be married to the same man when so many marriages are ending in divorce. We are not other people opinions we are who God says we are and some folk just do not like to see other people happy and yes I was discourage about renewing my vows after reading a lot of this mess on the web but not no more, we are doing it our way and if anybody we know is negative, they can consider themselves uninvited but so far everyone is happy and supportive. We will be renewing our vows on our anniversary in 14 months and I will not be registering for gifts or having a bridal party but to each it's own. My sister want to plan a girls night out the night before. I will have my sisters, our daughters and granddaughters in it and my husband may choose to have his brothers as witnesses for the second time around nothing fancy. We will have a huge reception unless we change our mind considering we still have a lot of time left cause our families are large. We had a small wedding the first time around with few people because it was not planed and it was done in two months. All I know is "We Still Do" and I will marry that man over and over again! Be Encourage ladies and be content with whatever you and your husband decide this second time around.

It never ceases to amaze me how arrogant people can be. I've been on the other sites, too, about vow renewal "etiquette". I feel that anyone that is willing to say "I do" to the same person again has found true love and having a renewal that resembles a wedding is between the couple and the family and friends. I say if they are not asking for presents and that kind of stuff, then it's up to the couple if they want to have the whole shebang. My husband and I had an elopement ceremony in Savannah. It was just he, I, and my two sons with one on the way. I was 5 months pregnant at the time and we couldn't afford a big wedding. I'd like to have a renewal that resembles a wedding. I'm not sure if we could ask for presents though as we don't have our own place yet and anything I did have some furniture, but it was all sold, so everything will have to be replaced. I do have a china set and dishes, but not a whole lot more.

Ladies, I am so glad to hear things like this. When I got married, I was leaving an abusive home, and wouldn't move in with my fiance unless I was married (I'm old fashioned). The day we eloped I was also "running away" from a dangerous, unsafe household.

A year-and-a-half later, I don't regret my marriage, but I wish I could have planned a wedding. My sister-in-law is also engaged and planning a wedding, and the stories from my other sister-in-law about her day made me want something.

I feel many of these people who say that 'replicating a first wedding' is bad etiquette generally got the day they wanted the first time around. For me, it was a day of stress and work, moving out of my parents home and into my own and facing abuse through text, calls, and Facebook. It was certainly not a day with loved ones, celebrating the love between me and my husband, and a vow renewal will give me a chance to have that.

Hi i have been reading all the comments over renewing wedding vows, i had a wedding in 2012 but our photograph man lost our pictures and so called family went out of their way to wreck it by fighting etc. So myself and hubby are having a renew of vows in 2015 we dont want presents or anything like that, but we are having our pictures re taken with the wedding party as they were. Ive looked on other sites and asked if people think this sounds ok but have been slatered for it.

I just wanted to ask if its ok to have a wedding renew and photos taken again as we were and we would be married 3 years, we also are having a party at the night. we really like to ask what you think and if it is alright to do it and have a nice renew of vows and mainly our pictures taken so that i have them.

My husband and I have been married for 11 years. We will be doing our vow renewal in 2015 on our exact wedding anniv. We eloped the first time. We were 20, and just had a baby, and could not afford to have a wedding. We were almost at divorce point 3 years ago. Since then, we have had another child and adopted 2 family members children. We will be doing our vow renewal in our beautiful back yard, with family and friends. I will be wearing a dress, but with no train. We are not asking for any gifts. We will have photos taken, who wouldn't want to capture any special memories. We will be having a variety of different foods and a cake. Our special day will be filled with lots of love.

I don't see anything wrong with re-affirming your wedding vows, at all, no matter what your situation. The thought that anyone has a problem with it is actually quite ridiculous! If you're invited to a re-wedding and believe it's stupid, or tacky, or selfish...don't RSVP! I'm sure the party will go on and those who didn't attend because they thought they were "better than that"... will just not get in the way of you having a grand 'ol time! I for one and planning a vow renewal ceremony and we're doing it BIG! Destination re-wedding in Jamaica is in full effect. We expect a lot of people, way more than our wedding, only a year ago! I can just hear all the gasps now!! "OH MY!!!" How dare I??? Yep! Wearing a white dress, too! Appalling, right?

My husband and I were married for unconventional, unexpected reasons in a last minute context...but the bottom line is we loved each other and knew we wanted to spend our lives together no matter what. We did it quick, we wanted for nothing and made no big fuss of it.., we accepted that it was what it was but we knew it was not the way we had talked about many a time before. Not what we envisioned...so we told our guests we would do it again, in a year or so, so to expect a proper party. And so be it, it's happening! Do what will make you happy, call it what you want to call it, where what you want to wear and don't worry about anyone's opinion...you'll drive yourself crazy! Trust me, nobody will get in the way of your dream...and if they do, just be busy enough to ignore them and carry on with your plans. Congratulations, much love and peace... God knows the world needs it. Geez!

Renewed last year around this time and it was GREAT! My husband and I thought about doing it again for this year (21 years) but decided to wait until the 25th year of marriage. Soooo excited!

I know that this post is a little old but I just want to say thank you because I am planning the vow renewal/wedding I never had, and I stopped and thought, maybe I should research dos and don'ts, which made me feel sad because it's almost like, if you didn't get a wedding the first time, tuff luck based on some of the stuff I'm reading. My husband and I will be celebrating 5 years of marriage and we've been through a lot. We never got a wedding, my mom wasn't there, or any body else except my friend and his mom as witnesses and this is my chance to get that experience. I'm having everything except i'm not wearing a white wedding gown and we aren't doing the whole church ceremony and then reception, everything is in the same venue. Everybody has been very supportive and excited for us, and to the prudes who stick their noses up at people for not being as fortunate as them, I pray you never learn what it feels like to have to watch everybody else have their dreams come true, while standing on the side line waiting for your turn!

I will be renewing my vows in 2016. I got married at the courthouse. My husband and I both would like to have a nice "wedding". After looking on different sites and reading do's and dont's I decided to do what we wanted. If someone was unhappy with what we decided they don't have to show up. I was married at 19 and didn't have much money so now that I can I will. So to anyone renewing their vows, I say do whatever you want. Walk down the aisle, wear a wedding dress and have as many attendants as you want. It is Your day.

Ok so my best friend of 15 yrs just told me that after 7 kids n 8 yrs of being married, that they're renewing their vows and having a wedding. She asked me to b in it n that the "bridesmaids are expected to pay for their dresses, nails, hair etc. I think that this is rediculous n don't kno how to tell her that I can't afford or want to b IN the "wedding". I think it's in poor taste. It's a renewal

Hello. I'm. Tamra. I to have been reading other sites advice,and they are just down right mean. We will be renewing our vows on March 26th,2016.We will be having our 4 grown children plus 2 girls who i consider my daughters standing up with us.It will be held at a lodge . Ceremony and Reception in same place. I'm in a wheelchair,but not letting that stop me. I will be wearing a long gown,but not white or ivory. Will have a buffet and a cake with cupcakes. No gifts requested,no first dance,just a celebration with family and friends. I did a save the date event on facebook. Invitations will be sent out. So you make your day what you want it to be. Yes the head table will have real plates,glassware and silverware.

Well be renewing our vows next year. Yes we are having our grown children stand up with us and having a few grandkids to. Having a buffet dinner and cake and cupcakes to. You make your day as how you want it to be. I am in a wheelchair,so yes i'm wearing a long evening gown.My attendants will be wearing long gowns.Men in suits. I did a save the date event on Facebook so i can get a general ideal for food.Ladies nobody can tell you what not to or what to do for your renewal. People are going to talk regardless.Just enjoy your day as you confess your love for each other all over again.

Oh my goodness, I am so relieved I read all these comments. My husband and I are renewing our vows in two weeks. We married at the court house and also went through some

very difficult seasons of our marriage and want

to reaffirm our love and commitment with family and friends. I am doing a themed wedding (yes wedding) 1920's style with a long train veil. I panicked because I read that it is not appropriate to wear a veil nor walk down the aisle. However, after reading this I feel much better. Our adult daughter's will walk down the aisle (procession) as will our son (14) will stand as the best man. We aren't asking for gifts, just a time to enjoy love with our children, family and friends.

Everyone on here just encouraged me to go through with my vow renewal as my wedding! My husband and I both being in the Marine Corps never had an actual wedding celebration, just in the court house and for our five year we want to plan to have a large elegant wedding! The cathedral (ivory of course) dress and all! When I was reading other pages about using a vow renewal as your real wedding I almost felt like not doing it anymore, but everyone on here has made perfect points! Thank you all! If I could I would invite you all, just because of your encouraging words to continue forward with it!

I'm renewing in 6 weeks after 19 years of marriage, im having a wedding dress, bridesmaids and my grandson is a paigeboy , this page and comments have put me at ease

Even though this isn't my post and it's older, I just want to say thank you to all you ladies that have commented on here with advice and support. I've seen many threads on this topic on many sites but found little to no support. Even though the posts weren't mine and the comments weren't actually directed towards me, I was so hurt seeing the rude and catty responses. I felt horrible and ended up crying. I even considered not having a vow renewal/wedding ceremony anymore. But you've all helped me regain my confidence to do what I want to do!

I got married to my husband in December of 2014 in the court house after he made the decision to go into the navy. Before his decision, he proposed and we were planning a wedding for October 2015. All that had to be put on hold and not wanting to be apart from one another, we quickly got married. I still wanted to have a celebration with my friends and family but didn't know how or what to do. So again thank you all