Vow Renewal

I’m sure you could include any traditions you prefer into a vow renewal, especially if you never had an actual wedding.

A vow renewal can be lovely for sure. The thing to keep in mind is that you'll no longer be a bride. So things like bridal party, first dance, garter toss, money dance (ew) are very likely going to be side-eyed. Also shower and bachelorette aren't advisable, as you are no longer a bachelorette and presumably you'll have had your home set up.

Go ahead and have a kickass party! There's a recent thread on this from earlier in the week. Try a search for it.

What Jacks said. I wouldn't expect much in the way of gifts or money if that's what you're thinking, because it's not a wedding. But if you want to throw a big party and have a white dress and whatnot, go right ahead. Nothing wrong with that.

For a vow renewal I wouldn't have a wedding party, no registry, no Bridal shower, no Bach parties. No first dance, absolutely no money dances, no gifts, and no cake cutting. It's to recommit your vows, not a party you didn't get to have.

I agree with no registry, bridal shower, Bach party but you can do a dance to a special song and cut the cake. There’s nothing wrong with that. Enjoy your day!

I don't see a problem with a cake cutting and a party to celebrate your however many years of marriage.

I think you can do a cake and a special dance, but no garter toss/bouquet toss, minimal bridal party if any (should really be just your kids if you have them), and don't expect large gifts.

I agree I think a cake cutting and a special dance would be nice (I'm thinking of Richard and Emily Gilmore dancing to "Wedding Bell Blues" at their vow renewal!), but no registry, no shower, no bachelorette party, no bridal party (maybe just a MOH and best man if you really want) and DEFINITELY no money dance. I think a white cocktail dress or some other nice dress would be in order, but a full-on bridal gown would be a bit weird.

The married couple renewing their vows, can do whatever you want.

As far as the pre-parties it makes sense to skip all that, since the couple is already in the union, the event itself....

It's up to the person and what they want to incorporate into their event. If you want to have a bridal party, go for it. If you want to do a special dance and garter toss/bouquet toss, go for it.

If she wants to wear a wedding dress, go for it. (not like the majority of brides walking down the aisle are virgins, many have already consummated their union with the fiance, many times....so a married woman has just as much right to wear a wedding dress as the so-called bride who's already having sexual relations with her fiance and/or has children by her fiance).

I can understand someone wanted to do the most of the wedding traditions if they had a courthouse ceremony. If the couple is young and has only been married 24 months, why would the gifts have to be minimize or none at all? If the couple been married 3+ years, in my opinion it would be up to the guests (that would be considered an anniversary gift to me) but they can certainly just ask for monetary gifts.

The event as a renewal is to give family and friends the experience of a full wedding ceremony and reception that did not happen initially. This also gives the couple the ability to capture a lot of moments on video and photos that they didn't get going to the courthouse.

Many couples who are not married are already living together and acting like husband and wife (aka common law) in every way, they get to have the full wedding so I don't know why someone renewing their vows can't have the same.