Renewal of wedding vows - what's the protocol?

My parents did this!
Mum had never taken off her wedding ring since the day they were married and it became stuck on her finger, so Dad took her into his shed, put her finger in a vice, and sawed it off her finger.
Then they went to the Jewellery Quarter and bought its replacement.
But Mum wasn't happy as it hadn't been blessed, or 'churched' as she called it.
So Dad swung into action again.
He visited the church where they'd married all those years ago, talked to the vicar (who was so thrilled by this tale of enduring love) and between them they arranged a day and time for a Renewal of Vows ceremony.
Appointed day, Dad told Mum they were going out for a drive and lunch at some place he'd been told about, so she'd better wear a posh frock and he'd put a suit on..en route he said that he'd heard that their old parish church had been refurnished, so why didn't they look around?
Bingo!

It's our golden wedding this year. We will have a party to celebrate but dont need to renew our vows.

I, also, find the renewal of vows ceremony strange! Why?
But were invited to one, abroad, and it was lovely. We worked it in with a 14 day holiday abroad. We just dressed up a bit and had a meal and drinks. Cost the couple a LOT of money and I did wonder why? Why not just invite people to a party if you want to spend so much money??? As THAT was basically what it was!

Each to their own though.

vampire just going to a register office with a couple of strangers to act as witnesses sounds lovely It’s the public vow renewal I find a bit strange.

We went to a friends renewal in church a few years ago. My friend wore a full length pastel coloured floaty dress, her husband wore a suit and tie. The 20 or so guests wore smart casual and we went back to their house for a tea party style buffet.
Some people did bring a small present.

DH and I are considering renewing our vows next year. When we got married we wanted to simply go to the Registry Office and grab a couple of strangers to act as witnesses but I got persuaded/bullied into making it a bigger affair. That was a terrible mistake as all the guests were from my family and DH was ignored by most of them. It's a very strange wedding when the guests only speak to the bride and ignore the groom. Although we're still happily married our wedding still leaves a bitter taste so we thought we might renew our vows in the way we originally intended so that we have happier memories of our special day.

Sounds lovely GrannySomerset

You could ask the happy couple, perhaps? Some are almost like a wedding, while others are much more low-key and perhaps happen after a time of difficulty or ill-health.

SirC my feelings exactly. I was barely conscious when I got married, the day after a massive operation to try and save my leg- but coming to 50 years - it would never cross my mind to renew wows- surely 50 years together is testimony enough?

We wanted some form of service to celebrate our Golden Wedding and chose a sung evensong using a choir we both belonged to. It was absolutely lovely and followed by a posh afternoon tea for 106 so was a real celebration. We said “no presents please” on the invitation but had a couple of Hospice collecting boxes out for those who felt like contributing. I don’t think a present should be the fee for attending!

I've never understood this - do vows expire?

I suppose it depends on the venue as to whether it's formal or informal attire. Could you just take champagne and flowers instead of a present? It would be kind of cheeky to expect your guests to bring presents after you've been married for years!

I find the concept a bit cringeworthy to be honest. I’ve read that they happen but I don’t know anyone who has been to one.

I often wonder why people need to renew their wedding vows, surely first time around was sufficient.

DD, who is an Independent Celebrant conducts quite a lot of these. It is entirely up to the couple what form the service or ceremony takes. If it is in a Church then it is liable to be more formal than it would be if the venue is a hotel or outdoors (now very popular). Why not ask the relative or another guest if there is a suggested dress code? As to a present it would be appropriate to take a small one. Perhaps a photo frame for the inevitable photo of the happy couple on their special day?

I went to one a few years ago. It was like a wedding but we didn't take a present. Not sure if things have changed since then.