Renewing vows

We went on holiday to Las Vegas for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2007. On the day of our anniversary, we decided on the spur of the moment to go to one of the 'Elvis' wedding chapels and get renewed - by the man himself!

It was the best fun ever! They sent a limo to collect us and provided a posy for me and a button hole for DH. Elvis was 6'6" and was resplendent in a white jumpsuit! I had to promise not to step on DH's blue suede shoes and he had to promise never to leave me in heartbreak hotel then Elvis sang Viva Las Vegas. We had a DVD which has provided us all with much hilarity and left our kids rolling their eyes in despair! Undoubtedly naff but one of the best experiences ever.

Lighten up Gransnetters!

My son and his wife renewed their vows on their 10 year anniversary in 2011. They invited about 50 people, many of whom had obviously been to their wedding. It was held at the local Registry Office in Richmond followed by a lunch time party at a pub near Richmond Green. Their two and half year old daughter was there and my DIL was very pregnant with their 2nd daughter. The vows were lovely and their original witnesses signed the book as before. The party was great and what was nice that so many of their friends who have since got married and had a family, were able to attend.
They met at 6th Form college when they were both 18 years old. Went to Uni together and set up home after graduation, getting married at 25 years old. The first in their group by quite a margin.
They'd plan to have a party anyway but decided to add the vows to it. We all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and it was an excuse to dress up and drink some bubbly

DH and I have visited many churches on our anniversaries. We like to take a weekend break to celebrate on our own. Sometimes we are lucky and the organist may be playing or in one cathedral the choir were rehearsing.

Grandmanorm Churches are good places to meditate and to work out a solution to a problem, for that matter. You don't have to be a believer to benefit from the calm atmosphere and overall sense of tranquillity.

Young couples seem to go for very elaborate weddings these days not to mention the dreadful-sounding hen parties. Perhaps some older women feel they have missed out by having a frugal one all those years ago.

I had a frugal wedding in 1970 and have used it as an excuse to party ever since.
Our Ruby Wedding party 3 years ago was the best - we had a marquee in the garden and live music and dancing, but renewing the vows didn't seem that important

We celebrate our golden wedding next year and I would like to just pop into the church where we got married, on the actual date. Not for an elaborate celebration or with those who were with us on that day, just for a quiet moment.
Neither of us go to church any longer, or indeed believe in it.
Other half not keen at all, so maybe I shall go on my own.
I have no idea why, in case anyone asks, I just want to go and meditate there for a few quiet moments.

An excuse for another party - and naff.

It's naff.

Nelliemoser that's what I was thinking, it's almost a precursor to splitting up. I completely understand why people want to celebrate wedding anniversaries though. We are all different, I just find some of these new non events rather over the top, I never thought I would think this when I was growing up but sometimes I long for the stoicism of my parents' and grandparents' generations.

The celebs seem to do it just before they finally split up! Not a recommendation!

ginny - I agree with you, I don't see any reason to do this. Possibly a couple could re-evaluate their relationship together if they thought that was necessary and they had come through a rough patch. Nothing on God's earth would make me want to renew my vows even though I consider myself happily married. Can't help thinking it's celebrity driven if it's done in a conspicuous way, the cynic in me feels that a lot of ordinary people act is if they are starring in their own reality tv show these days. It's like a load of other things baby showers, wedding showers, week long hen and stag parties, over the top weddings. We are all different but I find all this excess nauseating. It's really how you treat each other on a day to day basis that matters.

Perhaps it is seen as a meaningful way to mark a special anniversary.