Renewing Wedding vows

I think the same as very simple weddings or very expensive weddings Cherrytree, it's what you both want that matters, don't feel pressured into it .

Not the same thing but my elder daughter lost her wedding ring, they wanted the new ring blessed in the church where they married but didn't have the need for anyone to witness it, so just the two of them and the priest

My view is that if you haven't broken your wedding vows, why would you need to renew them ?

When it was our silver wedding we wanted to celebrate so we had a party at home for family and friends. We renewed our vows a couple of days later on the anniversary date, but on our own with just a close friend who was minister of our church at the time. Didn't feel the need to have anyone there or even tell people we were doing it, but felt thankful we'd had happy times and wanted to remind ourselves of how important that commitment was - and still is now after 45 years.

A friend did this on her 15th anniversary in the church where the original ceremony took place then it was back to theirs for buffet for about 20. It was a lovely intimate day but not something would ever feel I wanted. When I was helping plan DD's wedding a member of a forum I used was planning a renewal for the following year with the whole dress, bridesmaids, reception everything, why ??
I do think the ring blessing is a touching idea Annie

Personally I don't get it. 45 years next year and we will go on a nice holiday and a meal and drink with family and friends.

I think it is slightly strange really - apologies to those who have followed this path.

In a weird sort of way it smacks of something having happened that requires a renewal - e.g. an infidelity!

Actually- why not in our case. Our wedding was cancelled as I rebroke my leg (after a terrible car crash on 22nd of Dec 45 years ago) and 5 months in hospital, most of it in traction. I rebroke my leg about 1 hour after fiancé arrived from the UK with his brother 2 days before the wedding- rest of the family arriving the next day. Slipped, fell on my knee that wouldn't bend, and the lower part of the femur, which had been smashed to smithereens, broke and popped out. Massive op the next day, including re-breaking the middle part which had healed in a bow- and we got married the next day in hospital- theatre gown, drip up, white as a sheet- only his brother and my best friend were allowed, and then my parents just to kiss us afterwards.

They then left to go and have the wedding dinner, family only. So since I was not at my own wedding reception, perhaps time for one now. Celebrating 180 years, his 70, my 65 + 45 married. The hospital is now an OAP home, so will go and buy a drink and snacks for the residents too- and flowers for the person who lives in 'our' room.

DH went home after 1 week back to his job in London. I followed in a wheel-chair a couple of months later. In short, not an easy start- made us stronger.

Thank you nina, my daughter felt it was just a piece of jewellery untill it was blessed in the same church,placed on the same bible , her husband placing the ring on her finger and their hands plus ring draped together ,only then did it become her wedding band

I don't feel the need to renew my vows they were good for out lifetime to me. I'd rather have a good holiday together anyday.

Agree with others that it's all a bit unnecessary. The wedding vows include the words 'till death do us part', they do not have any other inbuilt expiry date .
granjura I do think you, however, should have a belated wedding reception/dinner/party, one that you can attend and enjoy after all these years

Our 45th this year and we are going to the panto with family - oh yes we are!
Never felt the need for a vow renewal

It baffles me why one would do it unless there was a specific reason, as Lucky said. Anyway, there is enough going on day to day without trying to plan another wedding. We usually have a big family get together but our wedding anniversary is an excuse not a reason.

I know someone who went on a cruise every year on their wedding anniversary and renewed their vows onboard ship. She had a new wedding dress each time with flowers and the whole lot. He left her!

I threaten DH with this every now and then to see the horrified look on his face. DD2 wants us to do it as in the Gavin and Stacey episode which was hilarious. No we're not doing it.

I think I'd rather have a nice holiday with my husband to celebrate our Golden Wedding next year,,I don't see the need for renewing our vows after all those years together !

Oh that was so funny Teetime - remember the ring with PD on it, Michael said it should stand for Puff Daddy!

I spent £250 on my wedding in 1979 and catered it myself. It was a blast and I loved it and I don't feel the need to renew vows now. However, a local upscale hotel does a very good wedding package saving thousands for a wedding for 100 guests and I am tempted to use it for a second wedding as it would be so much cheaper than their day rate for a ruby wedding do. For me, its the marriage that counts, not the party. But then I am mean and frugal too. What to do?

No! I don't honestly think I could. I would never re-marry if the situation every arose.

granjura yes, I can see that is a good reason to have a party that you too can enjoy. But, your vows were valid then and are still valid now.
Anniebach I can also see a reason for your daughters point of view.

Our 40th next year , we will be having a nice meal with close family and then off on a special short break for just the two of us.

Absolutely- we will have a big party but not re-new wows. The surgeon, best friend of my parents', had to sign a document saying that I was fit to make the vows- despite being on a drip and knocked out by a very long general anesthesia and on high doses of pain killers, though. I can barely remember the events- I have to say.

I really don't think so; the wedding was traumatic enough! I didn't even get married with my own ring, thanks to a last minute change of best man! The whole thing should have been a recipe for impending marital disaster, but next year is our fiftieth! It will be celebrated with a barbecue for wider family and friends, followed by a holiday with the children and GCs when the school holidays start.

Agree with others - I always feel "didn't you mean it the first time?"!

We have NEVER felt the need to renew our vows even thought we have been married for 66 years.
Hubby is 87 and I am 85 and we married in 1949. We have had many ups and downs but always been faithful to each other and the only thing that we renewed is my wedding and engagement rings for our 50th wedding anniversary.
He has Dementia and I was his carer until October when I fell and broke my hip in three places that I am still recovering from because I now have an infection in the same leg as the hip I broke.
Strangely enough I broke my hip the same day that my son started his retirement so he has been looking after his dad.

Vows don't wear out so don't need renewing.
I knew a couple who did this at the man's insistence. A month later his wife found he'd been having a long-term affair and he left her for the Other Woman.

We didn't feel the need to renew our vows, as we hadn't broken them, but designed a thanksgiving/blessing service with the help of the Cathedral clergy, as we wanted to give thanks for 40 years together. Our bridesmaids and original wedding guests, and new friends and family came and we had a beautiful service, followed by a tea at the Town Hall and a meal out in a restaurant in the evening, (guests were happy to pay for themselves, or it would have been too expensive). Our children made a speech at the tea and the grandchildren presented me with flowers, which was a lovely surprise. We then left for an extended 'second honeymoon'!