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Would you renew your wedding vows like Dolly Parton?

(72 Posts)
grannywonder Thu 09-Jun-16 09:52:53

An impressive 50 years (in showbiz terms isn't that worth about double!? grin)
Very happy for them but not sure that kind of celebration is for me. The sentiment is there but I'd feel quite awkward asking people - even just family - to celebrate with me again. Would you renew your vows?

kittylester Thu 09-Jun-16 17:44:15

If a couple have made it to 50years, a renewal seems superfluous. confused The party is non-negotiable though! wine

kittylester Thu 09-Jun-16 17:46:17

I made that last post very flippantly and I realise that some GNs won't be able to have a party so I'm sorry if I hurt anyone. blush Or even offended anyone! grin

GandTea Thu 09-Jun-16 18:10:55

After 50 years I can't remember what I promised, so a reminder would be good. Party, definitely, booking a table for two at MacDonalds.

Ana Thu 09-Jun-16 18:12:20

GandTea grin That's the spirit!

GandTea Thu 09-Jun-16 18:23:21

Nothing is too much for MrsP grin

annsixty Thu 09-Jun-16 18:43:53

We will have been married 58 years in August. We did have a small dinner party at a restaurant and a garden lunch the next day for our Golden but last year H didn't even know so no diamond celebrations for us. Those of you who can celebrate,do so,it is an achievement. I do think it might be an opportunity to renounce vows though, that might prove very popular?.

Newquay Thu 09-Jun-16 23:53:46

Yes it's certainly something to celebrate but I don't understand this renewal business. Why? Have they lapsed or something then?
I've sometimes told DH he's jolly lucky we don't have to renew our marriage every year cos some years I would have had to think hard about it! But here we are 47 years later and still plodding onsmile

numberplease Thu 09-Jun-16 23:56:37

We didn`t really make any vows 53 years ago, it was a registry office wedding, quick in and out, shake of the hand and "that`ll be seven and sixpence please"!

janeainsworth Fri 10-Jun-16 06:42:09

It seems from the link in the OP that Dolly had a very small wedding back in 1966, with only her mother as witness, so I can understand her wanting to do it again, 50 years on, and make a bigger thing of it.
We had a very small register office wedding and although I wouldn't want to go through that bit again, it has been the excuse for some memorable parties at regular intervals ever since smile
I've told MrA that I want to celebrate our Golden Wedding in 4 years' time with a return visit to Fat Harold's in North Myrtle Beach, NC www.fatharolds.com grin

Dolly is going to donate all the profits from the sale of the photographs from her second wedding to her charity which promotes literacy among disadvantaged children in America, so good on her. smile

kittylester Fri 10-Jun-16 06:48:52

That's great jane. I'm a huge Dolly fan and believe she also has one of her literary schemes running in the UK - somewhere in the north, I think.

Our wedding anniversary is often the 'excuse' for a big family bash. wine

Lisalou Fri 10-Jun-16 09:18:59

I think Wedding Anniversaries should be celebrated, but renewing vows? Why? Seems redundant...I think it is just an excuse to do all the wedding thing again...I see younger people also speak about renewing vows, after five or ten years...weird in my book

Harris27 Fri 10-Jun-16 09:19:10

Read this with interest we renewed our vows at 30 years and myself and my husband had never had a party for anything before but I had just gotten over a particularly bad time with a illness and felt lucky to be alive! We started talking about doing this and my husband said why not? So we gathered our dearest friends booked the church and reception afterwards the girls at work and dear true friends still say it was an amazing day and it was for me and my husband we celebrate our ruby wedding next year and don't plan to do anything but go on holiday together as nothing could surpas our lovely 30th.

goose1964 Fri 10-Jun-16 09:29:02

I can understand if a couple makes 25+ years b ut on Say yes to the dress ( Ok my bad TV habit) they've has people renewing after 1 -5) often just because they didn't like the dress they wore

Sheilasue Fri 10-Jun-16 09:38:03

My mum and dad had a blessing on there 60th at the church where they were married. I will be celebrating my golden anniversary but it will probably be a villa in the med somewhere. Just immediate family

Stansgran Fri 10-Jun-16 09:47:47

*Harris27 *mine eyes smelt onions at your post. Lovely reason. It made me think what would be good for our 50 years in 2019 ( if we're spared) We went on our honeymoon camping with an old MG. we were very poor in our eyes but had one wonderful meal at a beautiful chateau in the Loire valley. I've just thought that I would like to renew our honeymoon rather than our vows in that chateau if it's still around.

marionk Fri 10-Jun-16 09:48:59

My DH had a heart attack and emergency bypass surgery recently and during his early days of recovery he went on and on about this.... I kept VERY noncommittal as we've only been married 4 years!!! Happily since the morphine has well and truly worn off the subject seems to have been forgotten, phew

Soniah Fri 10-Jun-16 09:50:27

We renewed ours at the church we got married at after 25 years with just a few close friends, just as a celebration of happy years together, no special frock etc. There is no pressure to do it so if it's not for you don't and if you don't want to go to someone else's don't - simple. It's not something I'd do often, that has been the only time in 38 years, but it was special for us. I'm surprised at what strong feelings this subject has raised, maybe we are not as tolerant as we'd like to think!

Lindajane Fri 10-Jun-16 09:57:51

My husband's been nagging me for years to renew our vows and in a moment of weakness on our 30th anniversary, I agreed I would on our 40th. Seemed a long way away at the time, now it's on 3!
We married after 3 months and were told by many, including my mum, that it wouldn't last. It's mere assuring to know so many of you don't like the idea and think it's awkward. I think I need to come up with a good alternative!

BBbevan Fri 10-Jun-16 10:02:02

I have been married 51 years. No need to renew my wedding vows as I haven't broken them yet !

Anniebach Fri 10-Jun-16 10:04:36

That it's special for those who choose to renew their vows or have a blessing is all that matters , I think at a time when divorce parties are increasing even more reason to celebrate a long marriage

annsixty Fri 10-Jun-16 10:05:03

Of course everyone should do what they want it just wouldn't be on for some of us. I would feel very torn if my partner really wanted it and I didn't.I would think they may be very upset and think I didn't feel the same way about the relationship as they did and I might have given in.

Harris27 Fri 10-Jun-16 10:09:59

Thanks stansgran it was truly a lovely day my sons were amazed at us doing it as we are not a showy couple at all. It was carefully chosen friends and church where our boys had been to boys brigade and school carol services etc afterwards a little country pub with function room and background music playing. I wore cream suit and small bunch flowers given to me by hubby?all tasteful and we often talk about our 'unusual' but very lovely decision my husband is the type who won't even have photo taken! We have been through some really hard times since financial emotional ageing parents to look after and the usual family traumas. However that day was the best day ever and no one can take it away do it but do it for a reason a one that you will always remember x

Gaggi3 Fri 10-Jun-16 10:30:54

Love Dolly and admire what she does, but renewal is not for us. We had a small church wedding 50 years ago, but now no longer have any religious beliefs so it would be hypocritical to renew vows. Parties are fine though.

Gaggi3 Fri 10-Jun-16 10:32:48

I refer you to the episode in "Gavin and Stacey", where Dawn and Peter renew their vows.

Thingmajig Fri 10-Jun-16 10:41:25

I always think it's an attention-seeking thing and really don't see the point ... why not just have a party?

I'm not sure what vows I made anyway since we got married in Copenhagen and the 5 minute ceremony is a blur!!! smile