Anyone here renew their wedding vows?

[WootWoot]

I'm looking for Mustachian ideas on how to have a wedding vow renewal. I don't really have a home I can invite people to (clutter problems, and the house isn't that big). A possibility is my sister's home, but let's say for argument's sake that she can't host it. We don't have a huge social circle so it won't turn into a blowout. My cousin is a minister, and I'm thinking of asking him to officiate. We have no children.

Open to suggestions! I love hearing about how people celebrate life events.

[Kris]

I'm looking for Mustachian ideas on how to have a wedding vow renewal. I don't really have a home I can invite people to (clutter problems, and the house isn't that big). A possibility is my sister's home, but let's say for argument's sake that she can't host it. We don't have a huge social circle so it won't turn into a blowout. My cousin is a minister, and I'm thinking of asking him to officiate. We have no children.

Open to suggestions! I love hearing about how people celebrate life events.

Well, my first question is, why do you want to renew your vows?

I'm not questioning it, I'm just wondering what your goal is in doing this. It might help to know that, in order to help you figure out a way to do it.

[MrsDinero]

My parents renewed their vows every 10 years.  They just did it at the church after a Sunday service and then we all went to lunch.   

[WootWoot]

I'm looking for Mustachian ideas on how to have a wedding vow renewal. I don't really have a home I can invite people to (clutter problems, and the house isn't that big). A possibility is my sister's home, but let's say for argument's sake that she can't host it. We don't have a huge social circle so it won't turn into a blowout. My cousin is a minister, and I'm thinking of asking him to officiate. We have no children.

Open to suggestions! I love hearing about how people celebrate life events.

Well, my first question is, why do you want to renew your vows?

I'm not questioning it, I'm just wondering what your goal is in doing this. It might help to know that, in order to help you figure out a way to do it.

We'll be married 30 years and have never formally celebrated any prior anniversary (even our 25th!). Our mothers will be 80 and 81, respectively, this year. I've got an uncle and a relative in my extended family who may not live to see our 40th. I like a party and an excuse to dress up. Hope this helps!

[I'm a red panda]

We got the non-expiring vows the first time, so we won't be doing a renewal.
We are way too frugal to host a party of that scale for a "non-event".

[WootWoot]

What do you mean, non-event? An anniversary isn't an event?

We got the non-expiring vows the first time, so we won't be doing a renewal.
We are way too frugal to host a party of that scale for a "non-event".

[zephyr911]

I've really thought it'd be cool to do one for our fifth anniversary later this year, though it depends where we end up for the occasion. Her family doesn't all accept our marriage since the Catholic church didn't perform it, and vow renewals aren't big where they live, so if we're with them in Argentina that day (as we quite possibly will be) then maybe not.

Of course, we could always disregard the exact date and run something before or after.

[WootWoot]

Forgot to add: My parents renewed theirs at a ceremony with many other couples in our (Catholic) diocese's cathedral. They were married 25 years, and my grandpa gave them a nice party. They also went on a short cruise. This was in 1986. In fall 1987, my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died at Eastertime 1988. He was 50, younger than my DH and I are right now. We were all so happy that they had these special events together. My folks were also quite frugal, though I wouldn't call them Mustachian.

[I'm a red panda]

What do you mean, non-event? An anniversary isn't an event?

We got the non-expiring vows the first time, so we won't be doing a renewal.
We are way too frugal to host a party of that scale for a "non-event".

No, I don't really think an anniversary is an event; at least in the sense that other people care about it. DH and I mark ours (this year by making sushi at home), because it is a thing for us- but we don't celebrate it, and we don't involve other people. I don't think staying married, like we committed to do, is something that warrants celebration. And to me, a vow renewal is a spendy-pants non-event.  Like I said, the vows didn't have an expiration date; so why would they need to be renewed?

If you want to have a party, invite people to the park for a potluck, and renew your vows as part of the gathering. That would be an inexpensive way to do it.

[sisto]

It seems important to you and not like it would not involve a lot of cost. What about looking into a Moose lodge or something similar to that to have it or possibly some type of community center you can reserve. Congratulations to you!

[okits]

Could you celebrate in the summertime (regardless of your actual anniversary date), have a casual ceremony in a park, then picnic/BBQ/potluck? 

For the reasons you described, the actual excuse for the party isn't so important.  Getting your loved ones together with a joyful focus is great (at some point, it seems you really only see people at weddings and funerals.  A gathering where everyone is happy is wonderful, and with aged family members, you need to seize opportunities as they come up.)

Congrats on 30 years!

[iris lily]

I think it is great that you want to throw a party and celebrate this event.

Since you want to get "dressed up" is an event held outdoors in a public park as others suggest what you have in mind? I am thinking not.  But some parks do have nice indoor spaces to rent, others have typical shelters that are not weather proof or "nice" because they are dirty, and they have no architectural interest.

Were I doing this event for 12-20 people I would hire out one of the many charming historic houses around here and have a Sunday brunch, catered by either myself (ask people to help set up) or have pay for catering.  All of these places have elegant indoor and outdoor spaces and can easily accomodate a small group.

Oh right, maybe the only Mustacheon thing sbout this is that fees  for
Sunday would be cheaper than Saturday night when you are competing with all of the brides for the space.

[WootWoot]

Good point about the Sunday. Thanks! There is a historic bed and breakfast here, and actually, a second one just opened. It might be just the ticket. And brunch sounds great!

Thank you, all!

I think it is great that you want to throw a party and celebrate this event.

Since you want to get "dressed up" is an event held outdoors in a public park as others suggest what you have in mind? I am thinking not.  But some parks do have nice indoor spaces to rent, others have typical shelters that are not weather proof or "nice" because they are dirty, and they have no architectural interest.

Were I doing this event for 12-20 people I would hire out one of the many charming historic houses around here and have a Sunday brunch, catered by either myself (ask people to help set up) or have pay for catering.  All of these places have elegant indoor and outdoor spaces and can easily accomodate a small group.

Oh right, maybe the only Mustacheon thing sbout this is that fees  for
Sunday would be cheaper than Saturday night when you are competing with all of the brides for the space.

[KBecks]

Congratulations and have a wonderful time!

[mamagoose]

I think we will renew ours on our 10 year anniversary, with just us and our daughter (who will then be 7 years old). It comes to mind only because shortly before our wedding we visited Hawaii on a business trip & said "I can't wait to bring our kids here one day", and 7 seems like a good age range to go back. Sundress, bare feet, like a little elopement rolled into a family vacation. Dreamy :)

[protostache]

We sort of renewed ours but it was a completely different situation. My at the time fiancée's mother was dying of cancer so we pushed the wedding up 10 months and had a small ceremony so she could attend. She passed a week after.

 We kept our original reservations and had the big ceremony and party the following year, but the pastor required us to say we were renewing our vows instead of getting married (again).

[WootWoot]

protostache, My dad died six weeks before our wedding (cancer). Everyone knew he might not make it , but he and my mom wanted us to go ahead with our plans. Very sad. I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.