I have some questions about a vow renewal ceremony?

My husband and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary on December 31st. We never had a wedding, a reception, anything like that. We want to renew our vows in front of our friends and family on Dec. 31st. My questions are:

Is it appropriate for me to wear a bridal gown? Since I never got to, I really want to!

Would it be ok for my daughters to be like bridesmaids since they are too old to be flower girls? (They are 9 and 8)

Can we repeat our vows AND say new ones? I really like the love honor and cherish, ect. BUT I also want to throw in some personal stuff, like the things we have overcome, and how I'm looking forward to 50 more years like the past 10, ect.

I am what you'd call a wedding virgin, so any help would be much appreciated! I only have 7 months to plan, so I'll probably be on here asking a lot more!

I have some questions about a vow renewal ceremony?
My husband and I plan to renew our vows for our 40th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. I think you should do whatever you want to do. If I still fit into my gown, I would wear it! Hubby wants to be more informal, so we are going that route. We were very young when we married, 18 and 20, and we had a large wedding party with all our friends (20). We have not seen most of them in 35-40 years, and we are inviting all of them back. When it comes time for us to renew our vows, we will ask them to come forward and stand with us, just as they did 40 years ago. Why not? No gown, no attendants? Says who? It is YOUR renewal ceremony not anyone elses. I do agree with the part about not registering for gifts -- our invitations say, "Please no gifts, we desire your presence, not your presents!" Be sure you are emphasizing the vows seriously (especially if you are people of faith) and not the "production"...but then make the experience meaningful to YOU! Use common sense and forget Emily Post.
Reply:Remember that this is not your wedding. Seven months to plan is plenty of time.



It would not be appropriate to wear a wedding dress or have a bridal party. Again, this is not a wedding.



And having the event on Dec. 31st is quite selfish. People will feel like they have to cancel/change holiday plans to attend your renewal, which should just be a small, intimate ceremony with close family and friends.
Reply:We are renewing our vows in Oct (20yrs). We did not have a wedding the first time. I am wearing a wedding dress (an informal one)http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

in ivory. My adult daughter's are standing as witnesses. We are actually going to Vegas and inviting about 25 guests.

I think you should do whatever is meaningful to you.

Bless you and many more years of wedded bliss!!!
Reply:you can do whatever you want? what are you doing on the computer? GET OUT THERE AND PLANN!!!!

Also, don't forget the 2nd honeymoon, more for the husband than for you-and don't forget the contraceptives.
Reply:Congratulations! Here is an article I found on etiquette for vow renewal ceremony. Good luck!
Reply:yes .yes. yes. and yes .... good luck to you 2
Reply:Congrats on 9 1/2 years!

A vow renewal is not 'another wedding', so no bridal gown and no attendants. Since you are already married, you had your wedding, whatever form it took at the time, under whatever circumstances.

Renewing your vows is simply having a ceremony - at which, depending upon if you are having it in a church or what your pastor follows, you could say any vows you wanted. You wear a pretty dress - yes, it can be white, and your husband wears a nice suit. From there, you are simply planning an anniversary party - maybe dinner at your home and a bit of a party for family and close friends.
Reply:Did you get married in a civil ceremony or church? if it was civil ceremony then you would be able to have a church blessing and that can be performed more like a wedding would be. I think though that seeing as a vow renewal isnt anything legal then you can have it anyway you want it. if you want to dress up and have bridesmaids then do it, you're family will be happy for you taht you finally get to be a "bride".



You can put in your own wording for a vow renewal too.



http://www.idotaketwo.com/renewing_weddi... this site may have some helpful info for you.
Reply:My hubby and I are in the exact same situation (only 5 years, not 10). I have done so much research on this and almost every site that deals with vow renewals/2nd wedding type issues says that you Can't have the whole shebang-dress, ceremony, reception. They all say that once you get married you can't have a 'do-over'. This highly upset me and I'm still not sure what we're going to do. My husband says who cares what other people think, it's for you (the couple), not everyone else. I care too much about what other people think though. I think if both you and your husband really want it and you don't care what others think, then you should go for it. If you do, let me know! Maybe it will give me the motivation to do it also! Good luck in whatever you decide!