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The Kitchen Table

Renewing our Vows

10 years ago

We will be married 50 years on March 28. Jim and I are renewing our vows. I know where we are doing it,but I don't know much else. We don't want a big production. Just saying the vows and then a reception afterwards. Could use some suggestions. Our son and his family are coming we will meet our great-grandson for the first time. It gives Jim something to look forward to.

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Comments (16)

susie53_gw
10 years ago
Enjoy every minute of it. Perhaps you could tell everyone about a few meaningful moments in your life together.
sharon_pa
10 years ago
Congrats to you Sandie! Something that was done to a renewal ceremony I went to was this:

Everyone that was invited to attend was asked to bring a sealed envelope that enclosed a note. This note contained a memory of a time they shared during the past 50 years with you & your hubby. The daughter of this couple had an album that she placed all of the notes in, for mom & dad to open & read once they got home.
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I disagree...my cousin did a similar thing for her wedding...said it was a party for her fiance, who just got a big promotion...she didn't want a big fuss made, and didn't want people to bring gifts. Everyone who made it was pleasantly surprised to take in a quiet ceremony and be involved in the special day. If you aren't wanting to make this a big affair, then I think it's ok to plan it the way you are. You do run the risk of not having as many people come, as you might if you told them outright. (Most people put major anniversaries higher on the list than retirement parties.) You may also have some people feeling bad that they didn't bring a gift when they find out the real reason, or those who don't make it may feel bad they missed it. I still think, though, that everyone should be really excited when they find out the real reason for the picnic, and you will be able to keep it casual that way. Not sure what you have planned for food...if you're planning on keeping it really casual you could always do a potluck and suggest everyone bring their favorite picnic dish (Mmmm potato salad and BBQ chicken anyone??) or (if you don't want to ask people to bring food) there are massive BBQ's that can be rented for burgers or steaks (depending on how fancy you want to make it, and of course your budget). One thing my mom is always good at (for big birthdays/anniversaries/etc.) is making posters with pictures/little known facts/etc. Consider making a couple with wedding pics, pics of you both as children (always neat for the younger generation who never got to see auntie and uncle when they were their age), and things like how you met, how he proposed, favorite memories, etc. Congratulations, and enjoy yourselves, I'm sure everyone else will too. Verena
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Comments (16)
This is such a happy occasion. I hope you'll share photos of the happy bridal couple...and the newest great-grandbaby! He can be your ring-bearer. How many men can say they attended the Great Grandparents' wedding!
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We had our 35th anniversary earlier this year. We have never talked about renewing our vows as, like Sheesh, we seem to do so every day. He works out of state four days a week and we Skype each night ending with blowing each other loads of kisses and then we hug ourselves and "throw" it to the other before a few more blown kisses and hang up. Yes, we are corny like that. When he leaves for the airport, I walk out with him, getting a stand up hug before he gets in his vehicle, then kisses through the window no matter the weather. I then watch him leave, getting a blown kiss as he finishes backing out and is ready to pull away. I watch him down the road, blowing a kiss just before he goes out of site and then run to a a few other places where I can see him pass through our neighborhood. Then I run through the house and out the front door to wait until he drives by on the highway. He toots his horn while I raise my arms and wave, blowing kisses again just before he's out of site. We didn't have a dance at our wedding. Never gave it a thought. When our daughter got married three years ago, I asked the DJ if he had Longer by Dan Fogelberg. He said he didn't, but would be sure to have it at the reception. Unbeknownst to us, after our daughter and her hubby danced with each other and then our daughter with her Dad and her hubby with his Mom, the DJ asked Hubby and I to the dance floor and played "our song". I thought others would join us, but no one did. Not that we would have noticed. Though it wasn't a renewal of our vows, it sure was an awesome experience. When photos started showing up on fb, there were more shots of us dancing than there was of the newly weds. All stating how nice it was to see how true love could really last. We have been so blessed with each other. Here's one of the pictures of us dancing. My, do hope my hair really didn't look that bad. Not that I cared then.
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cheryl_ok
10 years ago
I love vow renewals, they are so special.
Wow, 50 years! That is a lifetime. Congrats!
kayjones
10 years ago
That's so cool! Congratulations on a long marriage!
Georgysmom
10 years ago
I've been to several celebrations where they took photos from over the years and made a slide show. It was fun particularly for those friends that only knew them in the later years to see the younger years.

Sounds wonderful! Just enjoy every minute of the celebration and take lots of pictures.
lisa_fla
10 years ago
What a terrific idea! Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary, Its important to have some happy things going on during difficult times. I like the slide show idea and the memory sharing!
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
10 years ago
Get someone who really knows how to use a camera. Have that one person be in charge of the pictures. Then, you won't have lots of people shooting flashes at you. Pictures taken that way can be 'shared' online.

Jim
chisue
10 years ago
Congratulations in advance -- something to celebrate!

You're way ahead of us with that great-grandchild. We'll be married fifty years in September, but our grandchildren are only almost-three and almost-nine.
glenda_al
10 years ago
Wonderful! You are truly blessed!
jannie
10 years ago
Sounds wonderful! My only suggestion-take loads of pictures. This is something you'll want to remember. (I only have 17 more years to go.)
Sally Brownlee
10 years ago
Tyler Perry made a movie "Why I Got Married"

One scene in the movie had each couple share why they got married.
One older couple was particulaly moving.It was very touching to hear the love the couple still had for one another and how they remember the little details that drew them to the another.

I think that would be a fun thing to hear from you and your married guests...especially for the young folks.

Congrats!
sandiefl
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your good thoughts. When people ask how we stayed married so long, we both tell them. love, respect and trust.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
lol...we just celebrated #44...more a case of determination and love (well you know those "other days")

do you want only family at the actual ceremony or share with everyone? and reception after? at the venue or elsewhere? and timing is everything...do you want a meal or just dessert? my late sister had a party at the local hall (very tiny town) but because she had taught school there, and bil had been mayor (more than once, lol) and the "milkman" they had to have space for a lot of family and friends...
sandiefl
Original Author
10 years ago
We are having family and friends. So far it looks like 30 people. We are having it in our Church Chapel then the reception will be in our meeting room. We aren't sure about the time yet, but our son and daughters will be doing the reception. They said that since we did their weddings,they will return the favor. :-)
kittiemom
10 years ago
Congratulations!! Enjoy your celebration!
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
then the reception can be very simple (unless they're planning a dinner) a lovely dessert or maybe a favorite family dinner? either way enjoy and please come back to let us know what you ended up with...

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