Convalidation

If its Catholic, it will probably be about 45 minutes to an hour if your priest is chatty. I think you could probably do a tasteful simple type dress. Maybe not a full ballgown type and I think a veil would be just fine.

Usually 30 minutes is a good amount to bet on. I think a simple dress would work just fine, but nothing real over the top since it's a vow renewal. A veil should be fine too

I haven't attended one, but my understanding is that they are around 30 minute ceremonies, and usually couples wear church clothes rather than wedding gowns or even while dresses, though I don't personally know that there is any explicit rule against that. Your priest or parish office should be able to fill you in on the rules and the traditions.

Congratulations on 15 years of marriage!!

Congratulations! I see by the date that your ceremony was a while back so I hope it went beautifully! I am also planning a Roman Catholic convalidation ceremony as my husband and I did not have a Catholic wedding 38 years ago because I'd been married before and my first marriage had not been annulled. I believe in keeping things simple and even my wedding day 38 years ago was not elaborate: I wore an ivory gown and hat with veil, had a handmade silk flower bouquet, a champagne & cake reception in the church hall and our closest family and friends, 12 in all, at a wedding dinner in a restaurant that was a 200 year old farmhouse. My brother & his wife were our attendants. I was at a convalidation ceremony at my church not long ago. An older couple in their 50's finally had their Catholic wedding with their adult son as a witness. The men wore dark blue suits and boutonnieres. The bride wore a very simple long off white wedding dress and a simple headpiece with a short veil, not over the face. She carried a small but traditional bouquet. The ceremony took place at our regular noon Mass, at the end, just before the final blessing. The ceremony took about 10 minutes. We haven't decided if we want our ceremony at Mass or afterwards in private. I'd prefer Mass since there will be music (I'm usually In the choir or the soloist, my best friend Matron of Honor is the organist/choir/music director. I'd love it if the choir will sing, they are all dear friends for many years. ) Hubby isn't Catholic but his input is important. But I have planned some things already: my dress is a simple knee length, long sleeve ivory lace sheath dress, ivory kitten heel pumps, and a small short ivory and pearl veil on a comb on the back of my hair. I'll probably wear Mom's blush pearls, and I'd like a small bouquet of ivory and blush roses. My husband will wear his new black suit, white dress shirt, silver gray or black tie. Our son will be Best Man, in a dark suit & tie. Both will wear ivory rose boutonnieres. My Matron of Honor is my best friend with very simple taste - I'll let her wear whatever she'd like - probably a suit in her favorite shade of blue, and either a small rose bouquet or a corsage . Our young grandkids, a boy 12, girl 9 will attend too - they can wear their "Sunday best". We plan to use our original gold wedding bands. Our "reception" will be just the 7 of us, and we'll invite the priest, at a luncheon or dinner at our favorite nearby elegant restaurant.

I know that this is late for this person but may be helpful for another planning a Convalidation. I am wearing a wedding style dress (for picture purposes) the ceremony will be about 30 minutes and you are able to do as small or as elaborate as you wish. For me it is one of the most important days of my life renewing my vows and honoring the sacrament of marriage. My recommendation is make it about you and what you want for that day. Good luck and God Bless your marriage.

Our convalidation ceremony took place on June 4, 2023. Everything went perfectly, I'm so happy to say! The annulment came through in mid-October last year. I was with my best friend when I was notified and the first thing I did was ask her to be Matron of Honor. She had been at my side and helped me through the whole process so she was thrilled to be asked. Then the planning began with the priest who was notified at the same time. We chose June 4 because it was the first Sunday after our legal anniversary, June 1. We planned a simple ceremony with traditional vows, and the exchange of our original wedding rings, to take place during our church's regular 10AM choir Mass (I am a choir member, cantor and my MOH is the church's music/choir director and organist.) My BFF/MOH/choir director and I planned the music together, including an arrangement of This Is The Day the Lord Has Made sung by the choir, and I asked her to sing the Schubert Ave Maria. I wore an ivory lace street length dress, with matching flat leather shoes, a sheer ivory "coat" over the dress and an ivory bow with a tiny veil in my hair. My husband wore a new black suit, white shirt with French cuffs and a turquoise paisley tie. Our son was Best Man and his children, boy age 12, girl age 9, participated by bringing the Offertory gifts to the altar during the Mass. My husband and I processed into the church with the priest, servers and lector, as is the custom at Mass at our church. The wedding ceremony took place after the homily. My MOH's husband took all the photos and a video was posted on the parish website. There were several bouquets of flowers on the altar - a gift from a florist friend/fellow parishioner. We did not invite anyone or tell anyone about the ceremony except for the priest and the choir. It was quite a pleasant surprise to the parishioners to see us there with our bridal party and wedding finery. There had only been 1 convalidation in our parish as long as I've been there, which is nearly 40 years. My husband is not Catholic and had asked to keep it as low key as possible. After Mass, my MOH had to play the organ for the next Mass, then we all met at a nearby park for photos. Then, MOH and her husband hosted our wedding dinner: it was at a nearby favorite elegant Italian restaurant - for the 7 of us including our son and his children and the priest. There was champagne, and a wedding cake made by a close friend who is a retired baker. It was very much like our original wedding cake - cannoli cream filled yellow cake with butter cream frosting, pink roses, and our original Precious Moments figurine cake topper. I also made up favors - small gift boxes that said "Thank You", filled with pastel almonds, chocolate kisses decorated with personalized stickers, and a cross keepsake with our names. We received some sweet gifts from the choir members, but the most beautiful and unexpected gift was an exquisitely framed Papal Blessing from the MOH and her husband who are very dear friends. It was a most wonderful surprise! After the wedding dinner, we "newlyweds" went on a honeymoon. We did not have one 38 years ago - we had a house and a baby instead. Our honeymoon was supposed to be a cruise on a steamboat on the Mississippi but when we had planned to go, the following spring, I was 7 months pregnant! So, we went to PA for 4 days and stayed in a steamboat-themed hotel. It was a perfect occasion, even the weather was just right - mid-70's, partly cloudy, slight breeze. Here are some photos from our special day.