is a vow renewal a stupid idea?

I think vow renewals are a beautiful thing and not a waste at all! You don't have to splurge a ton of money, if you just want a small gathering of your close family that alone would keep the costs down.

Not a waste of money at all. My husband and I are planning our vow renewal. It will be everything our first wedding wasn't. Don't let anyone make you believe that you're wasting your time. There is nothing more beautiful that two people renewing their vows and love for each other. Happy planning!!

Thanks! I just keep thinking of everything we could do with the extra money even if we only spend a small amount lol. I have a hard time doing things for myself and that's what I see this as. I was also thinking no one would come because we are already married but I guess I will just have to wait and see.

My DH and I just had our civil marriage convalidated in the Catholic Church last Saturday. We invited about 30 family members and close friends and about 15 attended. We had a cake and punch reception at our home, then invited our guests to join us for a Dutch-treat dinner at a local restaurant.

We spent less than $3000 for everything. Our big ticket items were our rings - 1 e-ring & 2 gold bands @ $1300, and my DH's kilt @ $600. We had a beautiful ceremony and I was ecstatically happy.

For 15 guests, not at all!

Not at all! Plan a lovely celebration for you and your husband and your family. It will be a meaningful and heartfelt occasion for all of you!

No! I am not even married yet, and I want to plan a beach vow renewal after 5 years. I think it is a lovely idea!

Its a wonderful idea! No matter how many people, but it's a great reminder of promises you each have made. I say do it!

This is an opportunity to exchange your vows -- and maybe rings, too. Have the ceremony you wish you had a year ago. Invite your closest family & friends to an anniversary party -- then surprise them with a vow renewal.

When DH & I got married, I was not yet in the wedding biz, so went with a pretty cut & dried ceremony (basic from State of Florida). For our 20th anniversary, we renewed our vows with a ceremony I put together that was much more meaningful.

Absolutely not! Ditto to what everyone else said.

Not at all, heck that may be all that show up to my event which is ok for me b/c I really want the perks w/o having to spend more than what I can aford. Sounds like a great plan to me! Good luck w/your decision!

My husband and I are renewing our vows as well. I think as long as you are doing it because you love each other and you want to give each other what you couldnt the first time. I totaly agree and want to say YAY! How long have you been together now?????

I agree with everyone else - it's a great idea! Go for it!

That's exactly what DH and I did! We too went through the struggle of "is this dumb or what?" but in the end, it was totally worth it. It really was no less special than our wedding day and it felt official, official.

We were planning for a 6k wedding in Downtown Seattle, but we ended up bringing it back to our backyard and it turned out wonderful. We had roughly 50 guests.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/finally-recap-with-pics-92212-pic-heavy/9ed950074fbf15be.html

It is not! Edubb has tentatively said we can do a 5 yr renewal and it will be a small beach affair. I think it is super sweet that people reaffirm their love and commitment to one another. I also think it's important to be good to yourself. If you cannot think of it as being good to yourself, think of it as being good to your husband. Men (although they seldom say it) love to be publicly recognized and honored by their wives -- which is what your renewal will be doing.

@Marilyn, let's plan together!!! :-)

Aww, do it! Have a cute little ceremony in a chapel or do it in your backyard. It doesn't have to cost much at all! Grab some sandwiches/platters at Costco and have a good time!

We're in the process of planning our 10 year vow renewal, 15 years together. We were 19 and 20 when we married and did have a traditional ceremony with friends and family, but it was not what I wanted. I plan on wearing a full pink gown this time around and have our oldest son (11) officiate, our younger son (7) will walk me down the aisle, and our daughter (4) will be our flower girl or Jr. Maid. Lots of people and ads say a big renewal is tacky, but I feel like it's our money and we'll do what we want. We host lots of parties, so essentially this will be the same, just more formal and focused on us. We've been through soooo much as a couple and I think a reaffirmation of our love for one another is just what we need. This will be a special occasion celebrating our commitment to one another since age 14. I'm very excited and cannot wait until our "We Still Do". Wtbs: Go for it and have a great time!

Yes it is a waste of money. I personally and most of my friends think it is silly because you already made the commitment for LIFE so renewing makes no sense. What are you renewing? The commitment was already made.

A vow renewal for a milestone anniversary (25, 50 years) is fine but most don’t see a need to. 2 years and less gets the side eye from a lot of people because the couple hasn’t been married that long.