Renewing Wedding vows

I think a renewal of vows is a very odd thing to do.An excuse for a party?
I have been to a couple of them ( under protest) and found them to be a bit cringeworthy.

Why not just have a big party in the garden instead, if you want to do something?

I feel rather sad to read all these posts. My lovely husband recently asked me if I would like to renew our vows in church on our Golden Wedding anniversary next year. It felt so very special, being asked. We have had some difficult times, health wise, in the last three years and have always been mindful of the vows we took "for better, for worse; in sickness or in health." To me, renewing our vows means we're still standing! And how lovely it will be to have our children and grandchildren there to witness this.

When I made my wedding vows they were for life. We are both still living, so unless we die and are then resurrected, I cannot really see a need to renew them.

Having said that I do understand that in a world where so many marriages are short-lived to have stayed marriage contentedly for 20 years or more is something truly to celebrate and I can understand why some people choose to do this by a renewal of vows, but, if I were tempted, the idea of the thanksgiving service mentioned by RAF would be very attractive.

I have been to one which was held on the couples 40th wedding anniversary. It was at their home and the Priest from their RC church did "the honours". The rest of us, about 25 couples, were then invited to do the same. I was not at all comfortable, we were one of two couples who were not catholic. I felt I should have been told and would have declined or asked if I could go afterwards to the very sumptuous meal.

As Monica says, and we are all aware, wedding vows are for life.

granjura - what an awful start for you. A day to remember indeed.

Up to each couple ,if it brings they joy this is all that matters . Just choice, many couples choose never to marry ,their choice.

I don't understand a Roman Catholic priest blessing a marriage of non Catholics , most odd