My husband and I eloped in Las Vegas when we were both in the military. We had no one there with us. Next year will be our 5 year anniversary and my husband wanted to have a renewal ceremony in fact he wants it to be like a wedding. We have gained custody of his two children from a previous marriage and we also have 3 boys together. Ouor second son was concieved while on birth control and our 3rd born three months after a vasectomy. So we were very shocked.
Our ceremony we want to incorporate something neat that involves our kids as well as some of my girlfriends. I have had friends ask to be in the wedding and I said sure not really knowing that you're not suppose to do that for a renewal. I was thinking that I could use the females and males as escorts for our kids. They can walk each one of our 5 kids in for us and then they sit on the front row would that be okay?
I don't want this to be to tacky having so many people involved but my family is making it huge. I have a large family and I am one of the only ones in the family who is married and has stayed married or in a great relationship. Everyone wants to celebarte that so I am all about the party. I love having my family involved and having my husbands family join our family for the first time ever. How can we keep this from becoming a wedding but have some elements that are still nice?
Your focus is perfect. It is supposed to be about bringing everyone together and celebrating your love story--recommiting to each other.
It is understandable that your husband wants this to be a wedding, but it really shouldn't be. You are a wife and he a husband, which is a far cry from bride and groom. So, it may be best for him to read more about vow renewal etiquette.
After reading he may comment that he doesn't care about some silly words on the internet. But, please inform him that this isn't opinion. This is written in books and is the socially expected behavior. He may care if he overhears someone saying how tacky your event it. This would be very unfortunate.
Your ideas sound great though. Including your children is perfect. And, as long as your friends don't appear to be attendants, it is all good.
Perhaps after your friends escort your children to their seats, you two can walk in from the sides of the room. Any one can act as your officiant, so this could be a close family member. Then you two can recite personalized vows.
Since this is not a wedding, you can create your own elements to make this a very special event.
renewal ceremony questions
