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We will be renewing our wedding vows at our 25th wedding anniversary. We have 9 adult children between us, and 36 grandchildren. The youngest is 1, next youngest are 3-4 year olds. I figure about 1/2 will be in attendance, how can we use them all in the ceremony ?
By Randa Wagner from San Marcos, TX
First of all congratulations! I have studied many things wedding planing being one of them,but it was in attendance at the church where I witness the most precious thing of all. It seems as they it was two blended families however very close. The ages seem quite similar also, even the little ones want to do something special.The older ones I'm sure you have ideal duties from the register book, leading guest, witnesses etc. It's the young ones that need special attention even if they don't remember they will see video and have a special remembrance forever. I suggest the oldest of course could hold rings, flowers.
What I witnessed was remarkable.They had several grand children old enough to sing, instead of singing they read a poem that best suited their grandparents,the smaller ones said one word to describe "nana and papa". So precious the tears flowed and how cute.So depending on the ages of the others songs are great,words to describe you both down to maybe one word love! Enjoy the day and God bless.
My husband and I will be renewing our wedding vows next year. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary and I don't know where to start first. Our colors are silver and white. If anyone has suggestions on decorations, I would love to hear them. I was also wondering if anyone knows how the ceremony is supposed to be? Thanks.
By Redena Aiken from NY
It can be whatever you want! In the coolest renewal ceremony I attended, the bridesmaids walked down the aisle, then the bride came down with no bouquet. The younger children (nieces, nephews, grandchildren) each bringing one flower came down gave the flower to the bride and sat on the floor. Each flower made up her bouquet. When everyone was in place, the minister asked the congregation to stand and he announced, "Behold the bridegroom cometh!" It gave me goosebumps, was such an awesome ceremony, she gave such honor to her husband.
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I am planning my 25th wedding anniversary (vows renewal) my gown will be silver, but what color should my bridesmaids wear? My favorite color is purple.
By virginia from Metro
Silver and purple are lovely together. (08/25/2009)
By PENNY K
I did a wedding for the experience, I was thinking about becoming a wedding coordinator at the time. The bride wanted purple. We did a medium lavender colored satin for the table cloth with a white organza overlay with silver swirls on it. It turned out beautifully. I wish I could upload some of the photos. The lavender color was carried over to her flowers and bridesmaid dresses. We even did party lite tea lights that become transparent when hot like paraffin. They were a purple hue. I will look on another day for the pictures if you like. Anyway she was so impressed with job I did, even though I was doing it for free, she paid me $700.00. Contact me if you want some ideas or help. (08/28/2009)
If your bridesmaids are okay with purple dresses, purple it is! (08/29/2009)
My husband and I plan on getting remarried on our 25th anniversary (01/26/2012). We live on a small disability check (1500 monthly), and I would like to start getting ideas and planning for it now. I already know who will be the bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girls, and best man. Just would like some ideas on planning a inexpensive wedding. I'm a plus-size woman, so I need an ideas on a dress. I want my colors to be purple and black. Thank you.
ysleta from Fletcher, OK
We just had a party for my parent's 25th. They didn't renew their vows, but it was a wedding like atmosphere. We "borrowed" their original cake top and put it on a round two layer cake we made ourselves. We had things like their photo album to pass around, and pictures of them younger. Their original colors were blue and yellow, and we had white paper table cloths and plates and used yellow plastic ware and napkins. Balloons provided the rest of the color. We also played music from that time too. We had 50-60 people and it didn't cost us much, everyone spent so much time catching up on not seeing each other, the night went so fast.
For your gown, check out resale shops, you could find at least a dress to work from (add ribbon, hem and change sleeves). For flowers, check the local supermarket, their prices are usually really good, and you can do the work yourself making centerpieces and your bouquet.
Keep it simple. (12/16/2007)
By Tracy
I'm plus size too and I went to Dillards after the holidays and bought an evening gown for under $100.00. I bought flowers at the craft store and the boys wore slacks and dress shirts and the girls gowns from same place. We paid for almost all of it. We rented a hall through Goodwill Industries with a sit down dinner for $14.00 per person. We guaranteed 50. I spent my money on my hair and make up, because I wanted to feel special. All in all we spent under $3000.00 and that included my mom's plane ticket, hair, makeup, and dress, so take your time and shop around. Have fun and congrats. (12/20/2007)
By Denise W.
Dee from Morrow, GA
Go forward with this, your siblings will come on board soon enough! I think your idea is just awesome! (09/18/2007)
My daughters, in college, did this. I was in on it to advise them, but it was a surprise for their father. (Thank goodness he looked happy and eager.)
Participants limited to nearby relatives and close friends.
Don't forget a fee for the clergy. Use local clergy.
Had it in our vacation condo two hours from home. It had a lake and golf course view. For edibles, a buffet from the local deli.
I had bought two silver pendant necklaces as mementos for the girls. New silver rings for us. (It was a silver anniversary.)
The girls still wear their necklaces every day. (09/18/2007)
By Carrie
I just read about a 25th party where the bride and groom danced in silver shoes made by a relative. The shoes were purchased at a resale shop (the right sizes of course) and spray painted silver and silver glitter was added before they dried. I understand the pictures of the bride and groom in silver shoes at their Silver Anniversary were great. (09/18/2007)
By Caryn from Illinois
My parent's celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2006. My sister did the major part of the planning (she's marvelous at that kind of thing) and made arrangements to borrow the large barn (really a large finished family room) from a local family friend.
Special touches:
"My-own-opoly" game (google it - about $19.95). The game you buy provides a software package that helps you build a "monopoly" game using your family facts, pictures, homes and locations you are familiar with to build the game board and the cards you draw.
In our case we traveled a lot through out our parent's marriage and used several of our homes for the real estate.
I spoke with my parents on genealogy info leading up to the event to find out more background info and included questions about where they met (then found a picture of the place on the internet and put it in the game), also found pictures of each of their high schools in Texas.
The game included events throughout their 50 years of marriage, careers and from the lives of each of the four children's. Soccer, cheerleading, Air Force career, police officer, carpenter, mechanic, etc. The drawing cards used facts such as births as "good" events to get $$ and bad such as the time the engine on the truck caught fire a month after Mom decided she didn't need insurance on such an old truck!
Another idea to make the day special was to make a charm bracelet for Mom with one or two charms that identify one of the children or your father. For example, as above, a megaphone for the cheerleader; a tape measure for the carpenter, etc.
If I think of any of the other things we did, I'll post them. Good luck. It will be worth it! Renee
(09/18/2007)
By Renee
Make sure your parents want this kind of celebration.
I would not have wanted my kids to do it for us. (09/18/2007)
By Wisgal
A friend from church did our surprise 25th wedding anniversary celebration. She did a "pot luck" meal in the fellowship hall with the church ladies helping. And it was really nice, good meal, with decorations. Then a present table, and table decorated for us like wedding, complete with punch stem goblets. She even made a little "veil" headpiece for me. We had the meal, special music, and a special present time. Then went in the church to renew our vows, with only our pastor and his wife, and our children went in with us. I don't know how we got persuaded to the fellowship hall to begin with in our dress clothes? Our main present I loved, was a card with a certificate for a stay in a bed & breakfast, we had never had a honey moon and really enjoyed the trip. I still remember that special occasion on our 25th anniversary. And today we celebrate our 32nd anniversary.
Glinda & Ron (09/19/2007)
By glinda
I second the opinion of making sure this is something your parents would really like. This is not something I'd want my children to plan for me.
Usually, if this is something they truly wanted they would mention it and plan it for themselves. (09/23/2007)
By Casey
