What are nuptial vows?

For those of you who have renewed your wedding vows, what kind of ceremony/party did you have? details?

• I've never been to a renewal ceremony so I was just wondering, how it plays out. like, did you buy another dress or wear your original one, send out invitations, get a pastor, have food and dancing? I know you don't have a whole bridal party stand up with you again, but did you walk in by yourself (the bride) to meet your groom or was it more casual? I know you can do it however you want, but I'm looking for ideas from those of you who have renewed your vows and had a good time with it. My husband and I want to renew ours on our 10th anniversary, because we got married young and didn't get to have total control of our wedding/reception, etc. And we want to write our own vows this time and show our love for each other is still there. no rough patch, just the occasional bickering, like most married couples, lol. But also, we are picking out different wedding rings, because we want something more customized to go with our vows. Also, did you do another bouqet toss or garter toss? We never did the garter toss at our wedding because I was younger, as well as didn't have any music or dancing like I had wanted. And this time, we want to be able to have drinks too. And having alcohol at a church just is bad taste, so where else could be have a ceremony? I'm thinking May, since that's when we got married, but it also depends on when I get authorized leave from the military.....any ideas or suggestions? Also, if you have any unique or creative ideas to make it more memorable, that would be great! and, we also didnt even get a piece of our own wedding cake! the first bite, yes, but we went back 10 min later for a piece after talking with guests, and it was all gone! a 3-tiered cake!

• Answer:

  My parents renewed their vows on their 25th, and it was so beautiful! We all were more or less casual (my dad wore a polo and nice pants, my mom wore a pretty shirt and capris). The ceremony was at dawn in the gazebo where they actually took their wedding portraits 25 years prior. The only people in attendance were the two of them, the pastor, my sister and I, and my parents' three best friends (as well as a friend of mine whom they hired to videotape the ceremony). Instead of formal flowers, my mom had my sister and I and herself all wear wrist corsages of our own design. My sister sang their original wedding song, and I read a poem I wrote for them. They redid their same vows. It was so incredibly touching. Afterwards we all went out to breakfast, and later that evening we had a "reception" by going to a nice dinner at their favorite restaurant, and coming home and having cake!