- photo credit: Gregory Bastien via photopin cc
You’ve made it through 25 years together–ups, downs, kids, careers, moves, vacations….the list goes on! It’s well worth marking this special “silver” event with a vow renewal, but if you aren’t sure where to start, check out a few ideas for making this significant event one you’ll treasure always:
Gift Ideas
Anything silver–silver photo frames featuring favorite pictures, silver keyring, silver paperweight, silver jewelry….
Color Scheme
Be sure to utilize silver in the color scheme for a 25th anniversary reception or vow renewal. Personalize it with a complementing color, such as one that holds special value to you or reminds you both of a special occasion.
Reception Decorations
Reception decoration ideas include decorating with a silver and blue (or other favorite) color scheme. Use strings of lights and candles for night celebrations, and sprinkle silver glitter, confetti and tiny white hearts on the tables. Silver candles in white candelabras or white candles in silver candelabras also work, as do large bouquets of silver balloons– fill the ceiling if you want! Cut costs by placing single stem white roses in silver bud vases on the tables.
Cake Table
Definitely order a two-tiered wedding cake featuring either a wedding or 25th topper. Decorate the cake table with a translucent silver cloth over a white table cloth. You could also place an original invitation or other saved mementos on this table.
Buffet Table
Silver or white table cloths work for buffet table. Create a centerpiece with a bouquet of 25 roses in a silver vase, and accent the rest of table with white candles under clear globes. Position a few white silk flowers at the bases of the globes, and arrange finger foods on silver trays featuring white paper doilies.
Linens/Paper Goods for the Tables
Use silver and white on the tables–try covering round tables with silver table cloths and use silver plastic ware. Lovely 25th anniversary white napkins in the plate also work, and you can sprinkle tables with 25th anniversary confetti pieces.
Pictures
Show DVD of portions of your original wedding if desired, and place original wedding pictures in black frames on each of the tables for guests to enjoy.
Renewal Ceremony
A vow renewal can make a 25th anniversary celebration even more special than it already is. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate ceremony, rather make it a simple exchanging of vows before close family and friends. Include children and immediate family members in the ceremony if you wish, and exchange “eternity rings” to commemorate the occasion, though rings are totally optional. If you have children, they can perform a special reading or recite a poem.
Music
Hire a DJ if you want, or simply make your own playlist and use an iPod! A band is another option.
Husband Sample Vow Renewal
(Wife’s Name), twenty-five years ago, I pledged my loyalty to you, and promised to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, in sickness and in health. I also pledged that, forsaking all others, I would keep myself only unto you, so long as we both shall live. During these twenty-five years, I have been faithful to those pledges. Now, as we begin of our twenty-fifth year together, it is with deepest joy that I renew my vows to you. So today, in the presence of our family and friends who have gathered for this happy occasion, I vow to you to continue to be to you a loving and faithful husband. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my most tender care. I renew these vows to you today (Date) and pledge myself to continue my devotion to you as long as we both shall live.
Wife Sample Vow Renewal
(Husband’s Name), twenty-five years ago I pledged my loyalty to you. I promised to love you, care for you, and honor you. Throughout the remainder of our lives, no matter what may be ahead of us, I renew my vows to you today (Date). I pledge to continue my devotion to you as an obedient and faithful wife as long as we both shall live.
Remember to have fun planning this very special event! If doing a vow renewal, there’s no pressure, so do whatever you want!
