Wedding vow renewal gift etiquette
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In this day of high divorce rates, some couples are choosing to renew their vows as often as yearly, as a reminder to themselves of the pledge that they have made to one another. While some vow renewals are simple affairs, involving only the couple themselves, others are grand, festive occasions with as many guests as the original wedding. For some guests this brings up some questions, regarding what the proper protocol is when it comes to gifting the couple.
To Gift or Not To Gift?
Just as divorce rates are on the rise, so too is the popularity of the vow renewal ceremony. Typically smaller and less formal than the original wedding, the vow renewal ceremony has different conventions than the original marriage. It is customary for guests to bring gifts to newlyweds, because you are supposed to be helping them to set up their new home together. In a vow renewal, there is no such purpose. Presumably, the couple reaffirming their love already share a home, so they are not in need of another toaster or blender.
Milestone Anniverary Renewals
Milestone anniversaries are popular times for vow renewals.
Most times, a couple chooses to renew their vows on one of the milestone anniversaries. It is not uncommon for a couple to host just such a celebration on their 10th, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary. When a vow renewal occurs on such an auspicious occasion, it is not uncommon for guests to want to bring a token gift to help the happy couple celebrate. Typically these gifts relate back to the traditional designations for the number of years married. As an example, a 25th anniversary is the silver anniversary, so gifts of silver would be in line.
No Gifts Please!
Although vow renewals are becoming increasingly common, they are still fairly new territory for many people, so your guests may be unclear as to what is proper. While it is considered gauche to make any mention of gifts on a wedding invitation, it is perfectly acceptable to include a line asking for no gifts on a wedding vow renewal invite. Including this information is neither impolite nor tacky, it helps the uninitiated guest understand what is expected of her.
Appropriate Gifts
There are exhaustive lists of what to give on each anniversary available.
Some people are of the mindset that they must bring something to any function to which they are invited. Unfortunately for those guests, the couple renewing their vows would not have a registry anywhere, indicating what kinds of gifts they would like to receive, so choosing something appropriate is left up to the guest himself. In situations like this, consulting a guide to the traditional wedding anniversary designations is probably the safest bet.
Minding Your Manners
A proper thank you is warranted any time you are given a gift.
If you have a vow renewal and, despite your best intentions and efforts not to receive gifts, your guests present you with them, proper etiquette dictates that you thank them promptly. A formal thank-you note is definitely in order and should be handwritten. If your vow renewal is a large affair, then follow the standard timeline for wedding thank-you notes, and make sure that you send them out within three months of the affair.
Tags: their vows, divorce rates, gift etiquette, gifts wedding, original weddingSource: www.ehow.com
