Is It Your 25th Wedding Anniversary? Renew Your Vows!

25th Anniversary Vow Renewal Ideas Congratulations on making it through 25 years together loving and laughing through all the ups, downs, kids, careers, moves, vacations, and general craziness that life […]

8.2 min readCategories: 25th Anniversary, Planning

A quick overview of the topics covered in this article.

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25th Anniversary Vow Renewal Ideas

Congratulations on making it through 25 years together loving and laughing through all the ups, downs, kids, careers, moves, vacations, and general craziness that life has presented you with. A quarter-century together certainly deserves celebrating! It’s a fantastic idea to mark this special “silver” event with a vow renewal. No sure where to start? We have plenty of brilliant ideas to get you on the right path to planning the ultimate event that celebrates all you’ve accomplished together and how much you still love and cherish each other. Check out a few ideas for making this special anniversary one you’ll treasure forever:

Getting Started

Color Scheme
It’s your silver anniversary, after all, so be sure to utilize silver in the color scheme for your vow renewal. Complement the silver with a second color that holds special significance to you or reminds you both of a special occasion. Silver looks beautiful with pink, yellow or lavender in the spring, baby blue or Tiffany blue in the summer, eggplant or gold in the fall, and teal, navy and red in the winter.

Venue
You can hold your ceremony and reception anywhere your heart desires. IF you’re planning a small celebration, your home might be the perfect venue. Planning a larger celebration, but want to save money? Opt for the ceremony and reception in the same room or hall if desired. If money is no issue, plan to have the ceremony and reception in different locations. Feel like getting away from it all? A destination vow renewal might be the perfect option for you.

Invitations
Planning a purely civil ceremony? Request the “pleasure” of everyone’s company when sending invitations. Having it at your house or worship? Use the word “honor,” since it will be a religious ceremony. Be sure to request everyone RSVP!

Photographer/Videographer
Photos are essential for any big celebration! Hire the best photographer you can afford to capture your big day. Working on a tight budget? Ask a family member or friend with photography skills to help you capture the day. A videographer is optional, but in today’s video focused world, hire one if you can afford it. It will make a wonderful memento for future generations.

Tux and Gown
There are no rules about what color you should wear, so why not take the opportunity to pick from any number of dress styles and colors. Find something that makes you feel wonderful and beautiful! While you aren’t a bride anymore, you can still wear white if you like. (Go ahead and get that amazing dress at the bridal shop if you like.)

Your husband can wear a tux or a nice suit. Treat him and get something new if he opts for a suit – perhaps something tailored!

Flowers
Flowers bring a certain lushness to any event. Feel free to carry a bouquet if you like. A beautifully simple white or red one may be perfect. Order a matching boutonniere for your husband. If you are having others stand up with you, they should have bouquets and boutonnieres as well. Hate flowers? There are lots of other fun options like crystals, feathers, brooches, and paper that can be turned into wonderful bouquets and boutonnieres.

Gift Ideas
It’s wonderful to give each other a gift for your anniversary. Traditional gifts include anything silver. Perhaps your spouse would like a silver photo frame with a favorite picture, silver key ring, silver paperweight, or silver jewelry.

Renewal Ceremony

The ceremony is truly the most special part of a vow renewal. Exchanging vows with each other can make a 25th-anniversary celebration even more special than it already is. Your ceremony doesn’t need to be elaborate; it can be as simple as exchanging of vows before close family and friends. You can also make the ceremony a family affair by including children and immediate family members in the ceremony if you wish to perform a special reading or recite a poem.

Rings
Exchanging rings for your vow renewal is completely optional. A 25th anniversary is a perfect time to upgrade your diamond or get a new ring, though. Jewelry stores offer “marry me again” and “eternity rings” to commemorate the occasion. You might also opt to add a third anniversary band to your original set.

“Walk Down the Aisle” Song
“Here Comes the Bride” probably isn’t quite right for this occasion, but there are plenty of other romantic tunes are available to choose from. Perhaps you have a favorite song or instrumental piece? Check out our Music & Dancing section for music ideas.

Vows
Rather than simply repeat the same vows you made when you were married, incorporate some aspects of your current life together and what you look forward to in the future as a couple. When writing or selecting vows, put your focus on one or more aspects of your life together like dreams and goals, defining moments, changes, and promises for the future.

Be sure to check out our Free Guide: Selecting Your Vows – After Many Years Together

Reception

There’s nothing quite like celebrating with family and friends at a great reception. Your reception can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Some couples will find that cake and coffee after the ceremony at the church is just perfect for them. Others will opt for cocktails and appetizers under the stars on the patio. And yet others will have a big party with dinner and dancing. It’s up to you to decide which is the perfect fit for your celebration.

Cocktails
The decision on whether or not you want to serve alcohol at your reception is entirely yours. Do what feels right for the two of you. You can go all out with an open bar, serve only signature cocktails, or opt for wine and beer only. Whatever you decide on, guests will be delighted. Be sure to compliment your alcohol options with a punch, tea, and coffee to give guests plenty of options.

Food
Vow renewals are typically less formal celebrations, so you don’t need to do a several course, sit-down dinner unless that’s what you’ve been dreaming of. A buffet is another great option if you want to serve dinner that offers guest plenty of choices. You can also have only cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for food. Not interested in serving a hot food? How about something fun like a cupcake bar where guests can choose the icing and decorations for their own cupcakes. You can also good with cold selections like platters of crudites like vegetables and dip, crackers and hummus, and fruit with dip placed around the room so guests can mingle while they eat. None of these resonating with you? Skip the food altogether and serve only cake.

Cake
For a 25th anniversary, a two-tiered cake featuring either a wedding or 25th topper is a great option. You could also order a replica of your original cake or go for something completely different. Sheet cake and cupcakes are also great options. Not a fan of cake? A selection of pies or ice creams are also wonderful dessert options.

Tip: Whether you want to cut the cake together is up to you. It’s not necessary, but it is a wonderfully symbolic act that shows your unity.

Dancing
Depending on your guest list, dancing may or may not be a “necessary” part of your vow renewal reception. If your friends and family are the dancing types, consider whether your budget allows for a DJ or live band. If not, make your own playlist and rent sound equipment that will work with an iPod or laptop.

Looking for inspiration on what to include in your playlist? Check out our song ideas to create the perfect atmosphere.

Reception Decorations

Carry your color scheme throughout your reception space with linens, flowers, and lighting. Here are some simple decorating ideas to inspire you:

  • Use strings of lights and candles for night celebrations, and sprinkle silver glitter, confetti and tiny white hearts on the tables.
  • Place silver candles in white candelabras or white candles in silver candelabras.
  • Make a large space feel more intimate with large bouquets of silver balloons. You can even fill the ceiling with them if you like.
  • Place a single white rose in a silver bud vase on the tables for centerpieces.
  • Framed photos from different stages of your life together also make great centerpieces and provide a conversation starter for guests.
  • Use silver and white linens on the tables. Round tables look lovely with silver tablecloths and silver dinnerware. You can also place a 25th-anniversary white napkins on the plate.
  • Decorate the buffet table with silver or white table cloths as well. Create a centerpiece with a large bouquet of roses in a silver vase. Decorate the rest of table with white candles under clear globes accented by a few white silk flowers at the bases of the globes. Serve foods on silver trays and warmers.
  • Make your cake a focal point of your reception by decorating the cake table with a translucent silver cloth over a white table cloth. You can also place an original invitation or other saved mementos from your wedding on this table.

Remember, these are only suggestions! A vow renewal is all about the two of you, so feel free to do whatever makes you both happy. Remember to have fun planning this very special event and don’t stress over the details. The only people who know what is missing or if things didn’t go as planned are the two of you usually. Keep your focus on the reason for the celebration, and everything will come together!

Have questions? Let us know in the comments. We’d also love to hear all about your plans for your 25th-anniversary vow renewal!

5 Comments

  1. Linda Magill March 19, 2018 at 6:41 pm - Reply

    May 25th 2019 we will be renewing our vows, planning for the same place we were originally married, colors are purple, silver and Caribbean blue, My daughter who was the original flower girl will now walk me down the isle(both sets of parents have passed) We will have a family picture from the wedding sitting on a table . Her daughter will be the flower girl. The Best man not sure if he wants one. The ring bearer will be one of my young grandsons.

    I do have a question? what is the best way to ask for money for a second honeymoon, I have created an event on Facebook(the family all does FB) just not sure how to word the request.

    • Karie July 31, 2018 at 11:12 am - Reply

      Since gifts are not traditionally given for a vow renewal, unless it’s a milestone anniversary, there isn’t a proper way to make your request. Some couples do choose to set up a “go fund me” type of account that they then share on Facebook and make their requests known for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc.

  2. Tammy L Freeman June 27, 2018 at 7:36 pm - Reply

    We been married for 25 years we want to redo our wedding.

  3. Teresa Cruz December 14, 2018 at 7:12 am - Reply

    Hi. We are renewing our wedding vows for our 25th anniversary with a mass in the church just like a wedding. My question is: do we march together as a couple or does my husband wait for me at the altar?
    Thank you

    • Karie January 13, 2019 at 3:30 pm - Reply

      You will want to check with your church coordinator about their specific rules for the vow renewal processional. Typically, it is up to the couple to decide if they prefer to walk together or not. Some couples find that walking together is especially lovely as representative of their intentions for their vow renewal. Others, who missed out on the special moment of seeing one another the first time, opt to have the wife walk down the aisle alone or with another escort. Since no one is “giving you away,” your escort can be anyone of your choosing.

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