Renewal of vows, formal or informal?

First of all, you did have a "real ceremony" when you got married years ago. I find it most improper for people to try to have a "do over" wedding long after the fact with a white dress, etc. I would recommend having something informal instead with just family and close friends, perhaps with dinner at a fine restaurant. Whatever you do, do not plan another wedding. That would be tacky and ludicrous.

I never quite get why people want a wedding re-do. You just can't recapture that moment when you pledge your life to another, and a re-enactment of the "wedding" is just cheesy. That's why most people end up not doing it. Like they say, one wedding per husband.

But your situation sounds like the thing that prompts a vow renewal. These are normally on major anniversaries starting with 5. Would that be an option? You're correct that there's not much of a ceremony, and they're generally not huge events, but it doesn't have to be casual. You could set aside a room at a nice restaurant, for example. And then you'd read the new vows you've written, reflecting renewed commitment or however you'd word it, then you'd eat and celebrate.

Another option is to do this as a destination thing with just the two of you, or with immediate family.

But don't play a bride. You've been married for several years.

Personally...i'm not a fan of wedding "redos". I get if, you know...a parent is on their death bed and won't make it to the ceremony (whether it be because they're not stable enough to be moved or because they just won't live that long), sure...i would be okay with the bride and groom being married by the justice of the peace so the parent could be there and i would okay with attending their wedding for the guests.

But having a quickie wedding just because you're too impatient to wait until after he comes back and then having a whole redo wedding...i wouldn't go for it. I mean, you had a choice here...you chose the quickie wedding...chose to elope. That was your wedding.

If you want to have a semi-formal vow renewal...okay. But don't do the whole wedding thing again. Invite close friends and family (small ceremony) to see the renewal of your vows and then have a little celebration to let everyone connect again.

I get, after all of the hardships with almost divorcing, that you want to start anew...but when ou get down to it...you're still married and you've already had your wedding.

Ultimately you can do what you want, but keep in mind that some people will see a "whole shebang" as a ridiculous wedding do-over.

For me, vow renewals can be formal occassions, but they wouldn't involve the big fluffy white dress, bridesmaids/groomsmen, or much of the fluff of a traditional wedding. You can certainly have a large guestlist of family & friends and have a ceremony in church or another setting to restate your vows similar to a regular wedding ceremony (my Aunt & Uncle did this on their 50th anniversary).

You did have a real ceremony when you got married. It is not appropriate to have a wedding redo as you are already married.

A vow renewal is fine, but it's not the same as a wedding.

You can have a nice formal renewal of vows ceremony where you both write your own vows and share your day with everybody. It's like you're getting re-married anyways. Ultimately you can wear whatever you'd like. But if it were me, I would get a wedding dress that is a little less of a dress than one of those puffy cloud dresses that most brides wear.

Since you never had a real wedding I would go for it and it will give you a fresh start to your new beginning. Contact your local church or chapel to see what there requirements are. Since your already married you will renew your vowels but you don't need to get another marriage license.

It's your renewal so you plan it as your please. White dress and all. It sounds like tons of fun and I'm sure you will have a blast

Best of luck

Since you have only been together 2 years and already on the verge of divorce, I suggest you wait a little bit before spending your life savings on a party.

Good luck

PS/ It is "we eloped", not "we got eloped"; that is not proper grammar.

You can do it however you want. My Godmother had a vow renewal and she wore the white dress and had it in a church the works and it was really nice.

If you are paying for the party you can do what ever you want. I don't know that i'd go the formal wedding dress route but that's up to you. We did formal, nice suit and nice dress but not white wedding gown.