Renewal Vow Wedding Ceremony with Oriental Trading (Sponsored Post)

Stretch Your Budget Further with Great Deals on Wedding Decorations and Wedding Favors!

Raise your hand if you are happy to see 2014 draw to a close! I was THERE. This has been a tough year for my family. So, I decided to do something about it!

This is a great story about friendship, family and a vow renewal wedding ceremony Bob and I did for our 11^th anniversary. Let’s go back one year:

10^th year wedding anniversary – Bob and I always planned something BIG for our 10^th year wedding anniversary. The reality? I just had our youngest daughter (born September 11^th), the Executive branch was getting furloughed and I was a medical MESS.

So – no party. And, things kept piling up.

Medical issues personally and of friends and family, figuring out how to raise two kids (and a hubby) on one income and work – well, let’s not go there. Then I stopped.

My focus is family first. I wanted to give us and the girls a renewal vow wedding. See, this year was TOUGH. Is still tough. And, may be tough going into next year. I just don’t know what to expect on several issues. But, why do I do everything I do? It all comes back to my husband and I. I became giddy. Should I get remarried to my husband? How fun and funny would that be? We got married in my grandparents’ backyard in Ohio (three generations to do that) and spent less than 500 dollars. My wedding dress wasn’t even a real wedding dress. It was a white cocktail dress with a train. I bought my veil off eBay (which is how we got our rings, too- ha) and I used Oriental Trading for a small reception with only immediate family. It was special. How do I recreate that?

August 1, 2014 – I briefly mention in a FB post Bob and I were considering doing renewal vows in a fun party. It stuck! Why? One word: My cousin Nikki. Now Nikki and I aren’t first cousins. In fact, we once figured out that her husband is my first cousin once removed. Yeah, I don’t get it either. But, we are related! And she was IN! She was like, Have it in our backyard!” I’m like, “OK!” Then it sort of snowballed into…well, reality!

The theme? Well, to be honest, it’s a mix. Think Jimmy Buffett. Cowboy, beach , boho style. It’s a mix of us and of a FUN fall BEACH party. Yeah, I thought it sounded cool, too!

Then, something happened. I started to ask my friends for HELP. My most touching moment? Having my awesome friend, Katy, say she would officiate. I mean, no hesitation on her end whatsoever. She is someone I have known since 2002, so, yeah, COOL. My aunt crocheted shoes, my mom weaved baskets, I found deals and……I had this help:

My Challenge? To decorate the wedding with less than $75.00 by October 11th. This meant Oriental Trading Time!

Fall Wedding Aisle Runner IN-3/2368 $26.50
Fall Wedding Table Runner IN-13606698 $3.50
Fall Wedding Table Runner IN-13606698 $4.00
Fall Leaf Bags IN-25/1311 $2.00
Tie-Dye Printed Paper Lanterns IN-13639072 $6.79
Beach Bum Beverage Napkins IN-13641339 $2.00 x2
Beach Bum Dessert Plates IN-13641333 $2.00 x3
Wedding Cake Bubble Bottles IN-12/1950 $7.25
Celebration Lights Backdrop Banner IN-13614849 $16.00

Now I just need my flower crown, crochet shoes, basket and petals. See, mommy, I’m keeping you on track!!

And yes, for you math whizzes, with Oriental Tradings FREE shipping, all the decorations were LESS than $75.00!

Hair by my good friend YUN! Yup, she wanted me to USE my *shudder* curly hair. Looks cute, though!

We made it fun! We made it colorful! We made it for all our best friends to celebrate a really tough year that Bob and I survived together! It was a blast! Fun bubbled all around the event, even on our evite (because why kill a tree when you are already wasting electricity, am I right?!?):

The Flower Girl, Brooke, (one of THREE) getting her petals together!

Theme: Boho/Cowboy!
I Still Love You

The (cat) threw up.
The kids are ill.
Our bank account
Is almost nil.

The laundry’s
Stacked up in a pile,
And still I know
I have to smile.

Although our life
Might look like blight,
I get to be
With you each night.

It may be tough,
That much is true,
But still I love
My life with you.

Happy (11th) Anniversary!

Come celebrate with a quick and fun vow renewal ceremony and a BIG party with all friends!

Officiant: Katy C.
Best Man: Marcos O.
Maid of Honor: Nikki P.
Photographer: Bob P.
Flower Girls: Simone, Brooke & Brie
Flower Girl Attendant: John P.
DJ Extraordinaire: Albert!
Major Helper and gift giver for guests: Katie!

Cite Poem: Denise Rodgers

October 11, 2014! Renewal Vow Wedding Day!

Pre-wedding Pictures! Photos with Brookester as Yun (my VERY good friend) did our hair. Of course she wanted purple hair. We settled on a purple hair chalk streak. Thanks, Yun!

Revow Ceremony! Pictures by Bob Paxton! Thank you!

Post Wedding Pictures! It was so emotional for me. So many things happened this year and the renewing of our vows was symbolic of that. I cried through tears of joy and emotion. I hope the pictures reflect my joy. Pictures provided by Katy! Thank you!