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Post Info TOPIC: Secret Wedding Vow Renewal


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Secret Wedding Vow Renewal


Hello, I am taking my wife to the SW of Ireland next month for a 5 week 40th anniversary gift.  I intend to surprise her by arranging to have our marriage vows renewed in a Catholic Church while there.  I have purchased two cladagh rings and a cladagh pendant for the occasion.  However, I don't really know how to attend to making it happen.  Has anyone had the experience or know about how I should proceed?  I want this to be the memorable moment of a lifetime.  Thanks.  JohnT



-- Edited by JohnT on Saturday 17th of March 2012 01:49:39 PM

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John,

I don't think Catholics do an actual "vow renewal" since marriage is for life. But I have heard of a reaffirmation ceremony or a blessing ceremony. (Someone tell me if I'm wrong here.) I suppose the thing to do is contact a priest where you want to do it.

I can't think of a more beautiful place to have a ceremony than St. Finbarr's in Gougane Barra. http://www.corkandross.org/parishes.jsp?parishID=66#church3

Michele 

 




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My Wife and I renewed our Wedding Vows for our 40th Anniversary a year ago, we asked our Pastor a few weeks in advance if there would be any issues and he said no (this was in New Jersey USA). The ceremony was very simple, the Priest reads Prayers involving commitment and marriage, and he blesses the couple and sprinkles them with Holy Water. It takes about 10 minutes in total and is commonly performed toward the end of Mass, but can be performed outside of Mass.
I would strongly recommend making contact with the Catholic Church and Pastor that you are interested in having this performed as far in advance as possible as I dont know what the Irish norms are.
We use this site http://www.catholicireland.net/ for finding Mass times in Ireland, the information youre seeking may be found there.


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Mike,

Thanks for that link. I'm sure it will be helpful for JohnT.

Michele

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My husband also planned a vow renewal as a surprise. Our's was held in Galway at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. My daughter emailed the minister there a few months ahead of our trip and all was set. We bought rings  the night before ( that's when I found out and was blown away!) and we bought flowers at the farmer's market in the street outside the church. Another thing my husband did was to get all my friends to write a card for me. It was our 40 Anniversary and everyone knew but me about the renewal. It is something I'll NEVER forget and the memory is so sweet. Good luck in your planning!  Oh, also, my daughter found a marriage certificate online that had shamrocks as a border! The mininster signed it and blessed our rings.

Good luck!

Janie



-- Edited by arkitkat on Monday 16th of April 2012 12:52:09 PM



-- Edited by arkitkat on Monday 16th of April 2012 12:54:19 PM

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Janie, thanks so much for your response. Would you please be able to ask your husband the site where he found the marriage certificate with shamrocks around it and let me know? That would be awesome. The wonderful priest in Irelandl has offered to have a harpist, to invite townsfolk (that we don't even know), and to have a small reception afterwards of punch and sandwiches! When I offered to pay, he wouldn't hear of it (I will certainly pay, plus for the use of the church in any event). The Irish are a kind and caring folk,which endears them to me even more. Thanks for any info you can provide. With Gratitude, JohnT

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Janie,

What a lovely surprise. I'm sure the rings and certificate mean the world to you. Thanks for sharing.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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John,

If the Irish won't let you pay, give a donation to the church. The Irish do like any excuse to party!

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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John,

I checked with my daughter about the certificate. She made it! You can Google "shamrock border" and get several choices. I would be happy to email you a photo of the certificate. The fonts she chose were very pretty.

I forgot to say that after our ceremony, a lady who was in the choir came in and said we needed a song. She sang a beautiful song in Gaelic, in the empty church. It was stunning!

A word of caution though. My husband's friends were all mad at him. They said he set the bar too high! Lol.

Janie






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Thanks, Janie. I would love to know how your daughter designed and created the certificate and the words she used. I am not creative enough to figure it out for myself. Thanks for any hints. JohnT

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Michelle, I intend to donate to the church. Any idea what amount would be appropriate? JohnT

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I suppose it depends on what they do for you. Go with your gut feeling.

Michele

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John, I put the photo of the certificate as my avatar. It's very tiny but it gives you an idea.  The wording is:

This Certificate of Marriage Vow Renewal is presented to (our names) on this 6th day of September, 2008, at the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, In the County of Galway, in the Country of Ireland.   After that there are places for us to sign our names and then below that it reads, Officiated by and a line for the minister, or priest.   Ours was signed by the Very Reverand Patrick L. Towers, the Provost of Tuam. I love it. 

The church secretary bustled around before the ceremony and pulled in some flowers from a wedding the night before. Lol, I was in jeans, but no one batted an eye. This is and will always be one of my most special memories.

My daughter just used whatever print program she had on her computer. You might check with your local print shop and see if they could design one, or if you have a teenager, or younger, lol, they should be able to do it.

Michele might know how to make the photo larger.

 

 

 

 



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To post a picture:

  • Just below the quick reply box click "advanced editor" button
  • A new window opens with many more options. 
  • Below the reply box is a box you must check "Attach File(s)"
  • You are then prompted to find the right file in your computer.
  • Once that is done click "Submit Post" button.

Your picture will be on the post.

Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.



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Thanks Michele!


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Yay! It worked!



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Way to go!

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.



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If you have Microsoft Office- Word then you can get some borders by clicking Clip Art. I have had a quick look and there are no Shamrock borders as such but there is a selection of Celtic borders if there is anything you like?

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All, I am so grateful to each of you for caring enough to share of yourself and provide some great assistance. While in Ireland, I will be thinking of all of you for making this trip one to remember. With Gratitude, JohnT

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Where are you having your occasion and when?

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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour 



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I hope you have a wonderful ceremony and an amazing trip. I can't imagine staying for 5 weeks. We were there for 2 1/2 weeks. It was spectacular from the castles to the people. The people are so sweet and kind.  If you look lost, which we were a lot, someone will stop their car and ask if you need help. Once when this happened, we asked directions.  The man thought for a minute and said, "Just follow me."  He drove us for probably 10 miles then pulled over and came to our car. He told us to just follow the road now and we would find our location. We asked what we owed him and he said, "Aw nothing. Just say a prayer for me."  How wonderful!!! 



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