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Anniversary Party/Vow Renewal
H's parents' 25h anniversary is coming up in March and MIL's SIL (FIL's brother's wife) is planning the big affair with help from me and SIL. At their first wedding MIL was 7 months pregnant with H, and there was a lot of issues with her father. Basically their wedding day was not a very happy one and it was very shotgun, so we really want to make it special.
They will be renewing their vows at the church they were married at and having a reception at a restaurant. While MIL and FIL know about the party and the vow renewal they don't know anything about the details.
What is the etiquette on a vow renewal? It is seeming like this event will be like a wedding... H's aunt thinks me and SIL should stand up with MIL during the ceremony and H and BIL stand up with FIL so basically BMs and GM... there isn't going to be a flower toss or garter toss... MIL will probably wear a white/ivory knee length dress... are these things "allowed?"
I am slightly confused as to what to call this event on the invites... also colors... we are thinking pink and green because they are MIL's favorite... but because it's not a wedding I don't want to go overboard on the colors, plus I am a less is more kind of person...
Here are my thoughts... the guys all wear black suits with white shirt and black tie with pink rose bout... SIL and I wear a black dress with a green ribbon (is a black dress okay for a spring event in May?) SIL and I have pink gerbera daisies and roses in our bouquets as does MIL... tables at reception have white cloths with a green vase having pink various flowers in it... then somehow tie in the green and pink in the invites?
I appreciate any kind of input 
Re: Anniversary Party/Vow Renewal
I think you have the right idea going as far as the decorations and outfits. I have always thought of a vow renewal as a smaller and less fancy wedding. It is still supposed to be wedding like but not near as dressy or expensive.
I think BM's and GM are completely acceptable. I think everything sounds great. Tying in those colors on the invites should be pretty easy they can always be used as ribbons on the top or something. Also I think black dresses in the spring are fine for the occassion and when paired with colorful flowers.
my girls wore black lace dresses in may and had pink and green flowers. So I'm with you on the color scheme.
I've never been to a vow renew so I'm afraid I can't help much, but wanted to say it's awfully sweet of you to be doing this for your in laws. My MIL would prob ask whoever is officiating to bless Mike and I so that we get pregnant.
A vow renewal is usually like a wedding in that there's a ceremony and then a party. The "bride" can wear white, I've seen cake cuttings, etc. I've never seen BM/GM at a vow renewal, but that doesn't mean you can't have them. You're right not to have a flower or garter toss.
I think what you're planning is fine. As far as invite wording you can find a lot of suggestions online. You could say something like "In honor of celebrating 25 years of marriage, please join MIL & FIL as they renew their vows..."
I agree with this. I think what you're planning is fine. My parents renewed their vows a few years ago for their 40th anniversary. It was extremly low key. My dad wore a navy blazer with khaki pants and my mom wore a nice dress. They renewed their vows at a church with just me, my H, my brother, and his wife present. Then we went out for a nice lunch. But, I don't see why you can't throw a larger party. This a major milestone, afterall. But, I would keep it simplified and not too wedding-y (bouquet/garter toss).
This....
Agreed...although I kind of feel like having bridesmaids and groomsmen is a little bit overkill, but having thier kid stand up for them I think is acceptable. The only vow renewal I really know anything about is one of my BFF's (who I was in her wedding) and her Husband were going through a lot of issues (trust issues, they almost seperated....), they really wanted to have one when thier kid was born to kind of reinforce those vows going forward and commiting themselves to the family again, and it was really small, just a few people in the church and she wore a white cocktail dress and got her flowers at the grocery store. Everyone did go out for a large dinner after though. (PS I'm sure if you ask the ladies back over on TK on any of the main boards they will bluntly tell you what is and isnt appropriate.)
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