renewing wedding vows

[cameroon@xtra.co.nz]

My husband and I celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in May of next year. We are visiting Italy for our anniversary (perhaps a little after in in September) But would like to renew our vows - can anyone help me as to how hard or easy a private ceremony would be to arrange? Perhaps in Tuscany or the Cinque Terre. Thanks
Lisa

[Gala Placidia]

It would help if you indicate whether you want a religious (which confession???) or civil ceremony.... I think....

[cameroon@xtra.co.nz]

Thanks for that, we would not want a religious ceremony - I had imagined something on a beach? a private ceremony to renew our vows. I am not sure how or if it would work.
thanks Lisa

[Gala Placidia]

Lisa, it may be a bit difficult to organise a civil ceremony as I do not think that in Italy there are civil celebrants in the same way we have them in New Zealand or Australia (I'm an Aussie). A civil marriage ceremony is generally performed at the local council by the mayor or one of the councillors, or at a specially designated place for this particular type of events. I have not heard of formal civil wedding anniversary celebrations.
With the church it is easier as they celebrate a special Mass or incorporate a small renewal of wows ceremony in their normal Sunday Mass. This is fairly common particularly for Silver and Golden Wedding Anniversaries.
Just in case, in Italy, the 20th anniversary is the Crystal Wedding Anniversary and the colour used is yellow, particularly for the almond "confetti" and "bomboniere" that you give to your guests as a souvenir of the celebration.
Normally, the way of celebrating an anniversary in Italy is, as I said, the Mass followed by a family banquet. In this case you would try to use yellow as the main colour for decorations, cake, etc.
I guess that you wanted a small, private celebration. Well... find a very romantic venue (there are plenty throughout Italy), exchange your vows without a celebrant and then have a nice meal with "Prosecco".... the rest I leave it up to you....
Good luck!

[Nicola]

Lisa, I've sent you a private message.

Nicola

[cathnmike]

Hi Lisa

We were married last year in Rome. I know one of the options we had was to have the civil ceremony first by ourselves and then 'renew' our vows in a variety of places with guests (including the hot air balloon which used to hover over Rome - sadly they withdrew its licence!). So I imagine it would be possible - how about having a look on the internet?

If Rome were a possibility for you I can certainly point you in a few directions, but I know too little about Tuscany to be much more help - sorry.

Whatever you decide to do I hope it goes well.

Best wishes

Cath.

[Norma]

Dear Lisa, A British friend of mine was married in a civil ceremony in Lucca (an hour from Florence) a few years ago. It was held at the City Hall, where this is done regularly, sometimes even with music. My friend arranged a reception and dinner as well. Lucca is a beautiful medieval walled city - quite popular with photographers, filmmakers, etc. Contact me if you need more information! Ciao, Norma