I want to surprise my husband and set up a renewal of wedding vows while we are in Florence, Italy next spring. The other couple that we are travelling with wish to do the same. Nothing formal, just romantic. Where do I start? We will be staying in the San Marco area.

Are you hoping for some official, religious or civil, to be involved?

no, nothing formal or binding. each couple is of a different faith. just something romantic. it's our 30th wedding anniversaries for each couple

Sounds like you could just plan this on your own. Are you seeking a location? Something with a view? Striking architecture?

Some would suggest viewing the sunset from Piazzale Michelagelo or Fiesole, standing hand in hand and exchanging your sentiments.

Are you sure your husband will appreciate this type of surprise?

was thinking a special gondola ride just before sunset.just not sure whom to contact to set it up... and i surprised him with this for our 25th in scotland. the kids were with us and it was held in a small church in Edinburgh. not a dry eye in the house.

I know this won't help you in Rome, but we are doing the same thing in Paris for our 20th in October, in the American Church In Paris.

While I was researching this, I found that there are a lot of churches that do these ceremonies in the UK. Perhaps you can start by trying to Google American or British churches in Italy.

Best of luck!

You will have to go to Venice for a Gondola ride. I agree with ellenem, sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo would be very romantic.

Tom

Hey, I found an American church in Florence that does these renewal of vows ceremonies:
http://www.dinonet.it/stjames/
There are probably others.

Do you mean Venice, not Florence? There is a San Marco area in both Venice and Florence.

Do a search for Statia's trip to Venice, during which she renewed her weddings vows.

Nukesafe,

We leave for Paris on Thursday, and happen to be meeting dear friends from home there. It is there 20th wedding anniversary and her dh wanted to surprise her with a vow renewal. Unfortuantely the American Church in Paris wanted something close to 1,500.00 or so just for a simple vow renewal so he had to pass due to budget reasons - and like Ellen mentioned it turns out that my friend, his wife, would not appreciate it and mentioned something like "I hope you are not planning any vow renewal crap" UGH. I thought it was horrid as she really is a lovely person (promise!) LOL - but she just did not want to do something like that...

Dawnnoelm,

I am puzzled. I have already paid for my vow renewal ceremony at the American Church in Paris (APC)
http://www.acparis.org/index.html
The total cost was €300. That's about $420, which seems not exorbitant to me. The Church is located on the Seine, 65 Quai d'Orsay.

There is at least one other American church in Paris, The American Cathedral at 23 Avenue George V, so perhaps your friend was talking to the other one. I also contacted them, but they seemed a bit up tight. My conversations with ACP have all been friendly and most helpful.

Best of luck!

Nukesafe - that is reasonable - I actually posted the question a while back about looking for a pastor in Paris to perform the ceremony - and passed along the information.
As it usually happens, it turns out for the best that he was unable to arrange it as my friend was being a wet blanket about it.
Enjoy your renewal!

yes, i meant venice. sorry. i've been doing so much research that it all blends together. Can anyone recommend a renewal consultant? or do you recommend emailing the host at the b & b we will be staying with and asking them about vow renewal...?

here's Statia's report

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34437042

thanks!