My Pending Silver (25th Year) Anniversary Wedding
Although I and my wife are approaching our 24th wedding anniversary in January, we are in the planning stages for our 25th anniversary. It's the silver anniversary and my wife wants a church wedding because our original wedding was a civil union performed by a Justice of the Peace.
Church Wedding?
The reason we have to plan early is because I know it will cost us at least a thousand US dollars. I'll be saving a whole lot of money by having the reception in our housing compound, but I need to use creative ways to keep the cost of the wedding invitations low. Did you know you can save a bundle if you make your own wedding invitations? I didn't even think of it until today.
Having the reception in our compound also solves the problem of getting home in an inebriated condition. Our party will probably start with wedding toasts and then progress to heavy drinking by everyone involved.
My wife is of the Catholic faith. I'm not. I couldn't care less if I was married in a church, in a courthouse, or at the end of a pier. It's not the location or kind of wedding that counts, it's the union itself. It's the tie that binds, hopefully for a lifetime.
Diamond are a Girl's Best Friend and Diamonds are Forever
I don't know why women get so hung up on one of the most expensive stones I know of — the diamond. Like most men, I can think of more than a thousand things I could spend money on besides a rock on a ring. My wife, on the other hand, won't settle for any other kinds of rings that include stones.
Perhaps the slogans for diamonds are well-founded. Diamonds really do last forever, unless you lose them. My wife is living proof that diamonds really are a girl's best friend.
The Silver Wedding Anniversary — 25 Years!
It's hard to imagine living with the same woman for even a year, much less so for 25 years. 25 years from the day we met passed in June of 2008. January of 2010 is the actual 25th anniversary date. We're 25 years older and about 25 pounds heaver (each of us) than we were when we met. 25 seems to be a magic number or something.
I'm not looking forward to receiving very many wedding gifts from anyone locally — they just don't make enough money to do so. If you feel so inclined, I'd be more than happy to accept gifts from you. I'm kidding, of course. The cost of sending anything to the Philippines, making sure it would actually get here, would probably it cost twice as much (or more) as the original price.
Anyway… 25 years is a major accomplishment. It's longer than the 20 years I spent on active duty in the military. It'll be an even bigger accomplishment, in my opinion, to pass the 30 year mark. That would be longer than my active military service and 10 years of reserve military service combined. I hope to make it there, provided I don't get killed or something (possibly by my wife) before I do.
Similar Posts:
Congrats in advance…
Now a days only few couple who are able to reach 2 decades being together. And I am glad you guys did.
My latest blog post: Does Your Breath Smell Like Cancer? 5 Incredible Forms of Early Cancer Detection
Congrats, but if you don't want her to like diamonds, show her this site:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198202/diamond
Diamonds are not girls' best friends
My latest blog post: How to create (nice) charts
I've already explained this to my wife. Her emotions override her intelligence.
Wow! I had no idea about this conspiracy. I'm so glad my wife doesn't like big rings. She gave me a $500 limit for her wedding ring. Needless to say I went over. Way Over! I only got a 30 point diamond which is about 1/3 carat and it ran me $1600.
Thanks for the info,
My latest blog post: Cosmetic Contacts
cool. 25 years is a long time. congratulations.
it appears you did find someone you can spend the rest of your life with. 
My latest blog post: a haiku
Aw, congrats on the upcoming 24th and good luck making plans on the upcoming 25th anniversary. We got married 6 years ago (Oct. 20th) and did a very cheap wedding in Vegas…but it was wonderful. I did my own invitations (well actually announcements), got my dress from the mall and somehow picked out the most wonderful rings – all in one day. Someday we'll renew our vows…but money definitely does not define the sentimental value of something…being with the one you love does!
My latest blog post: Museum Day 2008 – Free Admission
Wow! that is a very long year! I am so very happy for you. Congratulations!
Congratulations. How fun RT. Twenty-five years is indeed a remarkable thing. Have fun planning and executing this gala event. Have a great day.
My latest blog post: Present Whereabouts…
Congratulations RT. We celebrated our 30th this year and we are 30 pounds heavier! Pretty funny, but I believe your right.
Why do my comments always have to be approved by a moderator. I'm not spam – I'm me.
The Akismet spam filter loves you. I always fish them out, but the new ones always go there. So, I'm not really moderating anything.
dang…. you are gonna have to do the marriage dealy all over again? that doesn't sound like too much fun, unless of course, you getta go on another honeymoon
Hehe… I wish.
Congrats..
25 is a long time, hope you have a great honeymoon..
Jen
My latest blog post: Co mam da? moi rodzice i mój narzeczony rodzice do prezentów ?lubnych?
Sounds like a really nice ring! Your wife should be pleased!
Congrats!
It was our 13th anniversary on Oct 7th,and I have known Nicole for 16 years. That is more than a third of my life! We plan on a vow renewal, maybe for the 20th anniversary.
My latest blog post: Homebuilt Wind Power Generators – How Big is Your Battery Bank?
It is really nice ring! Your wife will surely be happy. Congratulations!
hi RT,
Congrats on the upcoming 25th! My wife and I just had our 9th last week (very, very low key, that's part of why I love her) but now I'm thinking about the 10th next year. What did you do or get for your 10th? ~ Steve
I don't remember!
25 is a long time, Congrats! Have a great celebration.
I have been married a whole year on Sept 8, 2008.
It was difficult but worth it by far. I look forward to putting more years behind us.
I'm curious though, how many of those 25 years were you in active duty? I can imagine it would be difficult to keep a relationship going if you're in the military. You are both very strong people if you did.
Thanks,
My latest blog post: Cosmetic Contacts
13 years and 8 months.
Wow! That is truly amazing. I've had friends in the military that put a lot of strain on their relationships because of being away all the time. All of them eventually broke up. It is encouraging to know that you 2 were able to stay together, and it says a lot about the kind of people you are.
My latest blog post: Have You Heard Of Glow In The Dark Contacts?
Congratulations to you both!
At the beginning of your post you spoke of ways to save money on your celebrations, making anniversary invitations is a great start and catering for the party yourselves will save you loads.
Ask if any of your friends are good at baking cakes and see if they will bake yours.
Ask friends and family to take as many pictures as possible and then ask for copies from them, so you can make up your own album rather than paying a photographer.
Do your own party decorations as well, there are some ideas here: http://www.anniversary-gifts-by-year.com/25th-wedding-anniversary-ideas.html
Have a great day
Congratulations! What a beautiful couple you both are… You are a special couple in this universe.. Let God bless you for ever.
Congrats.:)
Wow.. Congratulations on your anniversary!
20 years of service in military is considered great. Well done! I wish you both have a wonderful life ahead.
Congratulations! 25 yrs!! wow
That is beautiful.
Congratulations!
I love hearing people's wedding stories and 25 is definitely a big one!
I came across your site as I have a blog with loads of useful wedding cost saving tips.
There are so many things you can do to reduce the cost of your wedding – check out my blog, as I'm regularly writing about lots of different ways. It's UK focused, but many of the tips and tricks are universal!
My latest blog post: Kids at the Wedding?
Congrats RT.
I've never understood the appeal of diamonds and jewellery… fortunately for me, my wife isn't bothered either. How's the wedding planning going?
It's right on schedule.
Unfortunately my wife has found the appeal of diamonds. I guess unfortunately for me, John, I am in a stuck. Was she always like that or did it occur over time
?
Always like that.
Congratulations…I've been married for over 2 years now and we've been together for almost 6. I can't imagine what it'll be like to have been together for 25 years or more.
Diamonds are Forever, and so are the payments.
That may keep you going for a few more years 
Good luck
just keep it in mind she is worth every cent. Hope you 25 more happy years together. Oh ya, the part you said "I hope to make it there, provided I don't get killed or something (possibly by my wife) before I do." that made me laugh Just Let her know that the 50 year one is bigger and better.
hey…congrats…….for your 25th anniversary.And my gift is God's blessings you both.
wow, great amount of time! today the couple usually don´t last too much .. I wish you best!
My latest blog post: Ventajas Lentillas Graduadas
Congratulations! My hope is becoming older with my first love…Could us??
Congrats RT, that sounds like a great marriage. Weddings are pricey but (as I'm sure you know by now) keeping the Mrs. happy is worth every penny.
diamonds are really expensive….choose wisely live well i say and i find no charm in them
My latest blog post: How To Make Sure All Guests Are Invited
Wow! Congrats..It’s a great blessing for couples nowadays to stay that long. Keep it up and move forward! Hope you both stay together..forever!!
25 years! Congratulations. My wife and I are half way and I hope to make it to 25 years too.
My fiance lives in the Phillipies, in a suburb of Manila. We have been doing voice conferencing and Web cam for a year now. I am planning a fall visit, marriage at the justice of the peace, and then when she comes to the US, we are getting a real ceremony.
Its kinda weird in the Philippines, as opposed to the US because the Catholics are a big part of the Government – Divorce is nearly impossible. In any event, we are not Catholic, so we decided to go this route.
Oh well, ranting a bit – congrats on your 25th!
Congrats, 25 years is a long time to be together, definitely something worth celebrating. Now as far as getting her a diamond though, are there any other gemstones she loves? Or has she made it clear that nothing less than a diamond will do?
My last blog: How Stupid is Carrie Prejean?