50 Year Vow Renewal in Hawaii: Golden Anniversary on Oahu

Fifty years of marriage is a golden anniversary, and there is no more beautiful place to celebrate it than on the sand in Hawaii, with the ocean behind you and your whole family around you. Aloha Island Weddings has helped several couples renew their vows after 50 years. Here are two of our favorite golden anniversaries.

Rose & Carl · The Vows · Blessing, Rings & Leis · The Golden Harp · Family · Romance · Golden Flowers · Daniel & Shirley · More Golden Anniversaries · FAQ

Featured couple

Rose & Carl’s 50 Year Vow Renewal

Rose and Carl were married fifty years ago, young and full of plans, with no idea how big their family would one day grow. For their golden anniversary, their children planned a surprise: bring everyone to Oahu and let Mom and Dad say “I do” all over again. Children, grandchildren and cousins flew in, and the whole family dressed in soft lavender to match. On the morning of the ceremony a white arch was set on the sand, draped in white chiffon and crowned with white, blue and golden yellow flowers, with a pink and white petal aisle leading to the sea. Rose in a champagne lace gown and Carl in his leis walked down the aisle together, and fifty years later they made the same promise again.

Rose and Carl holding hands under the white and blue flower arch by the ocean

The whole family in lavender with the couple in front of the arch

Fifty years later, the same promise, with the whole family in lavender.

The setup

A White Flower Arch by the Sea

White chairs on the sand, a pink and white petal aisle, tall white floral stands and a white arch dressed in white, blue and yellow flowers, with a bouquet and two pink drinks waiting on a wooden table for the toast.

White chairs and a pink and white petal aisle leading to a flower arch on the beach

Pink and white floral stand beside the aisle with the arch and ocean behind

A white and pink bouquet beside two pink drinks on a wooden table

A tall white floral arrangement at the end of the aisle as the couple stands at the arch

The couple walking up the pink and white petal aisle

Here comes the bride

Walking Down the Aisle Again

With the palm trees swaying and the family on both sides, Rose and Carl walked the petal aisle together, arm in arm, the way they have walked through fifty years.

Walking down the aisle together with palm trees and guests on both sides

The couple walking arm in arm toward the arch

Guests in lavender watching as the couple reaches the arch

The wife arriving at the aisle beside a pink and white flower stand

The couple at the flower arch with family seated by the ocean

The vows

Vows Under the Flower Arch

Under the arch, with the ocean behind them, they held hands and listened as the officiant spoke about fifty years of patience, laughter and love, and then they said their vows again.

Wide view of the ceremony with the family in lavender and the ocean behind

Saying their vows under a white draped arch with yellow and white flowers

Holding hands under the arch with the officiant beside them

The officiant speaking to the couple under the arch

Family gathered around the arch during the ceremony

Guests in lavender watching the vows from the aisle

Hawaiian traditions

A Hawaiian Blessing, Rings & Leis

A kahu in a golden yellow kihei gave a Hawaiian blessing with a ti leaf, the rings were blessed and placed on their fingers once more, and Rose and Carl exchanged fragrant plumeria leis, a symbol of love and aloha that has no beginning and no end.

The kahu in a yellow kihei giving a Hawaiian blessing

Close up of the husband placing the ring on his wife's finger

The ring placed again after 50 years, and the lei exchange.

The Hawaiian blessing under the flower arch by the sea

The officiant reading a blessing for the couple

The couple receiving a blessing with a ti leaf

The lei exchange with the family watching

Smiling with joy after renewing their vows

Close up of the couple in their leis with the ring box

Smiling at each other in their plumeria leis

Hands held together during the final blessing

Music

The Golden Harp

For a golden anniversary, the golden harp. Its soft music floated over the sand during the ceremony, and afterwards Rose and Carl shared a slow dance beside it, while a little granddaughter in a flower crown stood close to listen.

A granddaughter in a flower crown beside the golden harp

The harpist playing as the couple stands together

The golden harp with white orchids in the foreground

Cheers

A Toast to 50 Years

Then came the toast: two pink drinks raised high under the arch, to fifty years together and many more to come.

Raising a toast with pink drinks under the arch

Family

Three Generations on the Sand

The best part of a 50 year vow renewal is the family it created. Children, grandchildren and cousins crowded around for photos, took a family selfie on the beach, and showered Rose with kisses.

Family photo by the ocean under the arch

Two family members kissing her cheeks as she holds her bouquet

Grandchildren and family celebrating with the couple

The family arriving on the beach in aloha shirts and dresses

A family member in yellow celebrating with the couple

Cheek to cheek with a smiling family member

Just the two of us

Romance by the Sea

Afterwards the two of them slipped away for a few quiet photos: walking hand in hand toward the sea, her gown in the ocean breeze, and a kiss by the arch that looked just like the first one.

Walking hand in hand toward the sea through the white curtains

Her gown blowing in the ocean breeze as they hold hands

The couple framed by white curtains with the ocean behind

Portrait in their leis under the palm trees

Close up of the couple in leis and her flower crown

Photo tour

In the Park & on the Shore

The day ended with a photo tour: walking on the grass under the trees, a jump for joy, and a stroll along the shore, cheek to cheek, after fifty golden years.

Walking together on the grass under the trees

Portrait in the park with her white bouquet

Portrait at the flower arch with the ocean behind

A granddaughter in lavender with the couple in the park

Her white bouquet and lace gown up close

Together after 50 years, with her bouquet and their leis

Featured couple

Daniel & Shirley’s 50 Year Vow Renewal at Kahala

Our second golden anniversary is all about yellow: Daniel and Shirley celebrated fifty years at Waialae Beach Park in Kahala with sunflowers, a yellow plumeria walkway and flower heart, yellow leis for the whole family, a sand ceremony and their vow renewal certificate, with photos until sunset.

Two tall sunflower arrangements on the sand with yellow plumeria petals and the ocean behind

Daniel and Shirley in a warm embrace by the sea

Their rings with a golden 50 and yellow plumerias

A toast with golden drinks after 50 years

See Daniel & Shirley’s whole golden anniversary

Ideas

Golden Yellow Flowers for Your 50 Year Vow Renewal

Golden yellow is the color of a 50th anniversary, and Hawaii is full of local golden flowers. Here are some we can use for your vow renewal, on the sand pathway and in your bouquet: fragrant yellow plumeria for the aisle, leis and haku flower crowns, and yellow hibiscus, the state flower of Hawaii, for the arch and the bouquet. Pair them with white orchids and green ti leaves, add the golden harp, and plan your ceremony for sunset, when the whole sky turns gold.

See more: plumeria · hibiscus · bouquets · haku leis · the golden harp · sunset ceremonies

More couples

More Golden Anniversaries We Have Celebrated

Rose and Carl and Daniel and Shirley are our featured couples, and we have celebrated several more golden anniversaries on Oahu. More photo stories are coming soon.

Noi & Hal

Noi and Hal, who live in Honolulu, celebrated their golden year with a photo and video shoot. Their rule for a happy marriage: each partner gives not just 50%, but at least 60%.

Golden Year: a 50 year vow renewal in Hawaii

See all of our vow renewals, from 5 to 50 years.

50 Year Vow Renewal Questions

Do we need a marriage license to renew our vows in Hawaii?

No. A vow renewal is a ceremony to celebrate your marriage, not a new legal marriage, so you do not need a marriage license.

Can our children and grandchildren be part of the ceremony?

Yes, and they are often the heart of it. They can walk you down the aisle, give you your leis, read a few words, join a sand ceremony with a color for each family, or be the flower girls and ring bearers.

What is the best time of day for a 50 year vow renewal?

Morning and sunset are the most comfortable, with cooler air and soft light for photos. A sunset ceremony also fills the sky with gold, perfect for a golden anniversary.

Is a beach ceremony comfortable for older guests?

It can be. We like a spot close to parking, chairs for everyone, and shade nearby, and we suggest comfortable sandals. Ask us about setups that make it easy for grandparents and guests who need a little help.

What should we wear?

Anything you feel wonderful in: a white or champagne dress or a muumuu for her, and an aloha shirt or linen for him. Many families pick one color to match, like the soft lavender Rose and Carl's family wore.

What Hawaiian traditions can we add?

A Hawaiian blessing from a kahu, a lei exchange, the blowing of the conch shell, a sand ceremony, a hula dancer, or music from the golden harp or a ukulele.

Can we write our own vows?

Yes. Many couples share what kept them together for 50 years, a funny story, or the promise they would make all over again.

What flowers fit a golden anniversary?

Golden yellow flowers like yellow plumeria and yellow hibiscus, Hawaii's state flower, look beautiful on the sand pathway, the arch and in your bouquet, paired with white orchids and green ti leaves.

How far ahead should we plan?

For a big family celebration, start a few months ahead so everyone can plan their travel. Contact us with your date and we will help with the rest.

50 Year Vow Renewals