The Golden 50 Year Anniversary Vow Renewal: Daniel & Shirley

Fifty years of marriage is a golden anniversary, and Daniel and Shirley celebrated theirs in golden yellow, on the sand at Kahala with their whole family. Part of our 50 year vow renewals.

Their Story · Sunflowers · The Vows · Leis · Rings · Certificate · Family · Golden Flowers · More Golden Anniversaries · FAQ

Featured couple

Daniel & Shirley’s Golden 50 Year Anniversary Vow Renewal at Kahala

Our second golden anniversary feature is all about yellow. Daniel and Shirley celebrated fifty years of marriage in August 2021 at Waialae Beach Park in Kahala, with their children, grandchildren and friends around them. Golden yellow was everywhere: tall sunflowers on the sand, a walkway of yellow plumeria leading to a flower heart, a yellow plumeria haku crown and bouquet for Shirley, and yellow plumeria leis for the couple and their two children, plus a dozen more leis for family and friends. Our minister Paul guided the ceremony, the conch shell was blown, they poured a sand ceremony, signed a decorative vow renewal certificate, and then the music played and the photos went on until sunset.

The coupleDaniel & Shirley
Celebrating50 years of marriage
WhenAugust 2021, at sunset
WhereWaialae Beach Park, Kahala
ColorsGolden yellow and white
TraditionsLeis, conch shell, sand ceremony, certificate

Watch Daniel & Shirley’s 50 year anniversary vow renewal

Golden yellow

Sunflowers & a Yellow Plumeria Walkway

Tall sunflower stands framed the ceremony on the sand, with a walkway of yellow plumeria petals leading to a flower heart by the water.

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

Sunflower stands framing the beach ceremony spot as guests arrive

Tall sunflowers and yellow plumeria petals on the sand by the sea

Close up of bright yellow sunflowers above the plumeria walkway

Sunflower stands and a petal walkway in front of the ocean

Yellow flowers in the foreground as the couple stands at the water

A tropical leaf and yellow flowers framing the ceremony on the sand

A big sunflower arrangement with the couple and guests behind

A sunflower stand against the blue sky and sea

A palm tree against the blue Hawaiian sky at Kahala

A turquoise wrapped pedestal with purple orchids on the beach

The yellow plumeria walkway on the sand leading to the couple

A yellow plumeria heart on the sand with the couple behind

Sunflower stands and the yellow flower walkway with family gathered

Family gathered beside the sunflowers and petal walkway

Guests standing by the sunflowers on the beach

Daniel and Shirley between the two sunflower stands

The couple between the sunflowers with the ocean behind

Sunflowers framing the couple and the ceremony on the sand

The turquoise pedestal and yellow petals on the sand

Sunflowers in front as the couple stands by the sea

The pedestal and flower walkway at the water's edge

Sunflower stands and the yellow walkway with guests on the beach

Guests by the sunflowers waiting for the ceremony

Daniel and Shirley between the sunflowers at the end of the day

Arriving

Arriving at Kahala

Daniel and Shirley strolled to the beach under the trees and colorful umbrellas, Shirley in her yellow plumeria haku, with the family following along.

Daniel waiting on the beach by the yellow plumeria petals

Family in yellow walking onto the beach past a sunflower

Daniel and Shirley walking to the beach under colorful umbrellas

Arriving at the beach with umbrellas for shade

Daniel and Shirley walking toward the ceremony spot with family

Shirley in her yellow plumeria haku arriving on the sand

Our minister Paul greeting Daniel and Shirley on the sand

Daniel and Shirley strolling on the path under the trees

The vows

Fifty Years, Hand in Hand

By the turquoise water they held hands, laughed, hugged and said their vows again, fifty years after the first time.

Daniel and Shirley facing each other by the ocean

Holding hands as the ceremony begins by the sea

The ceremony on the sand with family watching

Shirley in her plumeria haku smiling at Daniel

The ceremony on the beach by the flower heart

Daniel and Shirley sharing a laugh during the vows

Black and white photo of the couple with family by the sea

Close up of their hands joined during the vows

Facing each other by the turquoise water

Daniel and Shirley in a warm embrace by the sea

Daniel holding Shirley close by the ocean

A kiss in their yellow leis and Shirley's white plumeria bouquet

The couple with the minister by the water

Shirley laughing with Daniel at the ceremony

Standing together by the sea with their family

The ceremony on the sand with the ocean behind

Daniel and Shirley walking hand in hand on the sand

The couple under the palm trees at Kahala

Daniel and Shirley close together at sunset

Hand in hand by the flower walkway in the evening light

Daniel and Shirley on the beach as the sun goes down

Aloha

Leis for the Whole Family

Daniel placed a yellow plumeria lei on Shirley, and then the leis went around: yellow and purple orchid leis for the children, grandchildren and friends, with plenty of hugs.

Daniel placing a yellow plumeria lei on Shirley

Shirley hugging a family member in a purple lei

Daniel with a family member in yellow and their leis

Giving leis to family members on the beach

Shirley in her yellow plumeria lei and haku

Rings

Rings & a Golden 50

They exchanged rings once more and held up a golden 50, surrounded by yellow plumerias.

Their rings with a golden 50 and yellow plumerias

Holding the golden 50 with their rings and leis

Daniel and Shirley holding a golden 50 topper

Keepsake

Signing the Vow Renewal Certificate

On a little table on the beach they signed their decorative vow renewal certificate, then proudly held it up for the family.

Daniel and Shirley at the certificate table

Close up of signing the vow renewal certificate

Signing the certificate with family watching

Holding up the decorative vow renewal certificate

Celebrating

A Golden Toast & Sweet Moments

Then came a golden toast, cheek to cheek smiles, and quiet moments together in their leis.

Daniel and Shirley smiling cheek to cheek in leis

A toast with golden drinks after 50 years

Shirley in her plumeria haku with Daniel

Daniel and Shirley with family under the trees

Shirley holding her yellow and white bouquet

Family

The Whole Family at the Flower Heart

Before the sun went down, everyone gathered around the yellow flower heart for family photos by the ocean.

Daniel and Shirley with family in yellow

Family in a circle around the flower heart

Black and white photo of the whole group

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. Like Daniel and Shirley, you can use yellow plumeria on the sand pathway, in your bouquet, leis and haku crown, and yellow hibiscus, the state flower of Hawaii, with sunflowers for extra sunshine.

See more: plumeria · hibiscus · bouquets · haku leis · sand ceremonies · flower hearts

More couples

More Golden Anniversaries

See Rose and Carl’s golden anniversary, with three generations in lavender and the golden harp, and all of our 50 year vow renewals.

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 golden yellow Daniel and Shirley'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.

The Golden 50 Year Anniversary Vow Renewal