In an extraordinary display of commitment, a couple has turned a light-hearted joke into a cherished tradition by renewing their wedding vows every five years for nearly three decades. Frantzcie and Fednel, now aged 52 and 56 respectively, have celebrated six weddings since their original ceremony in 1999, with each renewal marked by a new dress for Frantzcie and a fresh ring, costing approximately £3,660 per event.
The Origins of a Unique Tradition
The tradition began when Fednel, a radiation therapist, frequently told his wife he would marry her again on special occasions. "One time she said, 'What's stopping you?'" Fednel recalls. "I said it as a joke, suggesting every five years instead of annually, but wifey took it seriously. That's how it started."
The couple first met in 1996 through Fednel's band, The Christian Brothers, which included Frantzcie's brothers. Both had moved to New York from Haiti as teenagers, though they were unacquainted initially. Frantzcie, then in her twenties, caught Fednel's eye when she began spending time with the band, leading to their first date and eventual marriage three years later.
Milestone Celebrations Across the Globe
Their renewal journey commenced in 2004 during a trip to the Poconos, Pennsylvania, for their fifth anniversary. Unlike traditional weddings, these intimate ceremonies involve only their two children, Mandy (now 25) and Carlton (now 23), and occur during summer vacations. "Our weddings happen on our summer vacation with the four of us," Fednel explains.
Over the years, the celebrations have spanned various locations, each with its own significance:
- 1999: Initial wedding in New York
- 2004: 5th anniversary in Poconos, Pennsylvania
- 2009: 10th anniversary at a manor on Long Island, New York
- 2014: 15th anniversary on Long Island, New York
- 2019: 20th anniversary in Negril, Jamaica
- 2024: 25th anniversary in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Special Moments and Evolving Traditions
For their 10th anniversary, the family conducted a photoshoot at a Long Island manor, all wearing matching purple outfits. By the 15th anniversary, they recreated the shoot in pink. The 20th anniversary marked a shift, with Frantzcie purchasing a new white dress and hiring a pastor to officiate in Jamaica. "Wearing white again felt surreal," Frantzcie shares. "Watching my husband's expression as I walked towards him seemed like the very first time."
Fednel echoes this sentiment: "When my wife was walking towards me, it was amazing." The experience was so profound that they repeated the white wedding theme for their 25th anniversary in Cancun, with Fednel gifting another ring, and they are already planning their 30th celebration.
Keeping the Spark Alive Beyond the Ceremonies
Beyond the quinquennial weddings, the couple emphasises maintaining their connection through simple gestures. "We always make sure to create 'us time' and don't take each other for granted," Frantzcie, a nurse, notes. "We continue to date each other on no special occasion—it can be just watching a movie with popcorn and ice cream, or some good ginger tea."
She adds, "I open my heart and give freely the very best of me, and I gratefully, appreciatively, respectfully, and humbly receive his love. And he does the same."
Inspiring the Next Generation
Their daughter Mandy finds her parents' relationship inspiring, shaping her own views on love. "A lot of people these days just want something casual, but I've always wanted what my parents have," Mandy says. "They still call it a date even if they're just watching TV, and they're so supportive of each other."
Mandy's high standards, influenced by her parents, led her to ask her current partner about adopting the five-year tradition. He responded, "Do we have to wait every five? Why not every three?"
The Secret to a Lasting Marriage
Fednel attributes their successful marriage to fundamentals rather than lavish celebrations. "The secret is mutual respect and being best friends," he smiles. "I make it my business to make her happy by doing things she likes, and I get the same in return."
This heartwarming tradition showcases how creativity and commitment can transform a marriage into an ongoing celebration of love, offering a refreshing perspective on long-term relationships in today's fast-paced world.
