A vow renewal ceremony can take place any time after your wedding. Many people prefer to celebrate their commitment, upon reaching a milestone such as their 25th wedding anniversary however you are not constrained by this and can chose to have one whenever you want.
Having a vow renewal ceremony is also a brilliant opportunity for your children to experience the depth of love you have for one another, especially if they weren’t there the first time around.
Here are some things to think about if you are planning your vow renewal ceremony.
What Happens at a Renewal Ceremony?
The answer is anything you want!
A vow renewal ceremony can be as unique and personal as you would like it. It’s up to you if you want to include religious aspects or do something completely different. You make all the decisions, and the only restrictions are your imagination.
Often participants choose to renew the vows that they made during the original wedding or opt to create new vows that are tailored to their relationship. Ceremonies can include readings, prayers, an exchange of flowers or ribbons, if you would like to add a handfasting element. Your celebrant can guide you through any queries you may have and provide you with options you may not have considered.
Vow renewal ceremonies usually have a rededication of rings. Couples sometimes choose to have their original bands engraved or decide to implement a ring blessing aspect to the ceremony. This is where the rings are passed around your friends and family who bless them with their love.
You can even put up your original wedding pictures to add an extra level of personalisation!
Where can this ceremony take place?
The great thing is a vow renewal ceremony is that it can take place anywhere. There is the option to choose a location that is special to the two of you as a couple or you could choose somewhere you have always loved the look of. If you are considering an outdoor public space such as a park, you may need to be granted permission by the local authority. There may also be constraints such as noise levels and alcohol consumption issues.
An alternative location for an outdoor ceremony could be your garden. This is dependent on the number of guests you have in attendance, however as part of your reception you could fire up the BBQ and celebrate!
If you prefer something a little more formal, you can indulge in a more traditional reception.
Who should you invite?
When you get married there can be an obligation to invite certain people to the wedding but with a vow renewal ceremony there is a lot less pressure. You can choose to invite only your nearest and dearest or everyone you know; it is completely up to you. You can also keep it intimate and just have the two of you in attendance with a celebrant.
What should you wear?
There is no set dress code for a vow renewal ceremony. You can be as formal or as casual as you like. It is a brilliant opportunity to do things a little differently than you did the first time around. If you couldn’t afford your dream wedding the first time, maybe you can fulfil the aspiration with your vow renewal ceremony.
Your vow renewal ceremony may end up being similar to your original wedding or it may be completely different. The choice is entirely yours. However, if you do feel overwhelmed, your celebrant will always be on hand to guide you and ensure that you have the bespoke ceremony you that you chose and will remember for years to come.