A vow renewal ceremony gives a married couple the opportunity to make their pledges to each other once more, before a group of people who are special to them.
This time round their vows will reflect how they and their relationship have changed.
Reasons for vow renewal ceremonies
Often a couple want to mark a special anniversary with a ceremony that revisits the vows they made when they got married. The 10th, 25th or 40th anniversaries are popular choices.
Other couples choose to do this after the relationship has come through a difficult period. This could be the relationship itself or the couple might have been through a period of serious illness or financial hardship and they wish to celebrate the survival of their bond.
Sometimes the couple are now able to have the big celebration that they weren’t able to have for their wedding. For some reason they had to have a very small, legal ceremony with just a couple of witnesses. This could be because they need the official paperwork done or because something like Covid lockdowns prevented them from having the public ceremony that they had wanted.
What is important is that you both want to do it and feel that the time is now right.
Who is going to be there?
You may wish to have a small, intimate occasion with your children, close family and a few friends.
On the other hand this might be a great opportunity to see people you haven’t seen for a long time.
Either way, don’t lose sight of what should be the focus of the ceremony, which is your recommitting yourselves to each other.
Venue
You might want to have an informal gathering at home. There are no legal requirements to worry about, so you don’t have to be in “a church or other building used for religious service, or in a public office or private dwelling-house, with open doors.”
A non-religious celebrant can be very flexible, so you can choose to be in a place that has strong significance for you and your spouse.
You might have the ceremony in one place and your party afterwards at another.
It would be convenient if it all could be done at one venue.
You could go back to where you had your reception when you got married, as long as your memories are good ones.
Budget
Many of your choices will be made according to what you can afford. The costs of this sort of event can get quite out of hand. Discuss the matter carefully and decide on how much you can spend. Then stick to your budget. This is meant to be a happy occasion, not the cause of great stress.
Attire
What you wear will be influenced by how formal you choose to make the event.
You should also advise your guests on the dress code that you expect.
The vow renewal ceremony
Your celebrant will ask a number of questions, in order to be able to create and conduct a ceremony that you will be happy with.
You might want to involve your children. They could do readings or be part of the hand fasting or unity candle ceremony, should you wish to have such an element.
You might also include people who were part of your original wedding party, if that is possible.
Couples sometimes give each other special pieces of jewellery for a vow renewal or you may want an additional set of rings.
Your celebrant may suggest readings. You may use music to create the right tone.
You may choose to have a wine mixing element, an oathing stone, broom jumping or any of the other elements that first time wedding couples can choose from.
It is – after all – your day!
Wordways Ceremonies offers a variety of non-religious ceremonies, including vow renewal ceremonies. Get in touch with Vanessa today to discuss your needs.