Vow renewal ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular with couples who have enjoyed many years of marriage together. They provide an opportunity for you and your partner to reaffirm your commitment to each other, and to celebrate your successful union with friends and family. Whether your marriage has been a happy one or you’ve suffered some rocky patches, a vow renewal ceremony will strengthen the bond between you. Just like your wedding, the vow renewal ceremony will require some planning.
Setting the Date
If you’re inviting guests, you’ll probably want to check that the important people like your parents, siblings and best friends are free on the date you choose for the vow renewal ceremony. It’s good idea not to pick a mid-week date as this will be inconvenient for friends and family who work. Many couples choose a date that is meaningful for them, for example their anniversary or the date of their engagement.
Choosing the Venue
Although places of worship are very popular choices for vow renewal ceremonies, don’t feel limited to a church or similar setting. You can have your renewal in a beautiful garden, with a marquee for food and drinks, or on a beach, or even on a cruise. There really are no limits in terms of the choice of venue. Some couples choose to host the renewal themselves, while other couples have their ceremony hosted by their children. This will obviously depend on the age of your child and their financial situation.
Rings and Dress Codes
There’s no precedent when it comes to choosing your outfits for the vow renewal ceremony. Whether you elect to go formal, casual or to recreate the first wedding is an entirely personal choice. Make sure that you and your partner are comfortable, and the ceremony will be a success. The vow renewal ceremony is also a great time to replace worn out or lost wedding rings. You may be in a far more financially secure position now than at the beginning of your marriage, so you can splash out on a more luxurious ring. There are plenty of well-established, specialist retailers to choose from, including Chisholm Hunter.
It is also a good idea to include the dress code on your invitations to guests, so that everyone comes in the correct attire for the occasion.
The Vows
A vow renewal is not a legally binding ceremony (like a wedding), and this means that you can choose anyone you like to officiate at the ceremony. Some options include a traditional member of the clergy, a judge, one of your children, a relative, and the best man or maid of honour from your original ceremony.
