Are you looking to celebrate your love or honour a special milestone and renew your wedding vows? This comprehensive guide about how and why you might want to renew your vows is here to help you plan and execute the perfect vow renewal ceremony. From step-by-step instructions to helpful tips, you’ll find everything you need to plan your special celebration today.
Renewing your vows can be a beautiful way to celebrate your love and commitment to each other. Whether you want to involve your loved ones or keep it intimate, a vow renewal can be a special occasion to create new memories. One popular trend is to make it a destination ceremony, allowing you to combine your vow renewal with a romantic getaway. Imagine saying your vows again on a beautiful beach or in a picturesque overseas location that holds significance to both of you. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories and celebrate your love in a unique and meaningful way.
Is it legal to renew wedding vows?
Renewing wedding vows is a purely symbolic ceremony and does not have any legal implications. Therefore, you are free to plan and organise a vow renewal ceremony according to your preferences, without any legal or religious restrictions to consider.
Determine the Reason for Renewing Your Vows.
Before you start planning your vow renewal ceremony, it’s important to determine the reason behind it. Are you celebrating a milestone anniversary? Did you overcome a difficult period in your relationship? Or do you simply want to reaffirm your love and commitment to each other?
Whether you’re seeking that fairytale ceremony you never had the first time around or you want to relive your first wedding experience, this is a purely sentimental celebration of your love and commitment to one another. With no worrying about overblown guest lists, seating charts, matching stationary, expensive bridal parties or forgettable bucks nights, how can you resist!
Set a Budget and Choose a Date.
Just as you did the first time around, begin to plan out a rough budget and make a list of the key elements you’ll need, keeping in mind the nitty-gritty flights, transfers, meals, etc. Consider factors such as venue rental, catering, decorations, and any additional services you may want, such as a photographer or live music. It’s important to be realistic about what you can afford and prioritise accordingly.
Choosing a date for your vow renewal ceremony is also an important step. Consider factors such as the availability of your desired venue, the time of year, and any significant dates or anniversaries that hold special meaning for you and your partner. Once you have chosen a date, be sure to check with important guests, such as close family and friends, to ensure they are available to attend.
By setting a budget and choosing a date early on in the planning process, you can ensure that your vow renewal ceremony stays on track and meets your expectations.
Decide on the Type of Ceremony and Venue
One of the best things about vow renewals is that there is no stock standard way of doing it; your celebration can be as unique as you like. The next step, after setting a budget, when planning your dream vowel renewal is picking your dream location.
When deciding on a venue, take into consideration your guest list. Ask yourself will it be just the two of you – or maybe your children will be in tow? Many couples include their children in their ceremony often as escorts to walk Mum down the aisle.
Aim to book your venue six to eight months in advance, or as early as you can to guarantee you get the date you desire, especially if it holds sentimental value, like an anniversary.
Think of a location that not only appeals to you as a couple but that offers the kind of vow renewal you’re after; we suggest you start brainstorming about places you’ve visited previously and loved, or for the more adventurous, destinations which are firmly placed on your bucket list.
The whole idea of this experience is to remember and celebrate why you got married in the first place while taking away the enormous pressure of planning a wedding.
Popular destinations include exotic escapes like Bali and Thailand, romantic beach getaways in the Pacific Islands and the Whitsundays, and European hot spots France and Italy. There are plenty of resorts and hotels in these locations that specialise in vow renewal, offer packages (which your budget will thank you for) and knowledgable coordinators which make the planning process a breeze. Keep in mind, vow renewals come in much cheaper overall than your initial wedding – a smaller number of guests, lack of costly traditional items and fewer extravagant details means you can splurge on the location.
Create a Guest List and Send Invitations
Once you have chosen a venue and determined the date and type of ceremony for your vow renewal, it’s time to create a guest list and send out invitations. Start by listing all the people you want to invite, including close family members, friends, and other important individuals in your life.
Consider your venue’s size and budget when finalising your guest list. It’s essential to ensure that the venue can comfortably accommodate all your guests and that you can afford to host them. When sending out invitations, you can go traditional with printed invitations or opt for digital invitations through email or social media platforms. Whichever method you choose, make sure to include all the necessary details, such as the date, time, and location of the ceremony, as well as any additional information, such as dress code or RSVP instructions. Sending out invitations well in advance will give your guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements to attend your vow renewal ceremony.
Keep track of RSVPs and follow up with any guests who have yet to respond closer to the date to ensure an accurate headcount. Remember, your vow renewal ceremony is a special occasion to celebrate your love and commitment, so invite those who have played a significant role in your relationship and who you want to share this milestone with.
If you still fit into your original gown and tux, you might consider wearing it at your ceremony as a fun little nod to your first wedding. Some couples choose to say the same vows as they did at their original wedding, but many rewrite them to recognise the milestones in their life. If you choose to write new vows, it’s often nice to include a small part from your initial wedding.
Plan the Ceremony and Reception Details
Once you have finalised your guest list and sent out invitations for your vow renewal ceremony, it’s time to start planning the ceremony and reception details. When it comes to the style of your vow renewal, there are very few rules to follow. This is dependent on how you and your partner wish to celebrate. Start to think about the style of your ceremony; maybe you’d like a sunset beach ceremony followed by relaxed cocktails and barbecue
First, consider the theme or style you want for your vow renewal. Do you want a formal ceremony followed by a sit-down dinner or a more casual affair with a cocktail reception? Think about your personal preferences and what will make the day feel special to you and your partner.
Next, decide on the order of events for the ceremony. Will you have a processional with a bridal party, or will it be just the two of you exchanging vows? Will you include any readings or special rituals? Take the time to plan out the flow of the ceremony to ensure it reflects your vision and captures the essence of your relationship.
The event at its core is to celebrate your enduring love. So, at your reception, let your guests shower you with toasts acknowledging this feat. Another great touch for your reception and guaranteed plenty of giggles, is to bring your original wedding album and compare it to photos of your married life.
When it comes to the reception, consider the type of food and drinks you want to serve. Will you have a sit-down dinner, a buffet, or a cocktail-style reception with passed hors d’oeuvres? Consider your budget and your guests’ preferences when making these decisions.
Don’t forget about the decor! Choose a colour scheme and style that complements your overall theme. Consider incorporating meaningful elements to you as a couple, such as photos from your wedding day or sentimental items that represent your journey together.
Entertainment & Photography
Lastly, think about any additional entertainment or activities you want to include. Will you have a live band or a DJ? Are there any special dances or performances you want to incorporate? Think about what will make the reception memorable and enjoyable for both you and your guests.
Make sure you hire a photographer, you’ll want these memories captured. A vow renewal is one of the most romantic ways to reaffirm and celebrate your love for one another, a great excuse for that dream holiday and perfect to recapture the true essence of your romance.
Vow renewal can be a more relaxed celebration than the original wedding, with a stronger focus on reaffirming your commitment to one another. By carefully planning the ceremony and reception details, you can create a vow renewal celebration that is truly special and reflects your love and commitment to each other.
Discover more about renewing your vows at the Great Destination Weddings website where you’ll find all the best wedding venues in Thailand, Bali, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu – and beyond!
