How to renew your wedding vows: Everything you need to know
As one of the happiest days of your life, your wedding say is truly special. For many couples, renewing these vows is a way to mark this anniversary, usually after 10 or 20 years together. It’s also a way to reaffirm your commitments to each other and breathe new life into the relationship – especially if its gone through a bit of a rough patch. For others, it’s an opportunity to have a religious ceremony if they previously only got married legally. There really are a number of reasons why couples decide to renew vows.
To ensure that your own vow renewal is just as special, if not more so than the original day, we’ve assembled this helpful guide to everything you need to know about renewing your wedding vows.
How much does it cost?
Technically, you don’t have to pay anything to renew your wedding vows as its simply a renewal and not an official ceremony. You aren’t legally required to have an officiant if you renew your vows. If you wish, you could have a clergy member or judge present to officiate and make your ceremony more personally meaningful. However, you can simply have a friend or relative perform the service and act as an officiant if you wished. It’s more the whole day that will cost, not the actual renewal.
How soon should you renew your vows?
There are no set rules on how long you have to wait before you can renew your wedding vows. This means that if you wished to do so, you could even renew your commitments the day after your wedding! However, it’s usually left for a significant date further down the line.
Who should you invite?
On your original wedding day, couples often feel pressured into invited all family members, which can significantly increase costs. Thankfully, renewals are often viewed as being more ‘intimate’ meaning a smaller crowd is to be expected. It’s a day to make your own and if that means it being a private ceremony, so be it.
What to wear?
The ‘man in a suit, woman in a white gown’ idea can go out the window here, if you’d like. There’s no set dress code when it comes to renewing your vows. It’s entirely up to you how you personalise your day – and that includes what you wear.
Where should the ceremony take place?
Like your original big day, there’s no set rule on where you should re-tie the knot. In the UK, country house weddings are extremely popular, but there’s also the option to renew in a house of worship, a park or, quite literally, anywhere you want. There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s a great opportunity to make sure you make it another day to remember.
What actually happens during the ceremony?
Normally, you’ll be asked to exchange your vows once more, recalling all the commitments you made in the original ceremony. You then exchange wedding rings – either new or old – and may ask those closest to you to perform readings. Just like on your very first special day, you can be led in and out by meaningful music. After all, it is pretty much a ‘take two’ of your wedding day, so it’s up to you how the day plays out.
Of course, as was the case with your first wedding ceremony, it’s your choice as to which direction your special day goes. The most important thing to remember is that it’s really between you and your partner and as long as it’s perfect for the two of you, then that’s all that matters. Here’s to the next chapter in your life!