What to Know About Planning a Vow Renewal

Renewing your vows is one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate the journey you’ve shared with your partner and everything that you have weathered together. Whether you are nearing a milestone anniversary or never got to celebrate your wedding day with your friends and family the first time, a vow renewal can be just as or more memorable than your original wedding. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about planning a vow renewal ceremony.

What Is a Vow Renewal?

A vow renewal is a ceremony where a married couple reaffirms their commitment to one another. It is not a legally binding ceremony; it is simply a symbolic celebration that gives people the freedom to personalize the event without worrying about traditional wedding procedures. Many couples choose to skip legal formalities and instead focus on celebrating their love in a heartfelt, meaningful way.

Why Choose To Renew Your Vows?

Each couple has their reason for renewing their vows. Some of the most common are:

Celebrating making it through a difficult time
A milestone anniversary (making it 25 or 50 years)
Creating the wedding day celebration you never had
Surprising your spouse with a lovely gesture.

There is no exact reason to have a vow renewal celebration. If it feels like the right choice to you, then that is the perfect reason.

The timing of your vow renewal ceremony is directly related to why you are doing it. Is it a renewal after just a year? Is it your 50th wedding anniversary that you want to celebrate? Or is your whole family in town, and it’s a great reason to get together and throw the wedding celebration you never had? It is your day, so whatever feels right to you is what you should do.

Do You Need an Officiant?

Unlike at your wedding day, a vow renewal does not require an officiant to be presiding. Anyone you want can officiate your ceremony. Some popular options are: a family member, a close friend, or a member of your parish or religious community. Whoever you choose to lead your ceremony, you want to make sure that it is someone who understands your relationship and, in many cases, has been there for you both through the good and the bad.

Venue for the Ceremony

Your venue for your vow renewal celebration can be anywhere that holds meaning or a room large enough to hold all of your family and friends who want to celebrate with you! Some great ideas would be:

your home or backyard for a cozy feel
a church or place of worship
your original wedding venue

If you never got a chance to throw the big wedding of your dreams, then make sure to check out rental halls/venues in your area that can cover your food, drinks, and all the details of your special event.

For a destination vow renewal, couples choose locations like tropical beaches or charming villas abroad to make the event even more memorable. As you are looking for a venue, keep your guest list and budget in mind to see what best fits your needs!

Your Vows

Your vows are the time to speak from the heart. Vow renewals occur once you have had the chance to experience life together and, therefore, can be much more personal than your original wedding vows. Some tips to write renewal vows that will wow your partner are to:

Reflect on your journey together and touch on the obstacles you have overcome together
Go into who your partner is now and what you love about them
Make a promise going forward

An important thing to remember is to be yourself and be authentic. There is no need to be extra poetic, just speak from the heart. Another option is to recite your original wedding vows and maybe add a section at the end touching on what you have gone through so far as a couple and how you will be moving forward together.

How to Dress for a Vow Renewal

There is no dress code for a vow renewal; it just depends on the general vibe of your ceremony. If you are renting a hall and hosting the wedding day you never had, then go for your original wedding gown or a formal gown, or a suit. If you are having the ceremony in your backyard or a more casual setting, maybe go for a cocktail dress or even cute, coordinating outfits. Feeling confident and comfortable is the most important thing, and many people choose attire that reflects their unique relationship and style.

Who to Invite to a Vow Renewal

Are you renewing vows after 20 years of marriage? Then invite your kids and grandkids to celebrate the day with you! Are you renewing your vows after just a year or two? Maybe go on a romantic vacation and renew wedding vows on a beach in Hawaii! Invite those who have been there for your relationship through its many years.

Some people to keep in mind when creating your invite list are:

Children and grandchildren
Your original wedding party
Close friends and relatives
New friends who have become a part of your journey as a couple

However, just like a traditional wedding, you can choose to renew your vows in an intimate ceremony and then host a larger party or reception to celebrate. A reception is not required for a vow renewal, but it is a great way to celebrate and include toasts and speeches from loved ones, (another) first dance, sharing a meal, and pulling out a photo or video montage of your relationship so far.

Should People Bring Gifts?

Most of the time, vow renewal ceremonies do not include gift registries, but it is up to you! If someone insists on bringing a gift, you could suggest a donation to your favorite charity or something low-key.

Personal Touches When Planning a Vow Renewal

To make your ceremony a little more personal and unique, consider adding one or more of the following:

A unity candle or sand ceremony
Reading letters from each other
Including grandchildren in the ceremony
Make a slideshow displaying photos from your wedding day and/or your life together
Anniversary bands to your wedding rings

A vow renewal is a chance to celebrate and to not only look back with appreciation for your partner, but also to look forward with hope and love. The most important thing to remember throughout the planning of a vow renewal process is that your ceremony reflects your journey and love story.Let the planning process be a labor of love and a joyful affirmation of everything you have built together.

Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO

Looking for a venue that brings your floral vision to life? André’s Banquet & Catering offers stunning spaces in St. Louis perfect for any wedding aesthetic—floral-forward or minimalist chic.

At Andre’s, we have several amazing venues in addition to being a full-service catering company. Our packages typically include a full buffet meal, a 4-hour open bar, linen tablecloths, chair covers, centerpieces, personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!