Vow Renewal Ceremony

Firstly, let me express my sincere congratulations to you both, on your decision to have a ceremony to renew your wedding vows. You were fortunate to find that one person with whom you want to share the rest of your life, and if you are renewing your wedding vows, it means that you want to acknowledge to yourselves, your family and friends that you are still very much in love and continuing together on life's journey.

After making the decision to renew your vows, what's the next step? You need to plan and prepare for your ceremony. Unlike the time of your wedding, you now know each other so much more deeply and there are the pressures and expectations that there might have been before your marriage.

You may not have been to many vow renewal ceremonies before, so I will be there to guide you through the considerations and decisions that need to be made. I have created this Vow Renewal Ceremony Kit to provides you with some information and ideas.

Unlike a wedding ceremony, there are no mandatory aspects, so you have even more freedom in making the ceremony meaningful for you and your story. Our aim is to create a ceremony that truly reflects both of you, and your enduring love for each other.

A vow renewal ceremony is a way for a married couple to celebrate their marriage and reaffirm the commitment they made to each other on their wedding day.

Couples often hold vow renewal ceremonies to mark milestones in their marriage such as on their 10th, 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries. There are no rules though, it is all about when it feels right for the couple.

One of the important aspects of a vow renewal is that it is not a wedding, so it can be a unique and meaningful way for a couple to renew their commitment to each other. It can be a relaxed, intimate occasion or a big party, as simple or as complex as you wish.

Vow renewals are a heartfelt way to celebrate your love and reaffirm the promises you made to each other on your wedding day.

Vow Renewal Outline

The vow renewal ceremony can take any form that a couple desires. However, it generally follows a similar structure to a wedding ceremony. Following is an outline of some of the components that may be used.

Introduction & Welcome

The celebrant will introduce themselves to the guests and announce any housekeeping points such as turning off mobile phones. The celebrant will then welcome the guests, on behalf of the couple, and advise them that the ceremony will be a renewal of their wedding vows.

Acknowledgment of Guests

The celebrant acknowledges any special guests, be they family or friends. Special mention is made of those who were unable to attend or are deceased.

Introduction of the Couple

Here, the celebrant introduces the couple and speaks about their journey from the time of their marriage to the present day, including any details of the ups and downs they may have experienced along the way, that the couple is happy to share with their guests. The reason for the timing of the vow renewal could be stated, whether it is on a particular anniversary or because of an incident or event that occurred. Other key people may also be introduced here, for example, members of the original wedding party or the couple's children.

The Asking

This is where you can say "I do" ,when the celebrant asks whether you intend to renew the promises you made during your wedding ceremony.

Vows

For a vow renewal ceremony, it is a good idea to revisit the vows you made on your wedding day. You may choose just to repeat those vows but most couples either extend the original vows, incorporating the life journey they have been on together, or write completely new vows. Again, the choice is a personal one.

Ring Exchange

A ring exchange ritual is optional, but some couples include it is an important symbolic representation of their love for each other. On your wedding day, you exchanged rings as a symbol of the neverending circle of love. Those rings serve as a reminder of the wedding vows you made to each other and your commitment to living in unity, love, and happiness. When renewing your vows, you may find it appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Signing of the Certificate

You may want to remember your special day with a commemorative vow renewal certificate, customised with the number of years you are celebrating.

You can sign the certificate in view of your guests, as you would have at your wedding, if you choose to do so. Of course, this is a much shorter process than that the signing of the register at a wedding. The couple may want to include music or a song at this point. After signing, the celebrant will then present the couple with the certificate.

Conclusion

The celebrant concludes the ceremony and acknowledges other parties, for example the musicians. Further details or instructions are announced, with regard to matters such as photography and or details if there is to be a party or reception.