A wedding vow renewal ceremony is often a very moving ceremony in which a married couple renew or reaffirm their wedding vows to each other. Over the years we have coordinated vow renewal ceremonies for couples and their families for many reasons:
~ It may be that the couple eloped originally, for whatever reason. It is becoming more common to see them have a more elaborate vow renewal ceremony either within a few years of eloping or when they have reached a particular landmark in their marriage.
~ Increasingly couples celebrating a milestone anniversary – be it a first, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th or other anniversary significant to them – choose to celebrate it with a renewal of vows celebration instead of just an anniversary party.
~ Often couples make it through a particularly difficult time – whether it’s an illness, financial crisis, or relationship challenge, and when they make it through with their love and marriage intact couples are choosing to celebrate their success with a vow renewal celebration.
~ We quite often see couples who simply could not afford to have the wedding they wanted when they married originally. One of the benefits of growing older together tends to be increased financial resources, so brides who dreamed of inviting all of their friends and family to celebrate with them at their wedding, but couldn’t afford it when they wed, often opt to have a big vow renewal and reception when the money becomes available.
~ With the number of military actions that have occurred over the last few decades, serving military couples who married quickly before one or both of them were deployed are now opting to have the bigger celebration they didn’t have the opportunity to have once they are both safely home again.
~ Sadly, it does happen that couples experience wedding day disasters and, while they cannot undo the initial disaster or have another wedding day, they can have a second try at the celebration of their love and commitment to one another they dreamed of with a renewal of vows ceremony. After all, making new memories together is one of the things marriage is about!
~ Some couples just find the whole idea of a renewal of vows romantic and will celebrate with a ceremony of some kind on every anniversary of their marriage.
Each year more and more couples from all walks of life and all ages are opting to say “I still do” to one another as they celebrate their love and enduring commitment to one another and their marriage.
Because a vow renewal is not a legally binding ceremony like a wedding is, virtually anyone can officiate the ceremony, but having one of our St Lucian civil status officers perform the ceremony certainly makes it more meaningful in the context of a destination celebration.
Feel free to dress up! If you’re the bride, you could even wear your original wedding gown if you’re comfortable with it. Or choose another dress—a pretty cocktail dress, formal evening gown or a nice suit, depending on your taste and the formality and style of the celebration. Skip the veil if you want, but wear a hat or flowers in your hair if you’d like. Carry flowers or pin a corsage.
If you’re the groom, you might wear your original tuxedo or suit (or uniform if you’re in the military), updated with a new tie or waistcoat/vest. Or choose a new ensemble for this celebration. Wear a gift of jewellery your wife has given you—cuff links, a watch—and a boutonniere in your lapel.
To exchange rings or not to exchange rings, that is the question! More often than not, our couples do choose to exchange rings and often new rings that they have purchased specifically for this celebration, either a new wedding ring or an eternity style ring.
The good news is, there are far fewer rules and dos and don’ts about vow renewal than almost any other kind of ritual.
It can be as simple as the two of you alone in a beautiful spot reciting vows you have written, or a fancy affair with plenty of guests.
