Planning A Wedding Renewal: A Guide To Reviving Your Vows

Planning a wedding renewal can be an exciting and joyful experience. It's a chance to reaffirm your enduring love and commitment to each other, honouring the shared years and looking forward to many more. Whether you're celebrating a milestone anniversary or marking a new chapter, a wedding renewal is a heartfelt ceremony that reflects your unique love story. From setting the date and budget to choosing attire and music, you can make the day as big or as low-key as you like. With experience and hindsight on your side, you can create a meaningful and special celebration filled with personal touches.

Rings

Planning a wedding renewal can be an exciting and joyful experience. It is much like planning a wedding, but with the benefit of hindsight and experience.

Some couples choose to exchange their original wedding rings again, while others opt for new rings to mark the occasion. If you decide to get new rings, you can make them as similar or different to your original rings as you like. You might want to consider incorporating elements that reflect your relationship and the journey you have been on together. For example, you could include your partner's birthstone or a design that symbolises a shared interest.

If you are planning to exchange new rings, it is a good idea to start shopping for them early on in the planning process. This will give you time to find the perfect rings and ensure they are the right size. You might want to consider having them engraved with a meaningful message or your wedding date.

If you are wearing your original wedding rings, you could have them cleaned and polished so they look their best for the ceremony. You could also consider having them resized if needed or adding an engraving if they don't already have one.

Whether you choose to exchange new or original rings, the ring exchange is a meaningful part of the ceremony. You might want to consider writing your own ring vows or selecting a reading that reflects the significance of the rings and your commitment to each other.

Music and readings

You might want to include a photo or video montage showcasing moments from your relationship leading up to the renewal. This could be accompanied by music that has a special meaning for you as a couple.

If you're stuck for ideas, you could ask your guests to write down wishes or advice for your future together, which can be read out during the ceremony. You could also ask a friend or family member to plan a surprise reading or performance for you both.

Remember, a wedding vow renewal ceremony is a heartfelt event where you come together to reaffirm your enduring love. So, choose music and readings that reflect your relationship and the journey you've been on together.

Reception

Planning a wedding renewal reception is much like planning a wedding reception: you can go as big or as low-key as you want. The reception can be as simple or as lavish as you like, depending on your budget and style. It can be a backyard barbecue or a formal dinner.

If you're looking to make the event more personal, you could create a photo or video montage showcasing moments from your relationship leading up to the renewal. You could also have guests write down wishes or advice for your future together, which can be read later or saved as keepsakes. If you're looking to add some fun to the reception, you could have an anniversary dance where all couples at the ceremony join the dance floor, gradually leaving as the number of years married is called out until the couple married the longest is left.

If you're looking to incorporate cultural or religious traditions that weren't part of your original wedding, a wedding renewal reception is a great opportunity to do so. You could also plan a surprise for your spouse or have a friend or family member plan a surprise for both of you during the reception.

Attire

Planning a wedding renewal can be a deeply personal and joyful experience. It is much like planning a wedding, except you can draw on your experience and hindsight to make it even more special.

Some couples choose to renew their vows in their original wedding attire, while others purchase new outfits. The choice is yours, but the most important thing is to choose attire that makes you feel special and celebrates this new chapter in your life together. You might want to consider whether there are any cultural or religious traditions that you would like to incorporate into your renewal, especially if they weren't part of your original wedding. You could also ask your guests to wear a certain colour or style to fit with your theme.

If you are buying a new outfit, you might want to consider the time of year and the location of your ceremony. For example, if you are having an outdoor ceremony in the summer, you might want to choose a lighter fabric to keep cool. Or, if you are having a more formal indoor ceremony, you might want to choose a more elegant outfit.

For those who want to wear their original wedding attire, it is a good idea to try it on well in advance of the ceremony to make sure it still fits and is in good condition. If not, you may need to consider having it altered or repaired, or choosing a new outfit.

Finally, don't forget to choose some special accessories to complete your look. This might include a new pair of shoes, a veil or headpiece, or some meaningful jewellery.

Photography

Planning a wedding renewal can be an exciting and joyful experience. It is an opportunity to celebrate your marriage and shared moments, and to reaffirm your enduring love for each other.

If you opt for a guest photographer, choose someone with a good eye for composition and lighting. Provide them with a list of must-have shots and consider gifting them with a nice camera or photography accessories as a thank-you.

In addition to still photography, you may also want to consider hiring a videographer to capture the day. A video can be a wonderful way to relive the memories and emotions of your wedding renewal.

Another idea is to create a photo or video montage showcasing moments from your relationship leading up to the renewal. This can be played during the ceremony or reception and is sure to evoke emotions and spark conversations.

Finally, don't forget to plan for some fun and creative photo opportunities during your wedding renewal. This could include a photo booth with props, a backdrop with your wedding colours or theme, or even a unique setting that reflects your relationship. Encourage your guests to take photos and share them with you, so you can see the day from their perspective.

Frequently asked questions