How does one plan a “Renewing of Vows” Ceremony?
April 11th, 2011 | 
Author: Question by Lisa G: How does one plan a “Renewing of Vows” Ceremony?
My husband and I got married on the beach with just a couple of friends present. We usually knew we would like to do a formal wedding later on when we had the funds and time to allow us to do so.
We are now at the point we want to do this, but where does one even begin?? Would you just do it as just “planning a wedding” just the vows would be various?
Is there yet another ring involved??
How do you know what church to use, if neither is religious.
Help!!!
OK I will add a little update since it appears in question a small of WHY.
When we got married, it was on a pier on the beach. None of his family was there, and only my grandmother was there. We were moving overseas in 1 month and had no time for anything formal.
We didnt get to have the large event with loved ones and buddies there, we had a extremely quick justice of the peace wedding.
We have had some rough spots, extremely rough spots, and had been seperated for some time, and have only been back together for coming up on 2 years.
We had originally talked about a formal ceremony later when we could have the family and friends there.
Now we both want it to renew the promise made when we very first exchanged vows, since those vows were broken.
It isn’t about the white gown, or gifts. It is about wanting to share with those close to us, which we in no way got to do initially.
Very best answer:
Answer by vinster82
Do whatever you want. Me, I’d just plan yet another wedding but a lot lower key.
Know far better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Category: 
Tags: 
Subscribe via RSS or via Email
Just plan a wedding the way you want. If you feel like you want a new ring to show this step in your relationship then get one! If you aren’t religious don’t do it in a church. Do it outside or somewhere you both are comfortable. If one side of the family is religious then go with their church if not then I wouldn’t worry about the doing it at a church at all! Good luck
You would plan it just like any other wedding. There would be no ring involved (unless you wanted it that way with an upgraded ring
). You are already legally married so there would be no paperwork involved. As far as a church you would need to check on what their policies are on vow renewals. I’ve seen some churches that won’t do a vow renewal unless you’ve been married for a certain amount of years or have had some serious situations that have come up in your marriage (like health issues) in order to do the renewal. But if the two of you aren’t religious then try another location like a hotel ballroom, mansion etc. And your vows can be different more of reaffirming your love. See the attached link for some samples.
We wanted one for our twenty fifth anniversary.
How long have you been married?
If this isn’t tied to a special anniversary, then you aren’t going to like what I have to say, but here goes.
A wedding isn’t something you do twice to the same person unless there is a divorce between them.
To anyone else it looks like a dress up time for people who want gifts. Even if you state on the invitations “no gifts”.
If you want to hold a formal ball, catered and all by all means do so, but please, refrain from the white gown and veil. Many people here will tell you to do what you want, and of course you will, but that won’t stop many other people who attend from thinking “Who is she kidding?” You are already married, you had a very meaningful ceremony with close friends and family. That counts for something.
You have a ring, you were married with it.
You can always buy another if you wish to change off, but you aren’t going to get another licence because they won’t issue you one. You are already married. If you aren’t religious why a church? Isn’t that a bit over the top? Do you think a clergyman will marry people who simply think of a church as a location?
Do the anniversary party, do it up as big and splashy as you wish, dress as stunningly as you want and have him in white tie and tails, but if you can still remember your original vows then exactly what is it you are renewing?
Edit
OK I think I see where you are going, hows this, do the anniversary party with invitations, and dress code, you wear a beautiful gown, no veil, no bouquet. At then end of the dinner, before the dancing, make an announcment about how you missed them all at your wedding and you would like to renew you vows before all of them. Then turn to each other and recite away. Then have dancing and cake cutting, no garter or bouquet throw. No ring exchange, its vows you are renewing after all, not trying to pretend to be newly wed.
That will placate the most fussy of old ladies, of which I am one. It will give you the formal event, and show your love of each other without attempting to duplicate the trappings of the virgin bride. Hope this helps.
I had some friends do this recently. They had gotten married in the dead of winter, the bridal shower was cancelled due to snow, and they got married on a cruise ship with just 5 people there (immediate family). They decided that this spring/summer they’d renew vows/exchange rings. They didn’t go to a church, just rented a hall. They had a good friend, who happens to be a clergyman, ‘preside’ over to ceremony. They planned it much like a wedding. Finger foods only, no sit-down meal. People dressed up a little, ‘Sunday best’ mostly. The bride and groom wore wedding dress and tux. They got to say their vows in front of all their friends and family. They exchanged rings (couldn’t afford nice rings earlier). It was really nice, Some people brought small gifts. most didn’t, they’d sent gifts for the real wedding. It was nice. Hope yours goes well.
Firstly, a renewal of vows is NOT “another” wedding. You are already married, whatever the circumstances, and whatever type of ceremony you had. Usually a vow renewal would be done on the 25th anniversary, though some people get it done at the 10th anniversary.
It’s a simple ceremony, done at a church or any other location, attended by family and very close friends. Just regular dressy clothes, no attendants, no “wedding” stuff. After the ceremony, usually the couple would have their family and friends over to their home for dinner.
What you probably want since it’s only two years is just an anniversary party. Invite your family and friends to your home, and have a blast!!!