Look back on your wedding day during your vow renewal ceremony.
After enduring years of marriage's ups and downs, a couple can reaffirm their commitment to one another with a vow renewal ceremony. This celebration allows the couple to reflect on their marriage and look ahead to many more years to come. Planning a vow renewal ceremony might feel like you're planning your wedding all over again. Give your ceremony special touches that allow you and your spouse to celebrate your love in front of family and friends.
Location
A vow renewal ceremony can take place in a variety of locations. You don't need to feel pigeonholed into a church ceremony, though that certainly works. If you want a religious feel for your vow renewal, talk to your pastor, priest or rabbi about setting something up in your church. Alternatively, embrace nature and host your vow renewal at a local park or beach; just check the seasonal averages for that time of year. Finally, a banquet hall, hotel ballroom or restaurant can also play host to your vow renewal ceremony.
Vows
As its name implies, the vow renewal ceremony focuses on you and your spouse exchanging promises again. Thus, you should pay particular attention to crafting vows that convey your love and appreciation of your spouse. After all, that's why your guests are coming to celebrate. To reflect on how far you've come since your wedding day, consider reading your vows from your wedding and following them up with vows tailored to your present-day spouse.
Elements
The focus of your vow renewal ceremony should be on your vows, allowing you to express publicly how you feel about your spouse. However, you can also incorporate other wedding elements into your ceremony. The Knot suggests exchanging rings much like you did on your wedding day. These pieces of jewelry can upgrade your current wedding bands, or you can each wear them on a different hand. If you have children, incorporate them into the event by having them light a unity candle with you, showing your family togetherness.
Celebration
A vow renewal ceremony calls for a post-ceremony celebration, just like a wedding. While it might not be as elaborate as your original wedding reception, it gives you the chance to interact with and enjoy your guests. You might not want to splurge on elaborate floral centerpieces, but you can display framed photos from your marriage on tables as centerpieces. Food, drink and entertainment can be as simple or elaborate as your budget and preferences allow -- all rules are off when it comes to a vow renewal ceremony.
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