We Still Do! A CompleteGuide to Renewing Your Vows
ByFaith Johnson | 12:33 PM EST
Formarried couples, the desire to reaffirm one another’s love often means renewingthe vows. Many married couples cherish the opportunity to reunite with familyand friends to say, “I still do!”
Oneof the great advantages of renewing marriage vows is that you don’t have rulesthat dictate how you do it.
Coupleswishing to relive the precious moments of their original marriage are assistedby the jeweler Ingle & Rhode who have cometogether with their best advice for the perfect vow renewal ceremony.
Manymarriage ceremonies have been put off in the recent years because of COVID-19restrictions, but future weddings and vow renewals will be more significant andbetter than ever.
Jeweller Tim Ingle, of Ingle & Rhode, said: “Weddings are beautiful and emotional occasions, withfeelings of joy and partnership that can be recreated in vow renewalceremonies.
Why do couplesrenew their vows?
Eachcouple has a unique reason to renew their marriage oath. The most importantthing is that renewing marriage vows mean something to you and your partner.Couples looking to reaffirm their love for their partner can choose either torenew their current vows or to actualize them at a vow renewal ceremony. Themost common reasons are as follows:
v You’ve reached asignificant milestone, such as, a 10- or 20-year anniversary and want to celebratehow far you’ve come as a couple all the while reaffirming your love.
v Your initial ceremonywasn’t what you thought it would be. Maybe you eloped or had a courthousewedding.
v You have gone througha difficult chapter of your marriage, and you come out ready to commemorateyour union and make a commitment to one another.
How to renewyour vows
There is no right or wrong way to have anoath-renewing ceremony. After all, it’s not really a second wedding service-this is more of a reaffirmation of marriage, so that all the rules that applyto a “formal” marriage can be eliminated- if that’s the way you wantit! Here are a few things you should consider when renewing your vows:
v Where will the renewal take place? Renewingyour vows at a church could be just what you want. You can also do this onthe beach or have a modern and a rustic ceremony in your own backyard.
v Who will beofficiating? It’s logical to have someone to celebrate your vow exchange,but it could be anyone! It can also be a beloved family member, a trustedfriend, or someone who has remained at your side for the duration of yourrelationship. Pick a person important to you.
v Would youlike to have your family and friends in attendance? Renewing avow can be a great opportunity to bring together everyone you love and treasurein one place to celebrate your wedding commitment. It can also be a greatopportunity to step away from all that and have a special time for both of you.
v What do youwant to wear? If you would like to renew your vowswith a tuxedo and a wedding dress, this is certainly an option. If you want torenew your vows in jeans and buttoned shirt because it’s just who you are,this is great too!
Helpful tipsfor a great renewal ceremony
Themost important thing to remember is that renewing a vow is everything about youand your partner, just like a marriage is. Do so in a way that you both thinkis meaningful, that reflects your marriage journey, and that will continue foryears to come.
v Dowhat you couldn’t do the first time around. If your wedding ceremony wasn’tas big as you thought it would be, a vow renewal is your opportunity to dowhatever it takes to celebrate. If you’ve already had an extravagant wedding andit was more formal than fits your personality, maybe you want your vow renewalto feel more intimate and better reflect what you are as a couple.
v Decide on a special location. Whether yougot married at the courthouse or on a beach, choose a place that suits you andyour partner’s special connection. It could be the place where you first met, afavorite place to visit, or simply as a place that you dreamed of to renew yourvows.
v Take the time to write your own vows. Whereas itmay sometimes be difficult to express your love in a way that does its justice,renewing marriage vows can be an opportunity to talk from the heart andcommunicate with each other exactly how you feel.
v Make it a unique experience. Some coupleschoose to celebrate the renewal of their vow by exchanging a new set of ringsor adding an engraving to their original wedding ring. Others opt for handfasting ceremonies that are traditional in Scotland. Finding ideas can betedious, but it’s important to look efficiently for inspiration for your dreamrenewal ceremony.
Withso many marriage plans delayed in 2020, we feel that more and more couples willconsider renewing their vows for years to come. Talk with one of ourtrustworthy wedding experts about personalizing your special renewal ceremony.