Long before I became a wedding celebrant I thought about having a vow renewal. Only I didn’t really know what that meant. I sort of imagined saying a few words with a group of friends in the function room of a pub. Now that might be the perfect vow renewal for some couples. But having been immersed in the world of weddings and other ceremonies for some time now, I have come to realise that a vow renewal can be so much more.
Put simply, a vow renewal ceremony is a non-legal ceremony in which a married couple reaffirm the promises they made to one another on their wedding day. Unlike a wedding, it has no legal status and can take place anywhere, in any style, and at any stage of a marriage.
The wedding you always dreamed of
It could be the wedding you always dreamed of, but couldn’t manage at the time. For all sorts of reasons people choose to scale back their wedding. It could be for financial reasons, it might be the pressure of caring for elderly parents or sick children. It could be due to work commitments or moving home, or family members not being available. Maybe at the time you just wanted to get it over and done with and went with an out of the box register office wedding. And at the time that was exactly the right decision.
But what if deep down you really wanted to do something unique?
Whether intimate and romantic in a family garden, or flamboyant and out there in a giant marquee, be guided by your imagination. Perhaps the first time your vows were handed to you by the registrar or the vicar, and this time you want to write them yourself and speak from the heart.
When do couples renew their vows?
Couples choose to renew their vows for many different reasons. Some mark a milestone anniversary such as ten, twenty-five or fifty years. Others do it after a difficult period in life, as a way of celebrating the strength of their relationship. There is no specificic requirement or formula. It’s just you and your partner expressing your continued or renewed love in front of your closest friends – or everyone you know.
Whatever you imagine, as an independent civil celebrant I can help you bring it to life through Chris Ellis Ceremonies.