Are you wondering how to plan a vow renewal? Maybe you’re even wondering how it is different from an actual wedding. These are just a couple of the questions that I had too when planning for my 10 year vow renewal. In this blog I will share my two cents and give you some of the behind the scenes of our vow renewal process.
The biggest decision we had to make is whether we wanted a large or small event. After much thought around the reason we were doing our vow renewal, it became clear that a smaller event was the way to go. We did not want to renew our vows just to have another ceremony. This vow renewal came after a couple of rough years in our marriage. And after many tears, therapy, and countless hours of prayers later we made it through! Therefore, recommitting to one another was imperative for us.
Vow Renewal Ceremony
The vow renewal ceremony is the portion that gave me a lot of pause. My husband and I had a full wedding with 200 plus guest 10 years prior. I did not want to repeat that nor did I want to make this renewal like a traditional wedding. Here is a short list of some elements we incorporated:
- We used a minister to officiate
- We did not include a wedding party
- My husband and I walked down the aisle together
- We wrote our own vowels (Using these books from Amazon)
- No new rings were exchanged
Ultimately, we wanted to keep things simple. Our love and recommitment to one another was the spotlight. So as you’re planning, make sure to keep that at the forefront of your mind.
Who to invite
Invite who you want! Do not feel pressured to invite people just because they are family or associates. Choose people who are truly meaningful in your marriage. Those who have supported your union and show up in multiple ways for you. It’s your day…again! We also chose to use Evite for electronic invitations. No need for the traditional paper invites.
Selecting a venue
When I began searching for a venue, I knew that I did not want it to be an event hall. I wanted some place light and bright with some character. And that’s exactly what I found in Headquarters Wedding Venue in Newport, KY. The owners were really kind and accommodating. The price was very reasonable and of course it was stunning. I found this place by searching The Knots website.
What to wear for a vow renewal
For me, it was imperative that I did not want our vow renewal to be a full wedding and reception again. So, there was no way that I was going to buy a wedding dress! Plus, I hate shopping. I did try out a couple of stores and boutiques, but nothing stood out. So what did we wear? (Click the links below to see pricing)
My girls: Purple and floral dress from Amazon
My son: Purple tux from Amazon
My dress: Purple gown from Shein
My husband: Purple tux from Amazon
Again, wear what makes you happy. You don’t have to follow tradition for your vow renewal. Do your day, your way.
The menu
Ever since we began the discussion about our vow renewal, I knew that I wanted to have brunch. We chose none other than Seasoned Dish as our caterer. Their food never disappoints! And I’ll say it again, we ordered exactly what we like to eat. From the turkey bacon to the French toast, we served our guests all of our breakfast favorites.
And let’s not forget about the drinks. It would not be brunch without mimosas! In addition to that, we served my signature lavender lemonade. I definitely recommend going the signature drink route. It saves money and adds even more of your personality into the event.
Overall, We chose to keep things simple. Planning events can get really complicated if you let them. While I still spent many days running errands, double checking list, and organizing decorations, everything turned out beautifully, And most importantly we recommitted to one another in front of God, our children, close friends, and family. We are blessed and look forward to what’s next!
