Vow Renewal Ceremonies: How to Say “I Still Do” Your Way
There is understandably a lot of focus on weddings. They are full of anticipation, nerves, hope and promise. They mark the beginning, the big yes, the moment everything officially changes.
But further down the line, love can ask for a different kind of moment.
A vow renewal ceremony is not about recreating your wedding day or proving anything to anyone else. It is about looking at one another, after life has had its say, and choosing each other again with intention, honesty and a bit of perspective.
What is A vow renewal ceremony?
At its core, a vow renewal is a recommitment ceremony. A moment to reflect on the relationship you have built, not just the highlight reel, but the real thing. The shared history, the growth, the compromise, the laughter, the moments that shaped you.
Some couples choose to repeat the vows they made years ago, hearing those words land differently now that life has filled in the gaps. Others write new vows that reflect who they are today, with all the wisdom and humour that comes from doing life together.
If you are wondering how a celebrant supports moments like this, you might enjoy reading my blog: What does a wedding celebrant actually do?
There is no rulebook here. Your ceremony can be small and intimate or a full blown celebration. It can be just the two of you, or it can include your children, family, friends or anyone who has been part of your journey so far.
The only thing it really needs to be is true to you.
You can find out more about vow renewal ceremonies with Sunday Best Ceremonies here.
Photo by Hoi An and Da Nang Photographer on Unsplash
When is the right time for a vow renewal?
This is one of the questions I am asked most often, and the honest answer is refreshingly simple.
There is no perfect time. There is only the time that feels right to you.
Some couples choose to renew their vows to mark a milestone anniversary, ten years, twenty, twenty five, fifty. A moment that feels worth celebrating properly. Others are guided more by life than by dates.
Perhaps you have come through a challenging season together. Perhaps your family has grown. Perhaps your wedding day was quiet or shaped by circumstances beyond your control, and you would love the chance to do something that feels more like you now, and yes, I am absolutely looking at you COVID!
Many couples start thinking about a vow renewal quietly, often before they even say the words out loud to anyone else. It tends to come at a point where you realise that what you have built together feels worth marking. Not because you should, but because it matters to you.
Starting with what matters to you
Before you think about venues, outfits or guest lists, it is worth slowing things down and asking yourselves why this vow renewal matters.
What do you want this ceremony to represent?
How do you want it to feel?
What do you want to walk away remembering?
When you start there, everything else becomes clearer. It stops being about expectations and starts being about intention.
If you are curious about the values that guide how I approach ceremonies, you might like to read my blog: Why did I become a celebrant?
That clarity is something guests feel straight away. Ceremonies rooted in meaning land differently. They feel grounded, relaxed and genuinely joyful.
Making your vow renewal your own
Some vow renewals look very much like a second wedding. Beautiful clothes, music, readings, perhaps even a walk down the aisle, followed by a proper celebration.
Others are much simpler. A garden, a favourite beach spot or somewhere that already holds significance for you both.
You might want to involve your children, especially if they were not around the first time. You might want to acknowledge how your family has grown, or you might decide that this moment is just for the two of you, no audience required.
If your original wedding did not quite reflect who you are now, or did not feel like the day you hoped for at the time, a vow renewal can be a chance to rewrite that moment gently, without pressure.
There is no right or wrong way to do this. There is only what feels comfortable, honest and meaningful to you.
Photo by Hoi An and Da Nang Photographer on Unsplash
Why work with a celebrant for a vow renewal?
A vow renewal ceremony deserves just as much care as a wedding ceremony, sometimes more.
Working with a celebrant means having someone who takes the time to understand your story, not just the dates and milestones, but the people you are and the life you have built together.
Someone to help you shape the ceremony, find the right words, guide you through writing vows if you wish, and hold the space on the day so you can be fully present without worrying about what happens next.
It is about feeling supported and gently guided, rather than being directed.
You can find out more about vow renewal ceremonies with Sunday Best Ceremonies here.
A Sunday Best vow renewal ceremony
At Sunday Best Ceremonies, vow renewals are calm, personal and thoughtfully created.
They are never stiff or over formal. They are written with care, led with warmth, and shaped around the people at the centre of them.
There is space for laughter, emotion and those quieter moments that often say more than we think. Space to reflect and celebrate in a way that feels natural rather than performative.
If you would like to know more about the person behind the words, you can read more about me here.
If you are considering renewing your vows, whether you are just starting to explore the idea or already have a sense of what you would like, I would love to hear your story.
We can talk things through at your pace and see what feels right. Feel free to contact me here.
Sarah x
Your story, your way, your Sunday Best
Vow renewal FAQs
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A wedding is a legal or symbolic ceremony marking the start of a marriage or partnership. A vow renewal is a symbolic ceremony that celebrates an existing relationship. There are no legal elements involved, which means you have complete freedom over how your ceremony looks and feels.
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Traditionally, vow renewals are for married couples, but recommitment ceremonies are for anyone who wants to celebrate and reaffirm their relationship. The language and structure can be shaped to suit you and your story.
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Yes. Because vow renewals are not legally binding, they can take place anywhere that feels meaningful to you. This could be your garden, a favourite outdoor spot, a venue you love, or somewhere completely unexpected.
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Not at all. Some couples love revisiting the vows they said years ago and hearing them with fresh perspective. Others prefer to write something new that reflects who they are now. Some do a mix of both.
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Absolutely. Many couples choose to involve their children, especially if they were not around at the time of the original wedding. This can be done in simple, meaningful ways that feel natural rather than staged.
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Only if you want it to be. Vow renewals can be as relaxed or as structured as you like. The most important thing is that it feels comfortable and authentic to you.
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A vow renewal is a deeply personal moment, and working with a celebrant means you are supported every step of the way.
A celebrant takes the time to get to know you, your story and the life you have built together, and shapes a ceremony that feels natural, meaningful and completely your own. From deciding what to include, to supporting you with vows if you would like that help, everything is guided gently and thoughtfully.
When you work with me at Sunday Best Ceremonies, your ceremony is written with care and led calmly and confidently on the day, so you can relax, be present and enjoy the moment without worrying about what comes next.
If you are considering renewing your vows and would like to talk things through, you are very welcome to get in touch at sarah@sundaybestceremonies.com
Photo by Hoi An and Da Nang Photographer on Unsplash
About the Author
Sarah Precious is an independent wedding celebrant and the founder of Sunday Best Ceremonies, based in the South West of England. She creates relaxed, personal ceremonies for weddings, vow renewals and elopements, focusing on storytelling, connection and making each ceremony feel genuinely yours.
With nearly two decades of experience in wedding and event management, Sarah brings calm guidance, thoughtful structure and confident delivery to every ceremony she leads.
Want to know more about Sarah and how she creates relaxed, story led celebrations? Explore her approach here.