In simple terms, a vow renewal is a ceremony in which a married couple reaffirm their commitment to each other. It usually takes the form of a ceremony similar to a marriage ceremony, in which the couple either exchanges the same vows from their wedding day, or new vows they have written for the occasion. Couples usually have a small celebration around the ceremony, whether it be an intimate dinner for two, a nostalgic viewing of their wedding video, or drinks with a small group of friends and family members. The beauty of a vow renewal is that there's no established format to follow, so couples should feel free to get creative with their plans! A vow renewal really can be as elaborate, or as low-key as you wish.
Whether you have a vow renewal is completely up to you and your partner. While some people like to catch their partner off guard with a surprise vow renewal, generally speaking, a vow renewal is something that the couple decide upon together. A milestone anniversary provides a good excuse, but you can have a vow renewal anytime. For couples who had a downsized wedding during Covid-19 restrictions, a vow renewal could coincide with the larger party that didn't go ahead as planned. The options really are endless!
A vow renewal is a symbolic celebration of your marriage, so there are no hard and fast rules. If you wanted, you and your partner could exchange vows in your living room, pop a bottle of bubbly and settle down in front of the TV for the rest of the night! Equally, you could have your vow renewal during on a beach in a far-flung location, during a bucket-list holiday. It's really up to you and your partner.
