How to Ask Someone to Renew Wedding Vows
Whether you have been married for five years or 25 years, throw a party and celebrate your marriage with a vow renewal or affirmation ceremony. Maybe you want to relive history by restating your vows, never took that fancy honeymoon to the Caribbean or just want to celebrate your marriage. After knowing that a vow renewal is in the cards, individuals need to decide who to invite, where to hold the ceremony, the type of reception that will be held and what food to serve.
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Instructions
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Bring up the idea of renewing your vows. You can do this by formally proposing to renew your vows or by coming to a mutual agreement. Other fun ways to "re-pop the question" include asking your spouse to go on a scavenger hunt to find you at the end with the proposal, arranging a romantic day and asking at the end of it, or taking your spouse back to the spot where you originally proposed marriage, and asking there.
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Make a list of your favorite spots that you enjoy going to as a couple. This could be where you first got married, your favorite hiking spot, where you first went on a date, where you had your first kiss or where you went on your honeymoon. Choose one from the list and have your vow renewal ceremony there.
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Read aloud the vows you shared at your wedding in addition to your favorite traits about your partner, or reflect on your history as a couple with memorable anecdotes. Another thing you can do is rewrite new vows to make the vow renewal ceremony different from the original marriage ceremony.
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Invite guests who were present at your original wedding, as well as their extended families. If you're renewing your vows 20 years after your marriage, then invite new guests who may have not known you at your original wedding.
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Send out invitations like you would for any party, but specify that it's for a vow renewal. Let your guests know in the invitations if they need to dress formally or casually and if you're having a small party after the ceremony or a full reception.
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Set up a simple ceremony that's smaller and more laid back if you're renewing vows before your 20th anniversary. If you're renewing vows after your 20th anniversary, a more lavish ceremony and party is customary.
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Wear something that goes with your theme. If the theme is causal, dress in something more casual, but if it's elegant, than dress in something more elegant. You still want to stand out, but can be more flexible about proper dress than you were at the original wedding.
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Have a reception that's casual or elegant. It's really up to you because your invitees are simply guests, rather than witnesses like at your original wedding. Treat it like an anniversary party and entertain your guests as you see fit.
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Have a cake at the party, but go with an anniversary cake rather than a wedding cake. Like with any party, you will want to feed your guests, but whether you want to serve a full meal or just appetizers is up to you.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't ask for guests to bring gifts or sign up for a gift registry. This isn't customary for a vow renewal ceremony. Some guests may still insist on bringing a gift, which is fine, but you can always tell them that something like making a donation to your favorite or a local charity is a great gift.
References
- Photo Credit Marc Debnam/Digital Vision/Getty Images
