What Documents Are Needed to Renew Vows?
Married couples often renew their wedding vows to celebrate a key anniversary or to signal the end of a difficult time. Although many vow renewal ceremonies are structured much like traditional weddings, these events are not legally binding in any way. Therefore, no type of legal documentation is required. However, creating some personal documents may help your ceremony go more smoothly.
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Marriage Certificates
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It is not legally necessary to show your marriage certificate to anyone when renewing your vows. However, displaying your original marriage certificate somewhere at the reaffirmation ceremony can be a nice touch. You may also consider personally designing a new marriage certificate for the reaffirmation ceremony. The new certificate is not legally binding in any way but will be an interesting keepsake with personal value.
Guest List
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While not a formal document, the guest list is an important document to prepare. Having a well-defined list will help you field early questions about issues like whether children are invited or if the ceremony is an adult-only affair. The guest list will also help you plan your menu and seating arrangements, and it will serve as a checklist when sending invitations and receiving responses.
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Photo Checklist
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You will most likely want to remember your ceremony with formal photographs, especially if your vow renewal is happening after you've had children and perhaps grandchildren. In the aftermath of a ceremony, a checklist describing the specific groups you want photographed together may be an essential document for your photographer.
Your Vows
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In a vow renewal ceremony, vows themselves will be an obvious focus. Couples often write their own vows to be highly personal and reflect the life they've had together. Typing, mounting and professionally framing copies of the vows makes a great keepsake for couples seeking vow renewal.
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References
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