Live Love Mom

by: Stephanie Noircent

Most people have heard of renewing your vows, but what is it exactly?

A vow renewal ceremony is sort of like a mini wedding. You either repeat the vows you have already made on your wedding day, or you can make new ones. It's a private and meaningful event. It can be celebrated with a few close friends and family, or completely privately between the two of you. It can also be more lavish than your first wedding for a number of different reasons. It's a way to celebrate love between an already married couple and affirm their commitment and relationship.

It's definitely a cute idea to propose to your spouse. There are no rings needed this time around, so you can propose with a cute message. You can write a poem, leave a card somewhere special, write it on a birthday cake, on a lunch bag, and more. You can do it however you want, and keep it as simple as you would like.

You can wear whatever you would like. Your dress can absolutely be white if that's what you want. You can wear a suit, a bikini if it's on the beach, a t-shirt that says "bride" on it, whatever you want! You can absolutely have a bouquet as well. You can use yours from your previous wedding if it's a silk bouquet, you can make up a brooch bouquet, or even pick some wildflowers for the occasion.

You can still have a bachelor and bachelorette party. It's a great excuse to hang out with your best friends and close family members again. A bridal shower however isn't needed, as this isn't usually a super expensive event. If it is the huge dream wedding you wanted however, then go for it. You also don't need to have a bridal party if you already had one at your previous wedding.

The ceremony can be wherever you want. You can have it in your backyard, at your local religious institution, a rented out venue, or on a vacation abroad. Plenty of five star hotels offer wedding or vow renewal packages. It'll be even more special if you pick someplace that has meaning for you, like a childhood park or the place you had your first date. A ceremony isn't mandatory; in fact, you can just recite your vows in private and then have a party afterwards. More and more people are choosing to save their vows for a time when the couple is alone, and recite the standard vows at a wedding or vow renewal ceremony.

In the ceremony, vows are exchanged just like a wedding. You can use the vows you used at your wedding, or you can use new ones. The couple shares in the magic of the moment and often reflect how their marriage has gone and all the happy times, and of course appreciate the love that they share together. Rings can also be exchanged, whether they are new rings or the rings they exchanged during their original wedding. Often a couple walks down the aisle together, or arrive at the same time down the altar from opposite sides of the room. You can always have your child walk you down the aisle too. Since a vow renewal ceremony is not a legal marriage ceremony, anyone can officiate. You can self-officiate the vow renewal, have a family member or friend do it, or even your oldest child. If you feel more comfortable, you can also hire a minister or religious officiate of your choosing.

A reception like a ceremony is not mandatory, but it is pretty fun to have. You can gather and celebrate with the people that mean the most to you. You can all go to a restaurant, or a bar for a cocktail party, a club for a dance party, or mingle at home. You can order delivery from a caterer or a fast food restaurant, or even hire a private chef for the evening or a food truck. The options are endless! You can also order a cake from a local bakery or have one custom-made, or just buy one from a grocery store. You can even bake your own! If this is a "second wedding" to you, proceed as you would in a normal wedding. Otherwise, a father-daughter dance isn't necessary. Have all the married couples join you in dancing for the first time since you've renewed your vows, then everyone can join in. You can absolutely have music and dancing at your reception.

You can invite anyone you want. Since expenses multiply the more people you invite, the frugal option is definitely to invite as little people as possible. But if it's to make up for a small wedding, you can invite everyone. Be sure not to leave out any close friends or family. You also don't have to invite anyone; some couples choose to have a vow renewal just the two of them, or just them and their children. Unless this is a "second wedding" for you, there is no need for a gift registry. 

Got more ideas to share? Comment below!