Renewing your wedding vows: The process, costs & ideas
Looking to mark a milestone anniversary or re-commit to your partner publicly? Renewing your wedding vows is the perfect way to celebrate and share your love with others.
But what do vow renewals actually involve? Is the ceremony legal? And are restrictions on where you can hold the event itself?
We’re here to guide you through the process, from choosing who you want to lead the ceremony to deciding on a symbolic act.
What is a vow renewal?
A renewal of wedding vows is when a couple reaffirm the promises they made on their wedding day.
Typically, it takes place at a ceremony, but it has no legal standing in England. The only caveat is that couples need to already be married, and most local councils and register officers will ask to see your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
Because it’s purely symbolic, you don’t need a licensed premises. Instead, you can hold the ceremony wherever you like. You could choose a church, a hotel, a park, a beach, or a private garden.
The same goes for officiating the ceremony. You could have a registrar, a celebrant, a vicar, a family member, or a close friend. You also don’t need witnesses, and you can have the ceremony in any country, not just where you live.
Why do people renew their wedding vows?
Many couples renew their vows to re-commit to each other in front of their loved ones, or celebrate a milestone anniversary.
But here are other reasons why couples renew vows:
They want the wedding they weren’t able to have the first time (sometimes because of budget limitations)
They want to mark a new chapter or celebrate getting through a hard time together
They want to include people who weren’t there the first time around (sometimes children or grandchildren)
How to renew your wedding vows: a 5-step guide
Renewing wedding vows means choosing someone to lead the wedding vow renewal ceremony, deciding who to invite, and writing your vows.
Here’s how to renew wedding vows in five steps:
Choose someone to officiate the ceremony. Do you want a registrar or a celebrant? A registrar makes sense at registration offices, but a celebrant gives you more location flexibility. A vicar can also perform a ‘Thanksgiving for marriage’, or ask a friend or family member.
Decide on the size and scale. Maybe you want a large celebration with 80 guests, or perhaps you’re after an intimate wedding with just your nearest and dearest.
Choose a venue to accommodate your guests. If there’s a small group of you, consider hiring a function room or a restaurant. A bigger occasion benefits from the space of a country house hotel.
Update your original vows or write new wedding vows. Because there’s no legal standing, you have complete freedom to say what you wish. The best vows make specific promises, have a personal touch, and close with a hopeful statement.
Include a symbolic act. You might want to exchange new wedding rings, re-dedicate old rings, bind hands together, light a candle, or blend sand to turn your promises into a physical action.
Vow renewal ideas to inspire your large or intimate celebration
If you want an intimate vow renewal, hold a ceremony for the two of you, plus children or closest friends. Then go for a nice dinner at your favourite restaurant afterwards.
Looking for a greater sense of occasion? Hold the ceremony at a beautiful country hotel and ask some of your original wedding guests to share a few words.
You could even pick a theme from your wedding year or add an anniversary symbol. For example, use a gold ribbon to bind your hands together or decorate with ruby-red flowers.
If you’re looking for a venue in Lancashire, The Lawrence can accommodate ceremonies of all shapes and sizes. For those after a cosy, intimate affair, consider private dining experiences in our Blue Room or Courtyard Bar, perfect for 12-18 guests.
Got a bigger guest list? We can hold ceremonies of up to 80 guests, while we have function rooms like the Courtyard Room that can accommodate 130 evening guests.
Recommended reading: Creative ideas for anniversary parties.
FAQs about renewing wedding vows
Why do people renew their wedding vows?
Many couples renew their vows to re-commit to each other in front of their loved ones, or celebrate a milestone anniversary. But here are other reasons why couples renew vows:
They want the wedding they weren’t able to have the first time (sometimes because of budget limitations)
They want to mark a new chapter or celebrate getting through a hard time together
They want to include people who weren’t there the first time around (sometimes children or grandchildren)
How much does it cost to renew wedding vows?
The cost of renewing vows depends on where the ceremony takes place and who officiates it. Usually, a celebrant at a large hotel is the priciest option, while a loved one officiating a ceremony in an outdoor area is cheapest.
If you go for a registrar, check your local council website for fees. For example, Westmorland & Furness council charges £286 for a Saturday daytime ceremony at an approved venue and £135-£198 at a register office.
The average celebrant cost in the UK is £450-£1300, depending on the location and level of personalisation. At a church, there’s no fixed fee, but there likely is a cost for the building, vicar, and organist. There are other costs to consider too, like food and flowers.
Say ‘I do’ all over again at The Lawrence
The Lawrence is a dreamy, romantic backdrop for large and intimate vow renewals of less than 15 guests. Our packages include venue hire, catering, decor, entertainment, and more, with full-day and twilight options.
Ready to take the next step? Book your dream wedding venue in Lancashire.
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