Renewal of wedding vows, a beautiful tradition.

Surely on more than one occasion you have heard or attended a marriage vow renewal ceremony, which generally takes place on the fifth, tenth, twentieth or fiftieth anniversary, although it is not mandatory that they be done on those dates, since it can happen at any stage of the relationship in which you want to do it and there are still many couples who, after years of being married, want to renew their marriage vows.

This option can also be chosen when a couple has gone through a difficult time and wants to reaffirm their commitment, or some couples even decide to renew their vows so they can have a larger celebration than they could the first time they were married. There are certain guidelines you can follow to renew your vows, but there are many ways to tailor the experience to your wishes and those of your spouse.

In this post, you'll learn more about renewing your wedding vows and what you can do if you're drawn to the idea of ​​reliving the moment of your marriage with your partner, so you can reaffirm the vows of love, fidelity, and respect you made to each other that day. It's also the perfect opportunity to show that you've been persevering in your commitment and that you intend to continue doing so in the future.

Know the ideal moment

Any married couple can renew their vows at any time, but having a special occasion can make the event even more special. Perhaps you got married in a city or country where your loved ones couldn't be present on your big day. Perhaps you didn't have enough money for a big wedding the first time, but now you're confident in planning a huge event. Perhaps you or your partner have been through a very difficult time, such as an illness or a work crisis, and you want to show that your love is stronger than ever. Perhaps you've reunited after a separation and want to reaffirm your commitment to each other.

While these reasons, along with special anniversaries, are excellent for renewing your wedding vows, you should really do it when both of you want to. There's no specific rule for making this decision.

Define the type of ceremony

This is a ceremony, which may or may not be religious (although traditionally it is), in which vows are renewed and new wedding rings are exchanged. Some couples time their vow renewals to coincide with a special moment for the couple or their family, whether it's a wedding anniversary, a special trip, for example to the Holy Land, where many people choose to renew their vows as an act of faith and love, or to return to that magical place they chose for their honeymoon. Finally, perhaps the country of origin of one of the partners.

If you opt for a religious celebration, the first thing you should do is go to the church to speak with their representatives to obtain information on the steps necessary to perform this ceremony. It is important to mention that it is not necessary for it to be the  same church as the first time, but keep in mind that they will probably ask for your marriage papers in order to properly renew these vows formally. Most commonly, this new ceremony will be similar to the  of the wedding itself, perhaps a little shorter, since the only thing they have to do is reaffirm those vows of fidelity, respect and love that they made on that first occasion.

THE SPECIAL DETAILS

1. Wedding rings.

Since this ceremony is similar to marriage, there will be some things in common with this first experience, so it's also a beautiful custom to honor the tradition of exchanging new wedding rings and being united once again by a bond of marriage , as a token of confirmation of this new commitment.

As for the rings, you can choose from any model, style, and color. At Amore Mío , we have fine 14k or 18k wedding rings, whether in rose gold, white gold, yellow gold, or even platinum, in a wide variety of designs, from classic to modern and avant-garde, to suit many budgets.

2. Write your vows.

It's not mandatory, but since the purpose of this ceremony is to renew your wedding vows and celebrate the continued love you have for your partner, writing your own vows will add a special touch. If the officiant is a clergy member, ask if you can write something in addition to the traditional reading. If the officiant is a friend or family member, you should also write down what they will say, as they will not have experience conducting a ceremony of this nature.

In your vows, you can say whatever you want, but you should focus on the positive aspects and the future, rather than talking about the difficulties you've overcome. You can mention these, but it's best to keep them positive. You can also tell the officiant anything you want them to say and reaffirm your love in this way. They might ask, "Fernando, will you continue to be Ana's husband and continue to have a happy and loving marriage?" You and your spouse will both answer "yes," and that will be enough to reaffirm your commitment.

3. Reception.

Just like at the original wedding, during the vow renewal, you can share a moment of celebration with those close to you whom you'll invite to celebrate with you. At the gathering, you can prepare some special details, such as having your original wedding album or displaying photos from your first wedding so guests can remember it. If you were married not long before the vow renewal, you can have some photos on hand to commemorate that event. Also, consider making a toast to important guests and telling everyone how much you've appreciated them over the years.

However, since it's a vow renewal, you can also do it alone with the witnesses, without having to throw a big party. However, it would be a lovely experience to have even a small group attend the celebration. Therefore, it's entirely up to you how big a deal you want the event to be . If you opt for a reception, check out our other blogs for content created to guide you through organizing your big event.

4. Travel.

If you decide to renew your wedding vows while traveling, it's best to plan everything in advance. Research different ways to celebrate, where to celebrate, and what documentation you'll need. You should also bring the wedding rings you previously purchased for the occasion, as well as the appropriate attire for this wedding, since you could be dressed as a bride and groom again (in white, for example). Don't forget to cherish every important moment.

In short, the magnitude of your engagement celebration will depend solely on you and the things that mean something to you. Enjoy it to the fullest... because it will be YOUR DAY! And don't forget to be thankful, always be thankful. That's why today, at Amore Mío, we are grateful that you allowed us to be part of your best moments. Thank you.