Why Couples Renew Their Vows and What a Vow Renewal Is

Couples renew their vows to celebrate a milestone anniversary, to mark coming through a hard time together, to thank the people who have stood by their marriage, or to make promises that fit the marriage they have now. A vow renewal is a ceremony where a married couple says their vows again, and because it carries no legal weight, you can shape it however you like.

Some couples keep it to the two of them on a beach. Others throw the party they never had the first time.

Key takeaways

A vow renewal is a ceremony for a couple who are already married.
Humanist celebrant Jane Blackman names the 5th to the 50th anniversaries as common times to renew, though any anniversary works.
Couples also renew after coming through an illness or financial strain.
Swindon Borough Council's renewal ceremony lets couples choose readings, words from family, new vows and rings.
Planning starts with your reason, because it shapes the size, the place and the vows.

What Is a Vow Renewal?

A vow renewal is a ceremony for a couple who are already married. You stand up together, often in front of family and friends, and promise again what you promised on your wedding day, or something new.

Because you are already married, nothing is legally required. A celebrant, a faith leader, one of your children or a close friend can lead it. Our guide to vow renewal etiquette covers who hosts, who to invite and what to put on the invitations.

Ceremony set by the sea with white chairs, pink and white florals and a mirrored aisle under a floral canopy

Photo: Pervez Taufiq

The Reasons Couples Choose to Renew

Writing for Humanists UK, humanist celebrant Jane Blackman describes why the couples she works with renew. Most have more than one reason.

To Celebrate a Milestone Anniversary

Blackman lists the 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 40th and 50th anniversaries as the usual moments, while noting that any anniversary is appropriate. A renewal turns the date into a day your family will remember too. If yours is a big one, see our 25th wedding anniversary ideas and how to mark a big anniversary.

After Coming Through a Hard Time

A serious illness or a stretch of financial strain can test a marriage. Blackman sees couples renew afterwards to acknowledge what they have been through together.

To Say Vows That Fit Your Marriage Now

The promises you made at 25 may not say everything you would say at 45. Blackman describes couples who want to acknowledge how their relationship has matured and changed over time. Our vow renewal vows guide has examples to start from.

To Thank the People Around You

Some couples want to express gratitude to the family and friends who surround their marriage. Blackman also calls a renewal "a wonderful excuse for a personalised, memorable party".

To Look Ahead Together

A renewal can also be a chance to share your hopes for the years to come, as a pair.

Couple standing in a reception hall beneath a ceiling of hanging white flowers

Photo: Pervez Taufiq

What Happens at a Vow Renewal Ceremony?

Swindon Borough Council's vow renewal ceremony, offered to couples married one year or fifty, lets you choose from these elements:

a personal introduction
readings that mean something to you
words from your children or grandchildren
a message from someone who was at your original wedding
a moment to remember family and friends who are no longer with you
new vows to each other
a re-dedication or exchange of new rings

How to Plan Your Vow Renewal

Decide why and when
Your reason shapes the day. A 25th anniversary might suit a big party; renewing after a hard year might suit just the two of you.
Choose where
Go back to where you married, hold it at home or travel somewhere new.
Set the guest list
Keep it as small or as large as you like, and collect RSVPs on a wedding website.
Write your vows
Repeat your original vows, write new ones, or do both.
Plan what comes after
A long lunch, a party or a trip away.

For more ways to make it personal, browse our 25 vow renewal ideas and our vow renewal destinations. Wonderland Studio's free wedding website handles invitations and RSVPs, and our anniversary trip ideas help if the renewal turns into a trip.

Plan Your Vow Renewal With Wedded Concierge

Whether it is ten people at home or a weekend abroad, Wedded Concierge can source the venue and suppliers for your renewal.

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Cover photo: Pervez Taufiq

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a vow renewal legally binding?

No. A vow renewal is a ceremonial celebration for a couple who are already legally married, so there is no licence to apply for and no paperwork to lodge. That freedom means you can hold it anywhere you like, in any style, with as many or as few guests as you want.

How many years should you wait to renew your vows?

There is no rule. Many couples choose a milestone such as the 10th, 25th or 50th anniversary, while others renew after a particularly hard or meaningful year. The right time is whenever it feels meaningful to the two of you, early in your marriage or decades in.

Who can officiate a vow renewal?

Anyone you choose. Because the ceremony has no legal effect, it does not need a registered marriage celebrant. You might ask the celebrant who married you, a faith leader, a parent, a grown-up child or a friend who knows you both well.

What is the difference between a vow renewal and a wedding?

A wedding creates a legal marriage, while a vow renewal celebrates one that already exists. A renewal has fewer traditions to follow, so you can skip the wedding party, write new vows and include the children or grandchildren who weren't there the first time.

Do you exchange rings at a vow renewal?

You can, but you don't have to. Some couples exchange new rings, others re-dedicate the rings they already wear, and some skip rings altogether. Swindon Borough Council's renewal ceremony, for example, offers either a re-dedication or an exchange of new rings as an option.