Vow Renewals

A vow renewal ceremony gives a married couple the opportunity to celebrate their love and reaffirm their commitment to one another!

Bill and Nancy at the Japanese Stroll Gardens on Long Island

Why do couples renew their vows?

Of course a popular way to celebrate milestone anniversaries - 5, 10, 25 years of marriage - there also are many other reasons you may choose to renew your vows: overcoming a personal obstacle or a challenge in the relationship, recovering from an illness, revitalizing your marriage, healing from infidelity, strengthening your connection, wanting your children or grandchildren to witness your commitment and be a part of your ceremony, acknowledging a new phase in your lives like becoming empty nesters - or simply “just because.”

Your wedding day may have been such a whirlwind that an intimate vow renewal feels refreshing and grounding - just the two of you, or a small group of those closest to you, focusing purely on your love and commitment to one another. On the flip side, you may decide to have a large gathering of family and friends with a reception or shared meal following the ceremony - especially if you had chosen an intimate elopement for your wedding day or if you were not able to have the wedding celebration you had hoped for (perhaps because of financial circumstances, or maybe a world-wide pandemic, for example…)

“Danielle helped us connect even more as a couple. Throughout the entire process she was professional, personal and made us completely comfortable as if we knew her forever! We truly felt she cared so much about our ceremony.” - Brook G.

What happens in a vow renewal ceremony?

In many ways, a vow renewal ceremony is similar to a wedding ceremony. I get to know you on a deep level, learning about your marriage through a collaborative process, and creating a moving and celebratory ceremony that is as unique and heartfelt as your love for one another.

Your vow renewal ceremony will focus on YOUR story. We’ll look back to your wedding day, significant moments that you’ve experienced throughout your marriage, how your love has grown, and how your idea of marriage and the significance of your commitment have evolved over time. You will affirm the vows you made when you first said your “I do’s” and re-exchange your original wedding rings (or perhaps gift new rings to one another), and look ahead to your future together. Through it all, we will celebrate the immense and beautiful love and commitment you share.

Some additional elements you may choose to include:

Adding a symbolic unity ritual
Re-using items or re-imagining elements from your original wedding ceremony
Choosing readings that resonate with you (I have a collection of readings to share with you!)
Including children and/or grandchildren in a processional or family ritual
Writing new vows or adding to your original vows (I have resources to help!)
Whatever feels authentically meaningful to you - the possibilities are endless!

Where do vow renewal ceremonies happen?

Vow renewal ceremonies can happen at home, in a restaurant, at a winery or brewery, at a small venue or catering hall, on the beach or at a town park, or anywhere that has personal meaning to you. The biggest factors will be how many people will be present and if a reception or meal will follow the ceremony. If you are considering a public space or an outdoor location, be sure to check out possible permit requirements and have a back-up plan for inclement weather!