Friday, August 6, 2010

Vow Renewals: How Soon Is Too Soon?

One Friday night not so long ago, while I was getting my weekly “Say Yes To the Dress” fix, I watched wide-eyed as the show featured the story of a bride and groom renewing their vows after just one year of marriage.

True, a lot of celebrities now do this as well, complete with guest lists, ceremonies, receptions, and enough hoopla to rival the couple’s first wedding. But I’m not sure whether planning another extravagant celebration in our honor just one year after the first would feel appropriate to me.


Granted, the couple on “Say Yes” planned to have a private ceremony on the beach, and the gown may have been the only large purchase they made for the day. But even so, shopping for another wedding dress so soon after buying the first seems pretty over-the-top.

Now, that’s not to say that I don’t hope to plan a vow renewal someday. I do. It’s the “when” and the “how” I’m not so sure about right now (although a beach in Hawaii may have to be part of the mix).


One thing I am sure about, though, is that on June 4, 2011, I plan to be kicking back on an Alaskan cruise. And instead of spending the next year planning another wedding for myself, I’d rather pour my passion into helping other brides make their dreams come true.

What are your thoughts about vow renewals? Do you plan to do it someday? If so, how many years do you think you'll wait, and what type of ceremony do you envision?

(Photo Credits: Alex Neumann Photography)

10 comments:

  1. We made a Ketubah so our vows are hanging on our wall for us to read every day. They are so special to me and I love that there is a beautiful reminder of them on our bedroom wall (so its still private - its not on show for every guest to see).

    I would love to renew our vows but I would never do a big party - I think it'd be great as a 10 or 20 year anniversary - and yes, an island beach is a huge requirement!

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  2. We'll probably renew ours on our 10 or 20 year anniversary. We love cruising, so we'll probably either do it on a cruise ship or on an island that we stop at.

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  3. I agree with you, I think its too soon. I too would like for us to do this at some point, maybe 10 year anniversary..

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  4. I would love to do a vow renewal but I think the absolute earliest I would consider would be maybe 5 years. More likely to do it at 10 years. Preferably something small and intimate on a beach somewhere that isn't expensive or take a lot of planning. For a big anniversary like 25 years then possibly a bigger party.

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  5. Hmmm . . . one year does seem a bit too soon, but if it's important to the couple and they keep it small and intimate, I say go for it :) I would love to renew our vows one day, but probably not until 10 or maybe even 25 years of marriage. And I totally would NOT want to plan another wedding next year - it's so much work, and I'm looking forward to moving on to other projects in my life!

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  6. I think 1 year is too soon. I am hoping for our 10th anniversary..(which is in 2 years), but my hubby doesn't really want to :(

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  7. I love the idea of vow renewals but much further down the line...like 5th, 10th, 20th anniversary maybe. It also depends on what you consider a vow renewal...is it a full on second wedding and reception or just an intimate little ceremony with the two of you and maybe a handful of guests on a beach, in a garden, etc?

    I love that you'll be on a cruise for your first anniversary. Have no idea what we'll be doing if anything :)

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  8. We're thinking 10 years, but I hope to get my 'upgrade' diamond at 5 years. :o)

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  9. I saw that episode too. I love "Say yes to the dress"! I thought that it was really sweet. Yes, it was really soon, and I personally wouldn't do it, but it did seem really special and important to them and that's all that matters, right?
    By the way, I love your bouquet so much! It looks very whimsical and beautiful!

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  10. Yeah i agree 1 year is too soon; i would think maybe 20 years but havent really thought about it at all!

    For our anniversary, im hoping we can go somewhere with the airmiles we collected with all the wedding purchases!

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