Births, deaths, and marriages

Renewal of vows

A Renewal of Vows ceremony is a beautiful way for couples, who are married or in a civil partnership, to celebrate their years together, commemorate a significant anniversary or recognise their continuing commitment to each other. There is no minimum or maximum amount of time following your marriage or civil partnership in which you can renew your vows. Renewing your vows can be used to celebrate any milestone or changes in a relationship such as a legal conversion.

A couple holding hands whilst putting a ring on

Celebrating your years together

The ceremony can be as grand or as simple as you wish and is your chance to re-declare your love for one another in front of your family and friends. You might repeat your original vows or perhaps even use totally new words to express your feelings.

Milestones, such as a significant anniversary, are a great time for renewing vows. There are also many other personal reasons too. For example, you and your partner may have had children since your wedding and want to include them in your second ceremony. Above all it is a perfect time to reflect, celebrate and look forward to your future together as partners for life.

What happens at a renewal of vows ceremony

Your ceremony can be held at a venue of your choice, including our Town Hall ceremony rooms, and will be conducted by one of our fully trained celebrant registrars. We will provide you with a framework on which you can build a unique and special ceremony that can be tailored to your own individual requirements. You may wish to include some of the following choices:

  • Introduction and welcome
  • Music (this could be music featured at your original ceremony)
  • Readings or poems, these could be written by yourselves or your guests
  • Your own personal promises and pledges to renew your vows
  • Exchange of rings, either your original wedding rings or perhaps a new eternity/celebratory ring
  • Contributions from a special guest(s)
  • Closing words

The ceremony will conclude with the signing of a commemorative certificate by yourselves, our registrars and two witnesses of your choice.

Please use our online form to contact the ceremonies team about a marriage or civil partnership query , for more information on how to renew your vows.