A vow renewal and commitment ceremony are non-legal ceremonies.
What is a vow renewal?
Is usually for a married couple to reaffirm their vows.
What is a commitment ceremony?
Celebrates the love and partnership between two people without getting married.
Vow Renewal
The vows a couple say at their wedding are restated at a vow renewal ceremony.
Vow renewals are popular at special occasions
- Wedding milestones such as 10, 15, 20, 25 to 50 years
- Perhaps the couple has a small wedding but would like to share their celebration with family and friends. They can’t have a wedding but they can celebrate at a vow renewal.
- A event or situation has occurred, such as an illness, injury, infidelity or separation and they wish to affirm or reunite with ceremony reaffirming their vows.
- Some couples may choose to renew their vows so that their children may witness the occasion.
- Birth of a child
Renewing wedding vows reaffirms the love two people share and brings a couple together, they feel closer as it is a celebration of their marriage and promises made on the wedding day.
Not a Legal Ceremony
A vow renewal ceremony is not legal ceremony and does not have any legal paperwork, it can be done at any time after the wedding.
As a vow renewal is not a legal ceremony, anyone can officiate it. You can ask a family member or friend, or you can hire an celebrant, perhaps the celebrant who officiated your wedding
Planning a wedding vow renewal
Your vow renewal can be casual, perhaps at a family barbeque or very formal at a venue. There are no rules or restrictions, and as you’ve already experienced your wedding day,
There is no reason why the bride cannot wear white and the groom a tuxedo. Or you may choose to be barefoot on a beach. It’s your decision and meaningful to you as a couple.
What’s in a Vow Renewal
A vow renewal is a reflection of your history and important events along the way. Birth of children, relocation of your home, key milestones and events.
You may wish to exchange gifts or eternity rings to mark the occasion.
You may choose to involve your children or grandchildren or other family members
Commitment Ceremony
Commitment ceremonies vary in nature but generally celebrate the symbolic joining of two people, or two families.
For some people it is not possible (or preferable) to have a legal wedding, however, they may still wish to publicly acknowledge their love and commitment to one another.
A commitment ceremony does not have any of the legal wording or legal paperwork of a wedding. There is no need to see your legal identification papers. It is similar to a wedding but not legally binding and is not regognised by law.
It is a personal affirmation of the love you share and your commitment to a life long journey together.
Commitment Ceremony follows the same format as a traditional wedding. You may choose to have a bridal party, vows, rings, kiss and plenty of champagne! However, certain legal words are removed from the ceremony and a commemorative certificate is signed, rather than a legal marriage certificate. It is similar to a wedding with the exception of legal paperwork. You do receive a Keepsake Certificate but not a Certificate of Marriage. Ceremony
It’s important to note that you cannot ‘pretend’ to get legally married in a commitment ceremony or non-legal wedding. As your celebrant, I am obligated legally to explain to guests that the marriage has already taken place (or will not take place). This seems daunting but it can be done in a simple and sympathetic manner, with wording developed in consultation with you.