Christian Forums

I know I'm not married and as such I am not supposed to post in this part of the forum, but I am looking for some good advice.

Next Tuesday I have been called on to officiate at a couples Wedding Vow Renewal ceremony.  This will be their first anniversary (20 & 19 years old respectively) and they want to renew their vows in front of their family since they eloped when they got married and no one was present except the groom's brother.

If this were you, what would you want the minister to include in a wedding vow renewal ceremony?  Thanks for all your input.

I think I'd want all of the usual items in a wedding vow with a slight rewording to indicate an ongoing commitment rather than a brand new one.

Is this to be a full-blown wedding, or a more simpler event?

If we are going to do away with the walk down the aisle, then I'm thinking along the same lines - essentially the same wording with the current state acknowledged (Do you continue to protect, etc.) in some way.

This is going to be a simple service at a park, but she is going to have her father walk her down the aisle since she wasn't able to do that a year ago.  This definitely won't be a full blown wedding.

Quote from: spurly on Sat Jul 28, 2007 - 15:06:17
This is going to be a simple service at a park, but she is going to have her father walk her down the aisle since she wasn't able to do that a year ago.  This definitely won't be a full blown wedding.

Then I agree with Never.

Suggestions:

1. Something thanking their families for love, support and understanding over the last year.

2. Something saying we want you to know we make the same commitment in the company of witnesses we made alone a year ago.

I'm not sure what the use is, of the father escorting an already married woman down the aisle, to give her over to the man she's been one flesh with for a year...

But, well, whatever.  It's their re-wedding.

I think, maybe even more than at a wedding, at the re-wedding I'd want more involvement from the onlookers and bystanders.  I'd have a bunch of people who are comfortable doing it, to prepare one or two lines for themselves to speak to the assembly.  Lines of advice from their own longterm marriages, lines of commitment to support the couple in all their growing and loving and living together... stuff like that. 

The service went well, I just wish I had seen Janine's last advice before we had the renewal of vows ceremony.

Read Ruth... Ask them to commit to one God being their God, them to always lodge where the other lodges, to be in the same mind, to honor each other in ways of serving God, and to make the "Renewal" of their vows in their hearts every day when they get up. Ask them to pledge to always roll the toothpaste tube and not squeeze it, and to put the toilet paper on front to back.

Remind them that the renewal for life is to make a vow that what GOD joined together one year ago, they will not set usunder.  That forsaking all others, and to cleave to each other. To share the joy of their lives with others, not cutting people off but making sure in all things to honor the helpmate God gave them.

Remind them to renew that desire to see one another everyday like they did when they first had that "WOOHOO" kind of love for one another.  To help one another to honor their parents as God commanded for it is the Commandment with promise, that they may live long upon the earth.

Remind them to always laugh, share desserts, and not to toot under the covers at night.
HOW>>>> WOOOOED!! 

I think it would be more loving to keep the smell trapped under the covers.

I had an aunt and uncle who renewed their vows after many years of marriage. It was very much like an actual wedding, although I can't remember what the pastor said other than they were renewing their vows.

They should be given the opportunity to speak their feelings about each other and why they feel a desire to renew their vows to one another and affirm that they will continue to love one another and be faithful to one another.

I've been married, although I'm not now. Unfortunately, my wife was never faithful, although I was. I have two grown daughters and four grandkids, so it wasn't a total waste of time.

My wife and I've been talking about doing a renewal "ceremony" for our 25th anniversary in three years.

One suggestion husbands.

If your wife says something about renewing vows, jokes about your marriage license expiring like a driver's license are often not as funny as you think they are.