Renewal of Vows Ceremony
Unlike a standard wedding, a Vow Renewal is symbolic and ceremonial only. Because the couple is already legally married, no marriage license is required, and there are no documents to file with the county.
This grants you and the couple freedom to be creative. You can perform this ceremony anywhere - on a beach, in a backyard, or at a formal venue - without worrying about legal jurisdiction. Use the script provided as a foundation, but feel free to personalize it with stories from the couple’s life together. Commemorate this special occasion with our keepsake Renewal of Vows Certificate.
1. Welcome & Opening
A Simple Renewal of Vows Script for the Officiant
“Good relationships never stop growing. Like fine wine, they get better with age. __________ and __________, you have now been married ____ years and through all the years of your journey together, you have now come to this beautiful setting, so that you could renew your vow and commitment of love for each other.”
“No marriage is perfect. As you continue in this union, you already know that it will continue to take a lot of love and work to keep your relationship an ongoing success."
"Many couples tend to think of marriage as a 50/50 proposition. Actually, the best relationships are 90/10. If you both give 90 percent and take only 10 percent, you will have a formula likely to continue to bring both of you happiness for a lifetime.”
“As you continue on your journey together, I ask you to remember this advice: Let your love be stronger than your anger. Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break. Believe the best of your beloved rather than the worst. Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it. Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship. Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends. Say, "I love you" every day.”
Add a reading or song (optional)
2. Vows
“________ and ________, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely.”
HUSBAND:
“With this understanding, do you ________, continue to take ________ as your beloved wife? Will you continue to be a tender, faithful husband?"
"Will you continue to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto her?”
WIFE:
“With this understanding, do you ________, continue to take ________ as your beloved husband? Will you continue to be a tender, faithful wife?"
"Will you continue to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto him?”
Add a reading or song (optional)
3. Rings
“________ and ________ have rings as the outward symbols of your ongoing commitment to each other.”
“From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of wedded love. An unbroken and never ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending.”
“________, hold ________'s hand, touch her ring, symbolically giving it to her again, and say to her these words. From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge.”
“________, hold ________'s hand, touch his ring, symbolically giving it to him again, and say to him these words. From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge.”
“Let these rings serve as the symbol of your continued love and commitment to each other and may they also serve as a sign of your continued happiness and joy.”
4. Closing
“May the sun bring you new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away your worries. And may you live the days of your lives in peace, love, and happiness.”
5. Pronouncement
“________ and ________, having witnessed your vows of affirmation with all who are assembled here, and by the authority of love itself, I do affirm that you have expressed your desire to continue as husband and wife.”
“You may seal your vows, and confirm your continued commitment and love for each other, with a kiss.”
6. Presentation
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, once again as husband and wife: ________ and ________.”
7. The Ceremony Ends
Sample renewal vows:
"My dearest ________, it was ___ years ago that we first pledged our commitment to one another, but it seems like just yesterday that I was standing across from my [beautiful bride/handsome groom]. We have been through a lot together - laughter and tears, joy and sorrow - and through all those times, I can honestly say, I loved you every step of the way. Today, I want to renew those vows and again pledge my love and life to you. I promise to be there for you in sickness and health, in middle and old age, in good and bad hair days. Whether you feel thin, fat, beautiful, ugly, fit and trim, or out of shape I will always think that you are perfect - perfect for me. I am here to be your supporter, your confidant, and your best friend. You are my [nickname or other]. I have been blessed for the last ___ years and am thrilled that I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you."
"________, in the past I have taken you for granted. I have put others before you. I have done things I am not proud of. And I have often been wrong. On the other hand, I have always loved you and stood beside you. I am here today to move forward with a renewed commitment to you, our love, and our lives together. I pledge that from this day forward you will be my number one priority. I promise to be there for you in all that life brings our way. It is because of you that I am here today and I vow to give you all that I am and all that I have for the rest of our lives together. This is my solemn promise."