Re-Tying the Knot - Vow Renewal Ceremonies

Looking to say “I do” again with the same woman? The trend for vow renewal ceremonies is has been on the rise in the last 10 years with some wedding vendors reporting that these recommitment ceremonies represent between five and 10 percent of their total business. A vow renewal is a great way to honor a landmark anniversary (such as 5, 10, 25 or 50), as a reaffirmation after a rocky road, or just a good excuse to celebrate your spouse and a healthy relationship.

Celebrities have also popularized vow renewal ceremonies, remarrying each other in spectacular, over-the-top style. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon renewed their vows after four years of wedding bliss, in Paris atop the Eiffel Tower nonetheless. Reality star Khloe Kardashian and her basketball playing husband Lamar Odom said “I do” again on their one year anniversary and hip-hops royal couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z kept the beat going with a wedding redo. Supermodel Heidi Klum and husband, singer Seal, were famous for their multiple vow renewal ceremonies. Each year they would have a themed party; one year it was a white trash wedding and another it was a beach wedding. But, alas, despite the high number of nuptials, the couple called it quits in 2012.

The world record for the largest number of vow renewals (with the same person) is held by Lauren Lubeck Blair and David E. Hough Blair who have married each other 101 times. The lovebirds originally got married in 1984 and have been getting renewed in different locations around the world, breaking the original Guinness World Record Book of 65 in 2001. Now each time the get re-married, they are resetting the old record they previously set.

If you are planning a vow renewal, the ceremony and party can be whatever you want it to be. It can be just the two of you of at favorite destination, a small casual gathering, or a large fancy affair. Some couples like to go all out on the vow renewal, especially if they now have plenty of money to celebrate in a grand fashion. You know, break out the fancy champagne, caviar and golden groomsmen gifts. Luxury cigar humidors and executive leather goods (like our Napa leather business card case) are two of our favorite gifts for groomsmen. Other couples will find it more fitting to have a laid-back event where their children or grandkids will feel comfortable. Other couples will parlay a recommitment ceremony into a vacation, check out Las Vegas, cruise ships and island resorts for easy-breezy package deals.

Vow renewal ceremonies are a great way to incorporate your family into the special day. Seeing their parents reaffirm their love in a public way will set a firm foundation for their future marriage union. If still in touch, it is meaningful to include as many as the “old” wedding attendants as possible including your best man and groomsmen. How fun it might be to invite the original ring bearer and flower girl and effuse about how they are now all grown up. You may now have gained new friendships that you’d like to include in the big day. Now grown into adults or older children, your sons may ever serve in the capacity of groomsmen. Don’t forget to thank all of your attendants with groomsmen gifts to show them how special they have been all these years. GroomStand.com has an impressive selection of gifts for groomsmen that will make wonderful keepsakes of this important day.

Are you considering “re-tying the knot,” how many years has it been since the original wedding day? Let us know in the comments below.