Sweet Repeats: Tips On Renewing Your Wedding Vows
By: Karen Sullen

Weddings are wonderful! That's why thousands of couples renew their vows each year. Why not? A marriage that has stood the test of time deserves to be celebrated. And what better way to celebrate your enduring love than by renewing your wedding vows? While you may want to skip registering for gifts and having that bachelorette party, there's no reason not to have the second wedding of your dreams. Here are a few wedding-theme ideas based on the reasons why couples decide to renew their vows.

Then and Now
Recreating as much of the wedding as possible can be a glorious walk down memory lane. From the officiant to the wedding party, having your original bridesmaids and groomsmen stand with you again will almost be like going back for your class reunion. You can include them in the ceremony or recognize them at the wedding. Reconnecting and renewing friendships, plan a weekend of activities with wedding welcome bags, fellowship and fun.

Honeymoon Deferred
Times may have been tight when you got married the first time so you postponed the honeymoon. Now's the time to "have your cake and eat it too" with a destination wedding or cruise ceremony with a nautical theme. You can renew your vows on the beach or at sea and have the honeymoon you've always dreamed of.

Second Ceremony, First Wedding
Maybe you were married by the Justice of the Peace and have always longed for a church wedding. Stop wondering what it would be like walking down the aisle. Do it and do it BIG! From bridesmaid's and bouquets to first dances and wedding favors, leave no detail out as you bring your dreams to life.

Stormy Weather and Rainbows
If your tumultuous but victorious marriage is a testament to the fact that the sun does shine after the storm, renew and restore your commitment to each other by renewing your vows. A morning ceremony on the beach as the sun rises can provide beautiful symbolism as would a rainbow theme.

Milestones and Memories
You've reached a beautiful milestone in your marriage, and now is the time to create a beautiful memory. Whether it's been 5, 10 or 25 years, it's an accomplishment worth celebrating. For a creative favor, try an anniversary message pen. Each click of the pen can show a different customizable message of how you've endured or how your love has grown over the years.

Disastrous Do-Over
OMG! The horror stories you've been telling over the years about the fire that broke out at your reception or the wedding dress that was ruined can now be replaced by a story of a beautiful wedding the second time around where the centerpieces are elegant and the favors are fabulous. No matter what caused things to go awry, renewing your vows is the perfect way to get a wedding do-over.

Regardless of the reason you want to renew your vows, it will be a wonderful celebration because you are marrying the love of your life—again! But remember, true renewal begins in the heart. It's a daily commitment to live more, love more and communicate more with the one you love. Be inspired to renew your marriage each and every day as you do the ordinary tasks that bind you together so long as you both shall live.