Renewing marriage vows has become an increasingly popular way for couples to celebrate their love and mark important milestones in their journey together.
Though it feels like a modern trend, the idea has deep Irish roots. Under ancient Celtic and Brehon traditions, marriage was seen as a living partnership that could be reaffirmed or adjusted over time – a reflection of life’s natural rhythm of growth and renewal.
Today, that same spirit is alive in Ireland’s modern vow renewal ceremonies. These events aren’t legal formalities but heartfelt celebrations that allow couples to pause, reflect, and recommit to one another. They’re an opportunity to look back on everything you’ve built together – and to look forward to the next chapter with intention and joy.
The Beauty of Renewal
There’s a lovely symbolism in the idea that every few years, we naturally renew ourselves. The old saying that “every cell in the body changes over seven years” may not be exact science, but it captures something true: as humans, we evolve. Our relationships evolve too. Instead of fearing the “seven-year itch,” many couples are reclaiming it as a positive moment – a chance to consciously say, “I still choose you.”
For Irish couples, this idea resonates beautifully with our heritage. The ancient hand-fasting tradition – literally “tying the knot” – embodies renewal and commitment. Whether or not couples truly re-tied that knot every seven years, the symbolism remains powerful today: love isn’t static, it’s a living promise we make again and again.
Why Couples Renew Their Vows
In contemporary Ireland, vow renewals are blossoming. Some couples mark major milestones – 10, 25, or 50 years together – while others celebrate new beginnings: rediscovering each other after raising children, stepping into retirement, or simply wanting to express gratitude after weathering life’s storms.
For many, the motivation is deeply emotional. There’s something profoundly moving about standing side by side, years or decades later, and saying “we still do.” You know each other’s strengths, quirks, and stories – and still choose one another. That moment is often even more meaningful than the wedding day itself.
Others see their renewal as a joyful celebration of family. Children, grandchildren, and close friends can be included in the ceremony, making it a true gathering of generations. And for couples who married during the pandemic or had small weddings years ago, a renewal can be the perfect opportunity to finally celebrate in the way they always dreamed.
Symbolic rituals can add depth and meaning too. A simple hand-fasting using ribbons in your family colours, an “oathing stone” from your favourite beach, or the lighting of a unity candle can all beautifully express your ongoing connection. Irish poetry, traditional blessings, or favourite songs can be woven in for local flavour – turning your renewal into a celebration that feels both timeless and uniquely yours.
Aside from anniversaries, significant life chapters often prompt couples to renew vows. One big chapter is after raising children. When the kids have grown up or flown the nest, parents may find themselves rediscovering each other as partners, not just as “Mum and Dad.” It’s increasingly common for Irish “empty nesters” in their 40s, 50s or beyond to celebrate this new phase of life by reaffirming their commitment in a ceremony. As the Humanist Association of Ireland notes, a renewal can serve to remind each other why they fell in love in the first place, in the context of all they’ve built together – and also to let their children (and grandkids) share in the joy of that enduring partnership. After focusing on family for so long, the couple takes centre stage again for a heartfelt celebration of how far they’ve come and where they still want to go together.
Similarly, entering retirement or a significant birthday (say, both turning 60) might inspire a vow renewal. Retiring often means a couple can spend more time together, and some use this moment to set new intentions for their marriage going forward. It’s not uncommon for a post-retirement pair to say, “let’s renew our vows and start the next chapter with a fresh promise.”
Not all vow renewals are tied to happy milestones; some follow challenging times and carry the spirit of a “new beginning.” Over the years, couples face illness, financial hardship, estrangements, or other serious tests of their marriage. Those who come out the other side sometimes choose to renew their vows as a way of closing one chapter and starting anew. For example, couples who survived a rough patch or even a temporary separation might create a ceremony to formally recommit to each other. One academic study found couples in that situation felt the renewal “strengthened our marriage; it jelled it… the official wedding was very small and really didn’t mean much except, ‘Oh, now we’re legally married.’ But this one tied us emotionally… it was a very romantic, joyful experience. Hearing vows spoken again with the wisdom of experience can indeed be healing. It’s a way of saying, “We’ve been through fire and come out stronger – and here’s to the road ahead.”
Of course, sometimes the motivation is simply the desire for the wedding you never had. In Ireland, countless couples married under COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-21, often with only a few witnesses and none of the usual fanfare. Many of them are now making up for it by hosting vow renewal ceremonies where all the family and friends who missed the big day can finally gather and celebrate. These events feel like the belated wedding reception – except the couple is likely a bit more relaxed now that the legal bit was done years prior! Even beyond pandemic cases, any couple who had a very small or quick wedding might later plan a renewal ceremony to experience that dream day without the pressure of legalities. An Irish wedding planner noted that some people renew their vows “to make up for having a small wedding or elopement” – essentially giving themselves a second chance at a big celebration. And on the other end of the spectrum, there are those who had a huge traditional wedding, but later, perhaps after 10 or 15 years, crave an intimate, personal ceremony just for them. The beauty of a vow renewal is its flexibility: there are no rules about when, where, or how you should do it.
Your Ceremony, Your Way
As an independent celebrant in Ireland, I’ve seen first-hand how magical these ceremonies can be. Because vow renewals have no legal requirements, there’s complete freedom to design something that feels authentic and personal. You can exchange vows on a windswept cliff at sunset, in your garden surrounded by family, or at the same spot where you first said “I do.”
Together, we create a ceremony that tells your story – how you met, what you’ve built, the laughter, the challenges, and the love that has carried you through. Many couples write fresh vows that reflect who they are today; others weave in parts of their original promises. I help shape those words so they flow naturally, capturing your unique bond with warmth and sincerity.
The Heart of It All
Ultimately, a vow renewal is not about recreating your wedding day – it’s about celebrating who you are now. It’s a pause in life’s busy flow to say, “Look how far we’ve come, and how much further we want to go together.” Whether grand or intimate, traditional or playful, these ceremonies are filled with love, laughter, and gratitude.
Ireland’s landscape and heritage lend a poetic backdrop to such moments – from castle ruins and forest glades to quiet lakesides or the family home. Wherever it’s held, what matters most is the meaning behind the words: the decision to keep growing together.
If you’re considering renewing your vows, I would be honoured to help you craft a ceremony that reflects your journey and your hopes for the future – one that feels deeply personal, true to your story, and infused with the magic of Ireland.
In the end, it all comes back to those simple, powerful words: “I still do.
