Hot Trends for Vow Renewal Attendants: Make It Personal and Modern

Discover modern trends for vow renewal attendants. From attire to floral ideas, learn how to personalize your vow renewal party with creative touches.

5.2 min readCategories: Ceremony Ideas
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A quick overview of the topics covered in this article.

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When it comes to vow renewal attendants, there are no rules! Unlike traditional weddings, vow renewals allow you the freedom to get creative and make the experience uniquely yours. Whether you want a casual, intimate ceremony or a grand, formal event, this is your chance to celebrate your journey together. From choosing who will stand beside you to deciding what they’ll wear, let’s explore the latest trends for vow renewal attendants.

Break the Rules: It’s Your Ceremony!

Gone are the days of rigid traditions. For vow renewals, you can completely customize your attendants and style to reflect your relationship. Forget about traditional wedding party rules where brides have bridesmaids and grooms have groomsmen. For a vow renewal, mix it up! Have no attendants, only your children, or invite your closest friends—regardless of gender—to stand with you.

Modern Ideas:

  • Mixed-Gender Attendants: Don’t feel limited by traditional gender roles. Invite friends or family to be your attendants, regardless of gender.
  • Children as Attendants: Have your children or grandchildren take the spotlight as your attendants, symbolizing the family you’ve built together.
  • Friends Who Are Couples: Invite other couples who have supported your marriage to be part of your vow renewal party. It’s a celebration of shared love and friendship!

Unique Tip:
Forget about equal numbers! If you and your spouse have different numbers of attendants, there’s no need to balance it out. Focus on what feels meaningful to you.

Create Balance with Attendants

If your vow renewal party includes a variety of people—different genders, numbers, and roles—don’t stress about where everyone will stand. Modern vow renewals are all about flexibility.

Creative Ways to Arrange Your Attendants:

  • Intermix the Group: Instead of separating by gender or sides, mix your attendants. Stand together as one united group of friends and family.
  • Circle of Love: Have your attendants form a half-circle around you during the ceremony. This setup symbolizes the love and support that surrounds your relationship.
  • Solo or Paired Entrances: Let your attendants walk down the aisle alone, in pairs, or even mixed-gender pairs—whatever makes the most sense for your ceremony.

Unique Tip:
If you have a small number of attendants, consider having them stand beside you in an intimate setting, or walk down the aisle together as a sign of unity.

Attire: It’s Time to Get Creative

Choosing attire for your vow renewal attendants is another opportunity to express your style. Whether you go for elegant, laid-back, or something totally unique, the options are endless.

Hot Trends in Attendant Attire:

  • Color Coordination: Pick a color palette and let your attendants choose their own outfits within that range. This gives them flexibility while maintaining a cohesive look.
  • Mixed Patterns or Styles: Consider having your attendants wear different patterns, such as florals and solids, or a mix of styles, like dresses and jumpsuits. This is perfect for a more casual, laid-back vow renewal.
  • Formal But Fun: If you want a formal look, select matching attire but with a twist. For example, have all female attendants wear the same color in different styles, or have male attendants wear the same suit but with unique, colorful ties.

Unique Tip:
Encourage your attendants to personalize their outfits with accessories like scarves, jewelry, or fun shoes that reflect their personality.

Unique Flower Ideas for Your Vow Renewal

Flowers are an integral part of any ceremony, but you don’t have to stick with traditional bouquets and boutonnieres. Modern vow renewals allow for fun and creative floral arrangements.

Trendy Floral Ideas:

  • Individualized Bouquets: Let each attendant carry a bouquet featuring different flowers or colors. This adds variety while keeping the floral theme consistent.
  • Monochrome Magic: Choose a single color and have each bouquet or boutonniere designed with various flowers in different shades of that color.
  • Floral Accessories: Consider floral hairpieces, wrist corsages, or floral necklaces as alternatives to traditional bouquets. Boutonnieres can also feature non-floral elements like feathers, greenery, or herbs for a unique twist.

Unique Tip:
For a personal touch, have your bouquet composed of the flowers from each attendant’s bouquet, symbolizing the love and support they bring to your relationship.

Aisle Arrangements: March to Your Own Beat

The processional and recessional are key moments in any ceremony, but for a vow renewal, you can break from tradition and make it your own.

Creative Processional Ideas:

  • Mix it Up: Attendants can walk down the aisle solo, in pairs, or even in mixed-gender groups. For a larger party, opt for single file entrances.
  • Unique Entrances: If you’re renewing vows at a casual location, such as a beach or backyard, consider having your attendants walk barefoot or carry personal items instead of flowers.
  • Walk Together: Many couples opt to walk down the aisle together during vow renewals, symbolizing their continued partnership.

Unique Tip:
Coordinate with your venue to see if they allow flexibility in the processional. If your ceremony is outside, let your attendants walk from different directions, meeting in the middle.

Pet Attendants: A Modern, Fun Twist

Why not include your furry family members in your vow renewal? Having your pets as attendants is a fun and memorable way to add personality to your day.

Pet Attendant Ideas:

  • Ring Bearer or Flower Pet: If your pet is well-behaved, they can carry the rings or wear a floral wreath as they walk down the aisle.
  • Dressed for the Occasion: Dress your pet in a mini tuxedo or floral collar to make them look the part.
  • Pet-Inspired Decor: If your pet can’t attend in person, consider featuring them in your save-the-dates, invitations, or escort cards.

Unique Tip:
Make sure to have a designated handler for your pet to keep them comfortable and calm during the ceremony.

Final Thoughts on Modern Vow Renewal Attendants

Your vow renewal is a celebration of your journey together, and having the right attendants by your side makes it even more meaningful. Whether you want to mix up the tradition or keep things simple, the latest trends for vow renewal attendants focus on creativity, personalization, and having fun. From unique attire to meaningful floral arrangements and even including pets, this is your opportunity to make your ceremony truly one-of-a-kind.

6 Comments

  1. Melissa Skidmore October 12, 2014 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    Is it tacky for a vow renewal for me to wear a wedding dress since we didn’t have a formal wedding when we got married in 1985. Our children and grandchildren will be the only ones in the renewal party but for the after party should I do center pieces, favors and a wedding cake? The after party will be more of a cook out than a reception other than we will have a 1st dance. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I just want to have our family and friends celebrate our 30th anniversary and we’ve wanted to renew our vows for several years but we’re never able to afford to do so.

    • Karie October 13, 2014 at 1:32 pm - Reply

      One of the beautiful things about a vow renewal is that there are no rules. You can absolutely wear a wedding dress to renew your vows – be it white, ivory, pink, red, or whatever you fancy. The days of white dresses being reserved for virgin or first time brides are long gone, so you should feel free to wear any dress your heart desires.

      Your party can be as fancy as you like. While many people tend to think of favors and centerpieces as things typically found at weddings, they are actually entirely appropriate for any party. In fact, they were quite common for any party in years gone by and even today are typically found at birthday celebrations, holiday parties, showers, and other parties. A favor is something you give guests as a token of your appreciate for coming to your celebration or as a memento of the occasion. Centerpieces provide you with an excellent opportunity to add color and interest to your celebration. Potted plants, fresh cut flowers, floral arrangements, single layer cakes on cake stands, framed photos, and other decorative items all make lovely centerpieces for a vow renewal.

      As for a cake, you can make it as fancy or simple as your celebration. Always dreamed of a white fondant covered three layer cake? Then have it! Love a more fun and casual cake – how about cupcakes? Or perhaps your dreams are filled with butter cream icing? Any of these will make for a wonderful treat for your guests and is the perfect way to celebrate your vow renewal.

      Cookouts are perfect for vow renewal receptions! Pick easy to cook foods the two of you love and recruit your family and friends to pitch in or bring a dish. You can even surprise them with your ceremony by simply inviting them to a cookout for a more casual feel. It’s a great way to keep otherwise anticipated guest expectations of the celebration at bay, while planning a vow renewal that is just what the two of you want.

      If you’re planning to hold your celebration outdoors, be sure to check out these two articles:

      You might also find our “Sample Vows for Renewing Your Wedding Vows After Many Years Together” article helpful as you plan your day!

      Congratulations and best wishes for a vow renewal that is everything you hoped and more!

      If you have more questions, please feel free to email karie@idostill.com or check out our Facebook page.

  2. Melissa Skidmore October 12, 2014 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    Is it tacky for a vow renewal for me to wear a wedding dress since we didn’t have a formal wedding when we got married in 1985. Our children and grandchildren will be the only ones in the renewal party but for the after party should I do center pieces, favors and a wedding cake? The after party will be more of a cook out than a reception other than we will have a 1st dance. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I just want to have our family and friends celebrate our 30th anniversary and we’ve wanted to renew our vows for several years but we’re never able to afford to do so.

    • Karie October 13, 2014 at 1:32 pm - Reply

      One of the beautiful things about a vow renewal is that there are no rules. You can absolutely wear a wedding dress to renew your vows – be it white, ivory, pink, red, or whatever you fancy. The days of white dresses being reserved for virgin or first time brides are long gone, so you should feel free to wear any dress your heart desires.

      Your party can be as fancy as you like. While many people tend to think of favors and centerpieces as things typically found at weddings, they are actually entirely appropriate for any party. In fact, they were quite common for any party in years gone by and even today are typically found at birthday celebrations, holiday parties, showers, and other parties. A favor is something you give guests as a token of your appreciate for coming to your celebration or as a memento of the occasion. Centerpieces provide you with an excellent opportunity to add color and interest to your celebration. Potted plants, fresh cut flowers, floral arrangements, single layer cakes on cake stands, framed photos, and other decorative items all make lovely centerpieces for a vow renewal.

      As for a cake, you can make it as fancy or simple as your celebration. Always dreamed of a white fondant covered three layer cake? Then have it! Love a more fun and casual cake – how about cupcakes? Or perhaps your dreams are filled with butter cream icing? Any of these will make for a wonderful treat for your guests and is the perfect way to celebrate your vow renewal.

      Cookouts are perfect for vow renewal receptions! Pick easy to cook foods the two of you love and recruit your family and friends to pitch in or bring a dish. You can even surprise them with your ceremony by simply inviting them to a cookout for a more casual feel. It’s a great way to keep otherwise anticipated guest expectations of the celebration at bay, while planning a vow renewal that is just what the two of you want.

      If you’re planning to hold your celebration outdoors, be sure to check out these two articles:

      You might also find our “Sample Vows for Renewing Your Wedding Vows After Many Years Together” article helpful as you plan your day!

      Congratulations and best wishes for a vow renewal that is everything you hoped and more!

      If you have more questions, please feel free to email karie@idostill.com or check out our Facebook page.

  3. Vee March 2, 2018 at 11:04 am - Reply

    Should the bride have her father walk her down the isle in the vow renewal service?

  4. Vee March 2, 2018 at 11:04 am - Reply

    Should the bride have her father walk her down the isle in the vow renewal service?

  5. Nomthandazo July 7, 2018 at 11:52 am - Reply

    Because I don’t want too many guests at my vow renewal ceremony,when sending out an invitation to my workplace,I am planning to invite only those who are married.WilI I be wrong in doing so?

    • Karie July 31, 2018 at 10:58 am - Reply

      If you don’t plan on inviting everyone in your workplace, you should send your invitations directly to the home address of those you do choose to invite. You will also want to limit talk about your planning in the workplace so as not to unintentionally hurt the feelings of anyone who won’t be invited or to raise questions about why they were excluded.

      There is no single right or wrong answer to who to invite. Just keep in mind that limiting workplace guests is easier in a large company than in a small one. You’ll also want to keep in mind the culture of your company in making this decision. Is it likely to create working relationship issues for you? Are you excluding a single person you work closely with on the basis of their marital status? You may want to consider the nature of your work relationship with your guests over their marital status.

      Best wishes on your upcoming vow renewal!

      Karie
      Founder and Editor

  6. Nomthandazo July 7, 2018 at 11:52 am - Reply

    Because I don’t want too many guests at my vow renewal ceremony,when sending out an invitation to my workplace,I am planning to invite only those who are married.WilI I be wrong in doing so?

    • Karie July 31, 2018 at 10:58 am - Reply

      If you don’t plan on inviting everyone in your workplace, you should send your invitations directly to the home address of those you do choose to invite. You will also want to limit talk about your planning in the workplace so as not to unintentionally hurt the feelings of anyone who won’t be invited or to raise questions about why they were excluded.

      There is no single right or wrong answer to who to invite. Just keep in mind that limiting workplace guests is easier in a large company than in a small one. You’ll also want to keep in mind the culture of your company in making this decision. Is it likely to create working relationship issues for you? Are you excluding a single person you work closely with on the basis of their marital status? You may want to consider the nature of your work relationship with your guests over their marital status.

      Best wishes on your upcoming vow renewal!

      Karie
      Founder and Editor

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