How to Plan a Vow Renewal in Michigan (or Anywhere)

A vow renewal is a celebration of your marriage and the life you’ve built together. It is a chance to pause, reflect, and look at each other with all the love, history, and experiences you now share. It can be a new beginning, a celebration of your journey together, or both. Whether you’ve been married for two years or twenty, it’s an opportunity to say, “I still choose you,” in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

I help couples plan and experience elopement-style vow renewals in nature, in Michigan and beyond. The kind that are soaked in meaning, full of intention, and set in places where the world feels quiet enough for you to hear your own heartbeat. Whether that’s a cliff above Lake Superior, a pine-covered trail in the Upper Peninsula, a Lake Superior overlook at sunset, or a faraway coastline that’s been calling to you for years, my role is to help you craft a day that feels like yours.

Why Vow Renewals Matter

There’s no single reason to have a vow renewal.

Some couples come to me because their original wedding didn’t feel like them. It was rushed, stressful, or dictated by other people’s expectations. Some have walked through difficult seasons and come out stronger, and they want to honor that strength. Some didn’t have the budget to create what they wanted the first time. Some simply want an excuse to dress up, gather a few favorite people, and spend a day together in a beautiful place.

Whatever your reason, the heart of a vow renewal is connection and celebration.

It’s about slowing down and remembering what it feels like to truly see each other. To speak words that are just for you. To laugh about the years behind you and dream about the years ahead. To do it in a way that feels intentional, not because tradition says you should, but because you know it matters.

How To Plan For A Vow Renewal Ceremony

If you want your vow renewal to feel more like an experience and less like a box to check, here’s where to start.

1. Choose your season

The season you choose will shape the atmosphere, scenery, and even the pace of your vow renewal.

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where I’m located, summer means hot days, warm evenings, long golden sunsets, and cool breezes off Lake Superior. Fall brings crisp air, vibrant colors, and that unmistakable sense of change. Winter offers peaceful forests, snowflakes clinging to pine branches, and the feeling that the rest of the world has gone still. Spring is alive with fresh green growth, wildflowers peeking out, and waterfalls at their fullest.

If you’re planning somewhere else, think about what each season brings to that location. In the mountains, spring may mean melting snow and wildflowers while summer offers clear trails and starry nights. In the desert, cooler months bring comfortable hiking weather while summer can mean golden sunrises and dramatic skies. Tropical locations may have a dry and rainy season, so timing your day for sunshine and calm waters can make all the difference. Coastal regions often have milder weather in spring and fall, with fewer crowds than peak summer months.

Wherever you choose, the season sets the stage for your day. So think about the colors, the climate, and the kind of energy you want to feel when you stand together and say “I still choose you.”

2. Decide where to have a vow renewal

Location is everything. In Michigan, that might mean a hidden cove along Lake Superior, a pine forest trail, or a bluff with sweeping views. For destination vow renewals, it could be a desert canyon, a European hillside, or a tropical beach. I help couples choose the best places for a wedding vow renewal by looking at their vision, personality, and the kind of experience they want. I have a secret, proven method for helping you narrow down the most amazing, perfect location for elopements, vow renewals, and weddings.

3. Understand the rules for renewing vows

The good news is that there are very few rules. You don’t need a marriage license, and you don’t need an officiant unless you want one. A friend, family member, or spiritual leader can guide the ceremony, or you can lead it yourselves. There’s no set number of years you should be married before you renew your vows. Some couples do it at 5 years, some at 25, and some whenever they feel ready.

And remember, some locations require permits for ceremonies, photography, or gatherings, so it’s worth checking this early in your planning. I help my couples with this step so there are no surprises.

4. Decide who to invite

Some vow renewals are just the two of you. Others bring in close friends or family. I recommend keeping the group small, usually no more than 20 people, so the focus stays on your connection and not on managing a crowd.

5. Plan the flow of your ceremony

Your ceremony is your moment to speak from the heart. Think about whether you want to exchange rings at a vow renewal, read letters, or include a meaningful ritual like a handfasting or unity candle. You might want to keep it simple with just your vows, or layer in moments that reflect your journey.

6. What Not To Do For A Vow Renewal

I also talk couples through what you should not do at a vow renewal, like treating it as a traditionalwedding or asking for gifts. Keep it about the present and the love you share now. Here are a few other things I encourage couples not to do for their vow renewal:

• Don’t try to recreate your wedding exactly. A vow renewal is a chance to celebrate who you are now, not to copy what you did years ago. Let this be its own chapter with its own energy and story.
• Don’t turn it into a legal ceremony. There’s no need for a marriage license, so keep the focus on the emotional commitment rather than paperwork.
• Skip the traditional wedding roles. Having a parent walk you down the aisle or a formal wedding party can shift the energy toward a wedding reenactment. Instead, arrive together, walk in side by side, or create an entrance that feels true to your current relationship.
• Don’t overcomplicate it. Too many moving parts, a huge guest list, or a packed schedule can make the day stressful. Keep it simple so you can be present.
• Don’t leave it to the last minute. Even if it’s just the two of you, thoughtful planning makes the day more meaningful.
• Don’t forget to personalize it. Skipping vows, rituals, or personal details can make it feel like “just another event” instead of a milestone in your relationship.
• Don’t let tradition or other people’s expectations decide for you. This is your day. It should reflect your style, your relationship, and your priorities.

7. Add personal touches

This is where simple vow renewal ideas can make your day even more special. Write new vows that reflect your life together now. Include your children or pets. Share a picnic, go for a hike, have a sunset photo session, or plan a private chef dinner.

8. Think about what to wear for a vow renewal

You can wear something traditional, something casual, or something completely different from your wedding day. The key is to choose clothing that feels comfortable, confident, and like you. I help couples think about style, colors, and practicality for the setting they choose. Don’t forget it’s about both of you! If you’re thinking about wearing a wedding dress, make sure it’s subtle and balances with your parner’s outfit. Unlike a traditional wedding where the bride often becomes the main focus, a vow renewal is about the two of you equally.

9. Budget for your day

How much should a vow renewal cost? The answer depends entirely on the kind of experience you want. A simple, intimate celebration with just the two of you in a nearby location can be very budget-friendly. You might only need photography, travel to your location, and a few personal touches like flowers or a picnic.

If you’re dreaming of a full-day experience, a private dinner, or a destination vow renewal in another part of Michigan or across the world, your budget will naturally be higher. You’ll want to consider costs for travel, accommodations, permits for certain locations, flowers, attire, hair and makeup, meals, and any special activities you include in your day.

I offer vow renewal packages designed for different styles of celebrations, from simple and intimate to full-day experiences, so you can choose the one that feels right for your vision and your budget. We will talk more about those later in this post, but no matter which you choose, the focus will always be on creating a day that feels meaningful, stress-free, and completely true to you.

10. Work with someone who plans and photographs

This is where I come in! I’m more than a photographer. I help you choose the right location, create a thoughtful timeline, and plan your day so you can focus on each other. My goal is to help you make space for connection and presence while I document it all in a way that’s emotive and true.

What I Offer For Vow Renewals

While every vow renewal is unique, I offer packages that fit different visions.

The Essentials: Getting ready, optional first look, ceremony, and couples photos.

The Full Day: Everything in The Essentials, plus a longer couples session and a celebration or dinner.

The Immersive Experience: A day planned for ultimate connection and presence, two photo sessions, and a private chef dinner in a beautiful location.

A vow renewal is not about recreating your wedding day. It’s about creating a day that reflects who you are now, with the depth only time can bring. Whether you’re asking, “How do I go about renewing my vows?” or “Where do you renew your wedding vows?” the answer is the same. Do it in a way that feels true to you.

If you’re ready to plan a vow renewal in Michigan or anywhere in the world that’s meaningful, nature-centered, and stress-free, I’d love to help you make it happen.

Contact me to get started!