Family fashion tips for renewing your vows for you, your kids, ways to be cost effective and considering the bride you are now!
A renewal of vows is a beautiful way to reinforce your love for each other and show your commitment to the family you’ve built together. Whether you’ve decided to renew your vows at the 5-year or 50-year mark, it’s crucial to dress for the occasion. After all, not all couples get to the vow-renewal stage, so it’s a milestone worth preparing for and commemorating in the most picture-perfect way.
In this post, we’ve put together a few fashion tips for you, your spouse, and your kids to follow, so you all look your best on such a special day.
What should the bride wear to a vow renewal?
Want to be even more beautiful than the day you said your “I dos”? Here’s how to sweep your partner off their feet and make them fall in love with you all over again:
Wear your old wedding dress (but only if you want to!)
This isn’t a second wedding, so there is no need to say yes to a new dress! Wearing your OG dress can save you so much money, which you can put into more important things, such as your catering, venue, and wedding anniversary rings. But if your old wedding dress is one of your biggest regrets in life, grab the chance to finally wear your dream outfit, whether that’s a floor-length gown or a two-piece suit.
Give your old wedding dress a twist
What was stylish then may not be stylish now, so why not change things up and give your original wedding gown a modern twist? For example, if you wore a Princess Diana-like dress with big sleeves–very popular in the 80s–you might want to tone down the drama by replacing the sleeves. You could also turn your dress into a whole new design (restyle a ballgown into a tea-length day dress, maybe?).
Consider your theme and location
Wear something that suits the occasion. For intimate vow renewals with a few of your closest friends and family members, it wouldn’t make sense to show up in a massive gown with a long train. That would work for vow renewals that resemble traditional weddings, but not for intimate events. In this case, a classy semiformal dress would be more appropriate.
This is a given, but be sure to think about the venue, too. Short, lightweight dresses are best for ceremonies on the beach, while airy, fairytale-like gowns are ideal for garden weddings. If your old dress no longer aligns with your new theme, you’ll have to buy or rent a new one.
Find something that flatters your figure
If your old wedding dress doesn’t fit you, that’s fine! Women’s bodies change with age, motherhood, and medical conditions such as PMDD, so don’t sweat it—you’ll still be the most beautiful bride. Look for something that flatters your body now, and that will give you a confidence boost as you walk down the aisle.
Pro tip: Vow renewal photos will last a lifetime, so it’s only natural to want to look your best. To get an idea of what you’ll look like through your photographer’s lens, take picture of yourself while trying out different dress designs.
Feel free to be a non-traditional bride
If you’ve already had a traditional wedding and want to do things differently now, go for it! Couples usually have more leeway for fun and creativity when planning their vow renewal. Inject some character into your ceremony and be the non-traditional bride by wearing unconventional colors such as red, blue, and black, and shoes like sneakers. Just make sure you and your spouse have agreed to hold an informal ceremony!
What about the groom?
At weddings and vow renewals, grooms wear either a suit or a tuxedo. To determine which to wear, it’s crucial to examine the theme. Casual events typically call for suits, while formal and black-tie ceremonies are often associated with tuxedos.
For example, if you plan to renew your vows at the beach, your man’s best bet would be a khaki suit paired with loafers. But if you’ll be saying your second round of “I dos” in a grand ballroom, we recommend wearing a classic black tuxedo with a boutonniere.
Along with the theme, don’t forget to consider the location and season—these will determine which color suit or tux to wear. In general, tan, green, and gray are perfect for spring and summer weddings in the great outdoors, while black and blue work best for winter events.
What should your children wear?
If you have children, it’s important to include them in your vow renewal so they don’t feel left out. Besides, wouldn’t it be so cute to watch your children bring the rings to you, throw petals, and participate in your unity ceremony? Whichever way you decide to include them in your special day, make sure they look the part! Here are a few tips on dressing your kids for your vow renewal:
Put comfort first
It may be cute to put your toddler in a bow tie, but consider your child’s comfort. Some accessories tend to be itchy, so if it will only make them irritable, it may not be worth the adorableness. Also, stay away from fabrics that aren’t breathable—you’ll want to keep your kids cool and comfy so they don’t throw a fit in the middle of the ceremony, or pout when it’s time to take pictures.
Consider the dress code and season
Chances are, you’d choose your vow renewal dress around the season and weather, so why not do the same with your kids’ outfits? Use this opportunity to style your kids in season-appropriate outfits, such as floral dresses for girls in the spring, and a cotton shirt and pants combo for boys in the summer.
Get your kids involved in the styling process
When your kids love how they look, it will show. To make sure they show genuine smiles in your vow renewal photographs, give your children the freedom to choose a few elements of their outfits, such as accessories. If you put your kids in what you want them to wear, expect them to make a fuss all day, especially when it’s time to take pictures. (As a bonus, allowing your kid to make their own decisions is one way to build their confidence).
Don’t dictate what your teens should wear
Teenagers will have their own sense of style at their age. They’ll want to embrace it, but that doesn’t mean they should be allowed to wear whatever they want to your vow renewal. So here’s what you can do: give them guidelines, and as long as they stick to the dress code and don’t wear anything too casual, they’re good to go.
Wrapping up
Like your wedding photos, your vow renewal photos will last generations. It’s a beautiful moment that you’ll want to cherish for years to come, and one that you’ll want your children (and their future children!) to remember you by. With these tips, you can ensure your whole family is well-dressed, allowing you to capture your big day in the most beautiful way.
