Renew your vows

Renew your vows

Couples choose to renew their wedding vows for lots of different reasons. Some do it to commemorate a special anniversary. Others want to include family members or friends who couldn't attend their original ceremony. Or it can even be a great way to mark a milestone anniversary.

Renewing wedding or civil partnership vows can make a couple feel closer and give them a renewed feeling of togetherness. It is a celebration of the marriage or civil partnership and a statement of their love of each other.

Ceremonies can include the celebration of a birth, an adoption, or when a partner has overcome a serious illness and the couple want to celebrate a new chapter in their lives.

A vow renewal ceremony is not legally binding so it can be any time after a wedding or civil partnership.

Choose your venue

Ceremonies can take place at City Hall or any other of these local licensed venues in Sunderland.

Plan your day

You can personalise your ceremony to make it an unforgettable day for you and your guests. You may want to exchange rings, gifts, choose readings, poetry or select music that is special to you both. You can also include special people in your lives, such as children, family or friends to take part in the ceremony. You will need to identify 2 people to witness the signing of the certificate.

The renewal ceremonies can include:

Introduction and welcome
Acknowledgement of any children of the marriage or civil partnership
Readings
Renewal of vows
Rededication of rings
*Giving of new rings or gifts
*Words from previous guests such as the best man or bridesmaid
*Further reading
Signing of certificate
Witnesses
Closing words

(*Optional additions to the ceremony)

Book a Registrar and ceremony

You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit to confirm the date and time of your ceremony. This needs to be paid at least 6 weeks before your vow renewal ceremony is due to take place.

We recommend you book early to ensure a Registrar is available on your chosen date.

Please be sure to read our Ceremony booking terms and conditions for rescheduling and cancellations.

Enquire about a ceremony

If you need to change your booking, please contact Life, Family and Learning