Renew your Marriage Vows/Civil Partnership Commitment

Why renew?

There are lots of reasons!

To celebrate – it’s a great excuse for a party! After a period of time together – long or short - you want the world to know that you'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Maybe you want to reaffirm your commitment to each other after a rough period in your relationship. You may have had a small ceremony somewhere far away and want to make your feelings public when you return. Perhaps some close friends or family were unable to attend the first time around. There's no wrong reason to renew.

What happens?

The idea is to state your commitment to your partner just as you did the first time around. You can either recite the same words you spoke back then, or write new ones to mark this special occasion and how you feel now. Also, you may want to exchange rings. You could engrave your original rings with something new or buy new rings especially for the reaffirmation. Children, close relatives, and special friends can do readings, and you can have meaningful music playing, just as you did the first time around.

What is said?

We have a standard format for renewal ceremonies, but you may like to write a personal statement or even the whole ceremony. Remember - the ceremony you decide on must be agreed with the Registrar.

You may like to look at your original words to each other, and think about how relevant they have been in your life together. Which sentiments have you honestly kept and which you are still working hard to keep?

You could include reflections on your life together. This could include moving into your first home together, the arrival of children and how you shared the experiences of significant occasions. You may wish to include the low points in your relationship, and how you supported each other and overcame them together.

Or you could look to the future, and share your hopes and dreams. These may be the same hopes and dreams that you had the first time around, or they may be completely different. You may want to mention what you will continue to do the same, and what you will try to do differently, from now on.

Whatever you choose to say to each other, be it solemn or amusing, as long as it comes from the heart, you will remember it in the years ahead.

Who will conduct the ceremony?

A Registrar or Assistant Registrar will conduct the ceremony in their capacity as an officer of Scottish Borders Council according to the choices you have made.

Who can arrange a ceremony?

Many couples host their own renewals, some have their children or perhaps the original witnesses to do it.

How much does it cost?

The fee includes the pre-ceremony consultation, the venue risk assessment, the renewal ceremony and souvenir document(s). Please contact the Registrar for information on the current fees.

Where can we have the ceremony?

It can be in your own home, on completion of a satisfactory risk assessment. There are also licensed venues in the area which conform to health and safety regulations. Your ceremony could also be conducted in a Registration Office.

People who may conduct vow/commitment renewal ceremonies

An authorised Registrar or Assistant Registrar, in their capacity as an officer of Scottish Borders Council, will be happy to conduct your vow/commitment renewal ceremony.