A vow renewal invitation should say whose vows are being renewed, the milestone, and what guests are coming to: a short ceremony, then a party. Try "Twenty-five years ago we said 'I do.' We'd love to say it again with you." Add the date, time, place, dress code and RSVP date. Say "no gifts, please" if that's what you want.
Below you'll find wording by milestone and by who's hosting, including a surprise from the children, plus etiquette. If there's no ceremony and it's simply a party, our anniversary party invitation planning guide guide is a better fit. If you'd rather start from a finished design, browse our anniversary party invitations.
What to Include
- The couple's names, and who is hosting if it isn't them.
- The milestone: 10, 25 or 50 years, or simply "ten years and two kids later".
- That it's a renewal of vows, so guests know there's a ceremony and not just a party.
- Date, time and place, and what follows the ceremony (dinner, cake, dancing).
- Dress code.
- Gifts: "no gifts, please" or "your presence is the gift" is common.
- RSVP date.
How to use these examples: the longer versions work on a printed card or a celebration page. When you send a video invitation, put a short line in the message with the link and say the warmest line yourself in your 15-second video message.
Vow Renewal Wording by Milestone
10th anniversary
- Ten years, one house, two kids and a dog.
We're saying "I do" again, and we'd love you there.
[Name] & [Name] · Saturday, May 15, 2027 · 5 p.m.
[Venue] · Dinner to follow - Ten years ago we promised forever.
So far, so good.
Join us as we renew our vows · [Date] · [Place]
25th anniversary (silver)
- Twenty-five years ago we said "I do."
We'd love to say it again with the people who've been there all along.
[Name] and [Name] · [Date] · [Time] · [Place] - Please join us
as [Name] and [Name]
renew their wedding vows
in celebration of twenty-five years of marriage
[Date] · [Time] · [Venue]
Reception to follow
50th anniversary (golden)
- Fifty years, and they'd still choose each other.
Join the family as [Name] and [Name] renew their vows
[Date] · [Time] · [Church or Venue]
Luncheon to follow
Pair it with: Day One, Still Us. A young couple and the same couple decades later walk the same garden path. Best for a 25th or 50th anniversary renewal.
Say it in your 15-second video message: "Twenty-five years ago, most of you were at our wedding. We'd love you there again on [date], same vows, more grey hair."
Wording When Someone Else Hosts
Hosted by the children
- Mom and Dad said "I do" on June 5, 1977.
Fifty years later, they're saying it again.
Please join [Children's Names] for their vow renewal
[Date] · [Time] · [Place]
Surprise vow renewal
- Shh, it's a surprise!
[Name] is planning to renew vows with [Name] on [Date].
Please arrive by [Time] at [Place], and don't say a word.
For a surprise, invite guests privately and remind them not to post about it. Make sure the person being surprised would actually enjoy a ceremony in front of everyone.
Wording for Other Reasons to Renew
A wedding you never had
- We got married at city hall in 2017 with two witnesses.
This time, we want everyone there.
Join [Name] & [Name] for our vow renewal · [Date] · [Place]
If you're not married yet and planning a small civil ceremony, see courthouse wedding invitations.
After a hard year
- It's been a year. We're still here, and still us.
We're renewing our vows with family and close friends
[Date] · [Time] · [Place]
Funny
- Same spouse. New vows. Better food.
[Name] & [Name] · [Date] · [Place] - We'd marry each other all over again, so we are.
Come watch · [Date] · [Time] · [Place]
Pair it with: A Union of Two Souls. Two men walk hand in hand along a beach at sunset. Best for a beach renewal or a couple celebrating years together. Our LGBTQ wedding and party invitations page has more designs and wording.
Vow Renewal Etiquette
- Who hosts: usually the couple, or their children for a big milestone.
- Who officiates: a vow renewal isn't a legal ceremony, so anyone can lead it: clergy, a friend or one of your kids.
- Gifts: not expected. Saying "no gifts" on the invitation is fine. Don't include a registry.
- Attire: anything goes, from the original wedding dress to a sundress. Tell guests the dress code.
- Wedding party: optional. Many couples invite their original best man and maid of honor, or their children.
Short Versions to Send by Text
- "We're renewing our vows for our 25th! Will you be there? Details and RSVP:"
- "Mom and Dad hit 50 years. Help us surprise them? Please don't mention it to them!"
- "No gifts, just you. RSVP at the link by April 30."
When to Send
| Type | Send | RSVP by |
|---|---|---|
| Small at-home renewal | 3 to 4 weeks before | 1 week before |
| Ceremony and reception | 6 to 8 weeks before | 3 weeks before |
| Destination renewal | 3 to 6 months before | 6 to 8 weeks before |
For a full timeline, see when to send wedding invitations.
Sending It as a Video Invitation
- Pick a template in the TwistInvite app.
- Add your event details and, if you like, your own wedding photos, an old video clip or the song from your first dance.
- Hold to record a 15-second message, or ask the kids to record one for a surprise.
- Share the link by text. Guests open it in their browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything.
Get the TwistInvite app to make your vow renewal invitation.
Pair it with: Running Into Forever. A couple walks through a crowd of guests holding sparklers under string lights. Best for an evening renewal that ends with a party.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling it a wedding, which confuses guests who were at the first one.
- Including a registry.
- Leaving out the ceremony time when there's a reception afterward.
- Telling the person being surprised: only invite people who can keep a secret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write on a vow renewal invitation?
Say whose vows are being renewed and the milestone, then the date, time, place, what follows the ceremony, dress code and RSVP date. Add "no gifts, please" if you prefer.
Who pays for and hosts a vow renewal?
Usually the couple. For a big milestone like a 50th, the children often host and send the invitations.
Is it okay to ask for gifts at a vow renewal?
It's best not to. Gifts aren't expected, and a registry can look out of place. Many couples write "your presence is the only gift."
Who can officiate a vow renewal?
Anyone. It isn't a legal ceremony, so clergy, a friend or one of your children can lead it.
What's the difference between a vow renewal and an anniversary party?
A vow renewal includes a short ceremony where the couple repeats or rewrites their vows. An anniversary party is a celebration without a ceremony.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.