Why A Vow Renewal Deserve Every Bit of the Fuss (and How to Plan a Candid One)

I whole-heartedly believe that milestone vow renewals deserve all the fuss, love, and celebration that weddings do. And honestly, maybe even more so! I’ve been convinced of this ever since filming Katie and Niall’s incredible 10-year wedding anniversary vow renewal at The Roman Baths in the historic city of Bath.

As a wedding videographer who is well past that milestone myself (my Husband and I were married way back in 2009!), I feel strongly that we should celebrate the longer we’ve been married. In fact, I think we’ll be taking a leaf out of Katie and Niall’s anniversary handbook for our next big milestone!

If you’d love to learn more about what a magical, after-hours ceremony looks like, or you’re just looking for inspiration for a relaxed yet fun vow renewal, keep reading…

An After-Hours Ceremony at The Roman Baths

Weddings and vow renewals can only take place after hours within the Roman Baths, but I feel that only adds to the magic. Once the tourists have left and all is quiet around the ancient paving and column-lined corridors, you get to settle into the atmosphere with your guests. Even on a long summer’s day, you can enjoy sharing your vows again beside the torch-lit thermal waters and revel in the historic setting.

Katie and Niall chose this iconic venue because the city of Bath is a place they have travelled to many times over their ten years of marriage. After eloping to Washington, D.C. with only a handful of guests a decade ago, this milestone was their perfect opportunity to bring all their favourite people from around the world together to enjoy a city they love.

They put their trust in me to capture their celebrations after seeing me work as a wedding videographer at their close friends’ wedding in London, which is truly the best form of recommendation I could ever ask for! They were after a relaxed approach to filming their day, wanting a candid video to watch back so they could relive all their best, unscripted moments.

Pre-Ceremony Pub Hangouts & Setting the Scene

As I was travelling over from Lancashire, they kindly invited me to stay over the evening before their ceremony. After a wander around the city (and a cheeky dive into the infamous Topping & Company Booksellers for a new photography book), they mentioned they were all hanging out at The Crystal Palace pub, so I decided to join them. It was the perfect opportunity for all their family and friends to meet and connect before the big day, some meeting for the very first time! It was also a great chance for me to catch up with my past London couple and get familiar with all their favourite people before turning the camera on.

On the morning of the vow renewal, I enjoyed breakfast at The Royal Hotel before taking an hour to wander around the iconic city spots to film a few location shots. It’s a great way to set the scene for the final film, especially since this city is such a huge part of their love story.

Getting Ready and a Non-Traditional Timeline

It was then time to head over to their Airbnb to start filming the prep (and enjoying all the stories from the night before, after I’d left the pub!). Katie had one of her sisters on hand for hair, and the lovely Adie for makeup; another talented supplier from that London wedding I mentioned!

It was an afternoon of belly laughs, reminiscing, and some yummy gluten-free pizza. Katie had been “influenced” into buying a stunning Grecian-inspired ivory dress with lovely draping and a cape, she looked absolutely incredible.

Because the ceremony itself wasn’t until 7:30 PM, the couple was keen to wander around the streets dressed up in their finest and capture some relaxed portraits with their family and friends first. Their photographer, Hannah Doyle, did a great job of keeping things laid-back, even using her local knowledge to sneak us into a pub after the couple shots so they could enjoy a quiet drink and relax, just the two of them.

Saying “I Do” Again beside the Torch-Lit Waters

As evening fell, guests gathered on the ancient grounds of the Roman Baths and eagerly awaited the couple’s arrival. Music echoed around the stunning venue as Katie and Niall made their way to the edge of the water to relive that day from ten years ago. They brought along their original wedding vows and had everyone wiping away tears by the end of the ceremony.

Afterwards, it was time to capture all those authentic, candid moments I knew they’d love watching back. All the hugs, laughter, and little interactions as their favourite people enjoyed good conversation in the most stunning setting. Safe to say, I also captured a lot of people taking their own photos too! What a memory to keep!

The couple then had a chance to sneak upstairs onto the terrace, which not only overlooks the baths but is beautifully overlooked by the iconic Bath Abbey.

The Pump Room Reception & Limbo on the Dancefloor

Next, everyone made their way up to the picturesque Pump Room. Dating back to 1795, this room has ultimate wow-factor with its huge crystal chandelier hanging from above. Everyone enjoyed cheering the couple into the room before sitting down for a three-course “wedding breakfast” (named that because it’s the first meal as a married couple, not because it’s early… as this was nearer 9:00 PM!).

Then came the toasts and speeches. First up were their friends, who shared their wisdom about how this couple had stayed so strong for ten years and what we could all learn from them. Then, our groom, Niall, said a few kind words and thank-yous.

I knew we were in for a lively evening because some guests were already testing out the dancefloor under that infamous crystal chandelier before the music even started! They were soon ushered to the sides so the couple could enjoy their official first dance. They chose a slow dance that nodded to Niall’s Irish heritage and the Irish pub they visited after their D.C. wedding all those years ago. Being an absolute classic, they were soon joined by everyone singing along to The Fields of Athenry.

I think this might be the first time I’ve ever filmed guests enjoying a limbo competition using a leather belt on the dancefloor, which made for some absolutely golden footage! Watching it back myself while editing, I was instantly taken right back to how fun and joyful that evening felt. I just know it’ll have that exact same impact on everyone who was there. What a beautiful memory to be able to relive forever.

Planning a Vow Renewal? Here Are a Few Tips for a Relaxed, Meaningful Day:

• Ditch the Traditional Timeline: Since there are no legalities or set schedules to worry about, make the day entirely yours. Like Katie and Niall, you can do your photos and pub stops before a romantic evening ceremony.
• Keep it Guest-Centric: A milestone anniversary is the perfect excuse to bring together the people who have supported your marriage over the years. Consider a pre-event casual meetup at a pub to get everyone mingling early.
• Prioritise Candid Captures: You’ve already got the formal wedding photos from years ago. For a renewal, focus on a documentary-style approach that captures the real laughs, the tears, and the joy of making it to this milestone.

Let’s Capture Your Milestone

Whether you are celebrating 5, 10, 25, or 50 years of marriage, your vow renewal deserves to be documented with the same energy, fun, and importance as your wedding day. If you are planning a relaxed celebration and want a candid, documentary-style videography that lets you relive all the real emotions and belly laughs, I would love to chat.

Get in touch today to check my availability and let’s talk about your plans!