The Getaway Expert: 'Why this island destination holds an extra special place in my heart'
Jay-Z and Beyoncé did it. Justin and Hailey Bieber. So did Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz.
In fact, there's been a big surge in people wanting to say "I Do" again by renewing their wedding vows, and combining it with an overseas holiday is also trending.
Destination weddings have been a big deal over the last decade or so, but now destination vow renewals are on the rise for those who missed out on the vow vacay by having traditional nuptials in the local church.
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My wife and I did a destination vow renewal, Supplied/John Walsh
I can't rate it highly enough. My wife and I wanted to do it for our 15th wedding anniversary but ended up getting around to it six months later.
We tossed around the idea of a drive-thru renewal in Vegas but ended up going for something more romantic on a beach in Hawaii.
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Why would you want to do it? You're already married, why do you need to get married again?
Well, there are lots of reasons. It's a great way to celebrate a special anniversary like 10, 20 or 25. It's a way of re-affirming your love for each other, or it's just an excuse to have an overseas holiday.
All legitimate reasons, so what's stopping you?
We chose the Big Island in Hawaii. Getty Images/iStockphoto
A very special trip to Hawaii
In my case, my wife and I had only known each other eight months when we got married and had no children.
Fast forward 15 years and we were much more emotionally committed and had a 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, who made up the wedding party of four.
We found a husband and wife team who conducted vow renewals on the beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. A retired couple from Iowa. She was the celebrant and he took the photos.
If you've ever hired a wedding photographer under normal circumstances you'll know what they charge for prints and will never just hand over the originals.
Old mate from Iowa just slipped out the SD card and gave it to us!
We found a husband and wife team who conducted vow renewals on the beach. Supplied/John Walsh
If you've been to Hawaii you'll know that just being on a beach is romantic enough.
Throw in a vow renewal, your daughter as flower girl and son holding the rings, and tears are flowing like lava at the nearby Kilauea volcano.
As good as it was, you probably don't want to go all that way to just weep on the beach. So, the best way to do it is to build a normal holiday around the occasion.
Much more enticing for the kids and if you do the renewal first you can follow it with a familymoon!
We spent three nights on the Big Island for the ceremony and then a week on O'ahu.
We then had a familymoon after the main event on the Big Island and on O‘ahu. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Best destinations for vow renewals
Of course, you're not restricted to Hawaii for a vow renewal and if you have kids there's no obligation to take them. I found lots of resorts offering vow renewal packages in many popular overseas destinations for Australians.
Bali for example. A typical package includes accommodation, breakfast, a romantic dinner, spa treatment, celebrant, decorations and a photographer.
There are also a number of wedding planners in Bali who will design any ceremony you like: on the beach or under a jungle waterfall.
Phuket is also big on promoting vow renewals. Many planners and resorts to choose from and you can incorporate everything from a fire dancing ceremony to a baby elephant.
There are plenty of romantic packages on offer in Fiji. Supplied
Fiji also has strong claims as the vow renewal destination of choice. I've seen packages on private islands, luxury yachts, those incorporating local Fijian customs and a local children's choir (which I love the idea of ) and even a ceremony under water.
So, you can basically choose anywhere and configure the ceremony to whatever suits you as a couple or a family.
From an intimate ceremony under the stars for two through to a full-blown multi-generational celebration.
Remember, it's a vow renewal not a legally-binding wedding ceremony so there's no paperwork or licences to deal with.
You also want to make it as low-key and stress-free as possible, probably not something you had the benefit of first time around.
John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.
Explore some of John's articles below:
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