Vow Renewal in Italy
A vow renewal in Italy is more than just a romantic getaway—it's a chance to relive the emotions, reconnect, and celebrate love in a breathtaking setting.
For us, renewing our wedding vows in the Italian Dolomites was a deeply personal experience that allowed us to reflect on our journey, strengthen our bond, and capture the wedding photos we never had.
After 10 years of marriage, we (Sanne & Luis) felt it was the perfect time to recommit to each other in a way that was intimate and meaningful. From re-reading our original vows to exploring the stunning mountain landscapes, every moment was filled with emotion.
The unpredictable weather, the cozy breaks in our rented Porsche, and the adventure of discovering hidden gems made our vow renewal even more special.
If you're considering a vow renewal ceremony in Italy, whether to relive your wedding day, celebrate your love story, or simply create new memories together, it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.
Keep reading to find out why we chose to renew our vows and what made our special day in the Dolomites so unforgettable.
Why we Renewed Our Vows
There were a few reasons why we decided to renew our vows, and if you're thinking about doing the same, you might relate to our experience.
1. We Wanted to Share Our Vows Again—Just the Two of Us
Before I even knew what elopements were, I eloped myself. We got married at a courthouse in Florida and later had a more traditional wedding and reception in the Netherlands. It was beautiful, and I hired a friend of my dad’s to take our photos.
But when I looked back, something was missing—the raw emotions, the excitement we felt while exchanging our vows.
Saying your vows in front of 100 people can be overwhelming. Nerves take over, and you end up worrying about everyone else instead of focusing on the moment.
We wanted a chance to share those promises again, just for us.
2. It Strengthened Our Marriage
After 10 years together, we've been through our share of ups and downs. Like any relationship, some seasons felt harder than others.
Revisiting our vows and intentionally recommitting to each other reminded us of why we started this journey in the first place. It was exactly what we needed to reconnect.
3. We Wanted the Wedding Photos We Never Had
As a photographer, I know how important it is to capture the real emotions of a wedding day. Looking back at our photos, they were beautiful but didn’t fully reflect how we felt in those intimate moments.
Our vow renewal gave us a chance to get the photos we had always wanted—ones that truly told our love story.
Thinking about Renewing Your Vows?
If you've ever wished you could relive your vows in a more personal way, strengthen your marriage, or simply get the photos you never had, a vow renewal might be exactly what you're looking for.
It’s never too late to celebrate your love again! Whether you're working with a wedding planner for a full destination wedding experience or planning something simple and intimate, a vow renewal in Italy is a dream come true.
Our Vow Renewal in the Italian Dolomites
Renewing our vows in the stunning Italian Dolomites was an emotional and unforgettable experience. Despite unpredictable weather, we embraced the adventure and created memories that will last a lifetime.
A Gloomy Start That Didn’t Stop Us
We started our day by meeting Brooke, our photographer, at the location we had chosen for our ceremony. The weather was gloomy and unpredictable, but instead of letting it ruin our day, we made the most of it. We took breaks in our rented Porsche to warm up and waited for the perfect moments to capture the beauty of the mountains.
Re-Reading Our Vows
When sunrise arrived, it was time to redo our vows. Instead of writing new ones, we chose to re-read the vows we had written 10 years ago for our wedding. The emotions hit hard—it turned into an ugly-cry moment. Reading our original vows brought back so many memories:
The challenges of our long-distance relationship (I lived in the Netherlands, he lived in California).
The little quirks we loved about each other.
The deep passion we had when we first got married.
It was a reminder of how far we’ve come and why we fell in love in the first place.
Exploring the Dolomites Together
After our vows, we set off on a scenic drive through the mountains, stopping at a cozy mountain restaurant for lunch. Later, we visited a beautiful castle that we had discovered while exploring, making sure to capture more unforgettable moments there.
A Champagne Pop and a Thunderstorm Escape
To celebrate, we drove to a mountain pass for a champagne pop. But just as we got ready, a sudden mountain thunderstorm rolled in, cutting our plans short.
Even though the weather made our day a bit shorter, we still had an incredible time—exploring, making memories, and focusing on what truly mattered: each other.
Why our Vow Renewal was so Meaningful
Renewing our vows wasn’t just about recreating our wedding—it was about reconnecting, reliving our love story, and capturing the emotions we didn’t get to in our original wedding photos. The Dolomites, with their dramatic landscapes and unexpected weather, felt like the perfect representation of marriage—unpredictable, beautiful, and always an adventure.
Would we do it all over again? In a heartbeat.