- For our 30th wedding anniversary, we renewed our vows in Hawaii.
- We stayed at a hotel that offers guests a free vow-renewal ceremony on the beach.
- It was a romantic experience that I highly recommend.
My husband and I were very young when we got married in a small ceremony at City Hall in New York City. Thirty years and two kids later, we’re still going strong.
To celebrate our anniversary, we thought it’d be wonderful to renew our vows somewhere beautiful on a vacation. We chose Hawaii.
Although far from our home in NYC, it holds a special place in our hearts as the place we went on our honeymoon — and we’d been dreaming of going back.
Our vow renewal ended up being even better than I’d expected.
As OUTRIGGER Reef hotel guests, the simple renewal didn’t cost us extra
While researching our options online, I found that OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort offered a vow renewal free of charge for guests every Tuesday and Friday.
I was surprised, as other hotels I’d seen were charging hundreds of dollars for renewals. The resort’s website said all I needed to do was send an email to reserve a spot for the 8 a.m. ceremony. So, I did.
It took place on a nearby public beach area. When we checked in on Sunday, we learned we’d be sharing our Tuesday vow renewal with another couple at the resort who’d also signed up.
A staff member at the reception desk told us that it’s tradition for my husband and I to present each other with a flower lei at the ceremony, available for purchase in the hotel lobby or at numerous flower shops in the neighborhood.
Fortunately, the resort has a range of complimentary daily programming on its weekly activities calendar, and one event was a lei-making class.
On Monday, my do-it-yourself husband created flower garlands for us to exchange at the ceremony. Our room had a mini-fridge, perfect for keeping the blooms fresh until the next morning.
Our vow renewal on the beach was even better than I imagined
We were still jet-lagged and awoke early Tuesday morning, with plenty of time for a cup of Kona coffee before the ceremony.
The sun was bright but gentle as we headed down to the beautiful beach in front of the hotel.
The wedding organizer at the resort greeted us and introduced us to the Australian couple also renewing their vows. They had traveled with their family, who were also present for the ceremony.
Next, the organizer introduced us to the officiant, hula dancer, and ukulele player who’d be helping to bring our ceremony to life.
We took off our shoes and walked toward the ocean until the warm water tickled our toes. Waves and tropical birdsong were the soundtrack to the ceremony.
Our officiant taught us how to do the “Hawaiian kiss,” where we faced each other, foreheads and noses touching.
He also explained that placing the lei around each other’s necks symbolized the transfer of love. In both Hawaiian and English, he said a few short vows about how lucky we were to be in love, and we repeated these to each other in English.
My husband and I placed the florals around each other’s necks and kissed Hawaiian-style as the hula dancer swayed and the ukulele player serenaded us.
The experience was short but impactful
Lastly, the officiant handed us a vow-renewal certificate with our names printed on it. The entire experience was over by 8:45 a.m.
A professional photographer took photos throughout the ceremony that were available for purchase, but we didn’t feel pressured to buy them. The organizer had also snapped images of us during the ceremony, as did the family of the Australian couple.
Beyond our hotel stay, our vow renewal didn’t cost a cent. However, the memory is priceless.
The casual ceremony felt powerful and intimate, despite the fact that we were on a public beach. I was surprised that I even cried.
Read the full article here
