The Ultimate Adventure Vow Renewal Guide: How to Plan Your Dream Adventure [Updated for 2026]
Without a doubt, planning an adventure vow renewal is one of the most exciting ways to celebrate the life you’ve created with your partner. Whether you’re looking to renew your vows, just the two of you, or plan a small destination vow renewal, you have so many options to create an experience you’ll cherish for years to come.
This guide is for any couple looking for a comprehensive guide on planning a vow renewal in the mountains or other epic landscapes. If you and your partner are avid adventurers, looking for something new and exciting, you’ll find my top tips and advice. As an adventure wedding and vow renewal photographer in the alps and abroad, I’ve got you covered.
What is a vow renewal?
A vow renewal is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a time you and your partner set aside to renew your vows. This could look like re-reading the vows you exchanged originally on your wedding, writing new vows that represent the growth of your relationship, or involving a celebrant to lead a personalized ceremony. Some couples will choose to renew their vows in private, and others, with a small group of close family and friends.
If you didn’t have the chance to exchange vows when you originally got married, a vow ‘’renewal’’ is the perfect time to put your heart on paper and share it with your partner.
What’s the purpose of a vow renewal?
Vow renewals are generally done so a couple can celebrate a marriage milestone, and renew their commitment to one another. For some couples, a vow renewal may even be the opportunity to celebrate in the way they always wanted.
When do you renew your vows?
There’s no specific time you need to renew your vows, but many couples choose to do so at or around the time of their anniversary. It could be after 5 years of marriage, 10, 20, or even 50! There are no rules as to when you renew your vows. Some couples may even plan a small vow renewal ceremony every few years.
What are the rules for renewing your vows?
There are no rules for renewing your vows because you’re already legally married. A vow renewal is a symbolic ceremony and celebration.
Why you should plan a vow renewal
If you’re wondering why you should plan a vow renewal, here are some of the top reasons.
You can have a wedding ‘’do-over’’
Vow renewals make the perfect opportunity to get a ‘’wedding do-over’’. Many couples, have found that their wedding day was busy, stressful, and frankly, a blur. Others may have had to skip a celebration altogether due to circumstances at the time. Like elopements, vow renewals have no rules, and they allow you to curate an adventure that feels true to you. Who says you can’t climb a mountain, swim in an alpine lake, or picnic beside a waterfall to celebrate your commitment to each other? If you wished you’d done your wedding differently, this is your chance to celebrate the way you’d like.
Vow renewals give you the space to create new ties as a couple
Planning a vow renewal gives you the space to create new, strengthening ties as a couple. Did you know that when you do new and exciting activities with your partner, it actually elicits an emotional response that makes your relationship stronger? While a vow renewal can be simply reading vows, I recommend planning an adventure that will better connect you and your partner. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do together but haven’t? This is your chance to take that dream trip and do things differently.
A vow renewal is a perfect way to celebrate your relationship
The longer you’ve been married, the more your relationship has grown and changed. A vow renewal is a perfect way to celebrate the life you built together so far. Have you spent your marriage traveling the world? Maybe you’ve taken up tackling new hiking trails together, or getting up every anniversary to watch the sunrise from a mountain. Your vow renewal can include the activities you and your partner have come to love doing together.
The Best Places for an Adventure Vow Renewal Abroad
Here are some of the best places to plan a destination vow renewal, or adventure vow renewal abroad. These locations have everything from stunning scenery to fun activities, and experiences you can’t find anywhere else.
Vow Renewal in Norway
Norway is the best place to plan a vow renewal if you want to go where the mountains and the ocean meet. In Norway, you can renew vows under the summer midnight sun, or wait until winter and stay out watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky. From quaint fishing villages to long scenic drives and mesmerizing fjords, the scenery of Norway is wild and epic. In Norway, you don’t have to choose one type of scenery, considering the close proximity to a variety of diverse landscapes. While traveling to Norway can be a bit more time-consuming than other destinations due to its vastness, the trip is more than worth it and really allows you to immerse yourself in untouched nature.
Patagonia Vow Renewal
Patagonia is an unmatched vow renewal destination if you want to go to one of the wildest places on earth. Located in the southernmost part of Argentina and Chile, this vast region is known for unbelievable granite peaks, massive glaciers, bright blue lakes, and unique panoramas. Despite its remoteness, once you arrive in Patagonia, there are numerous hubs with great lodging, amazing dining, and every adventure activity you can think of. While Patagonia is big, I recommend visiting the area around Torres del Paine National Park. It’s where my husband and I plan to renew our own vows!
Renewing Vows in Germany’s Bavarian Alps
The Bavarian Alps, located in Southern Germany, are one of the most underrated but beautiful places to plan a Europe vow renewal. For couples that love to hike, Bavaria has a diverse landscape of lakes, craggy peaks, waterfalls, and rolling green meadows just waiting to be explored. While many vacationers flock to more well-known parts of the alps, the Bavarian Alps remain a hidden gem for adventure vow renewals in Europe. I feel lucky to call Bavaria my home and love sharing it with others!
Iceland Vow Renewals
Iceland, one of the most popular vow renewal destinations in Europe, is famous for a reason. Iceland vow renewals are renowned for their legendary scenery, whether it’s black sand beaches, glacier-filled lakes, or volcanos. Vow renewals in Iceland are a great destination for a multi-day adventure as you explore everything from mountains to expansive waterfalls. If you are dreaming of an Iceland vow renewal, brace yourself for adventure, as this destination is known for its wild weather across the epic landscape.
Vow Renewal in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an amazing place to plan a vow renewal if you want Iceland vibes, all while avoiding the crowds associated with Iceland. Owned by Denmark, this set of islands has a bit of everything – epic coastlines, breathtaking waterfalls, amazing hiking, mountains, lush green valleys, and loads of sheep (in fact, sheep outnumber people 2:1 in the Faroe Islands). The Faroe Islands still remain a quiet vow renewal gem and the perfect destination for couples who want a destination that’s both quaint and spectacular.
Switzerland Vow Renewal
Switzerland is an incredible place to plan a vow renewal abroad. This is because it offers not only jaw-dropping scenery but also the numerous adventurous activities available. Switzerland also makes a great vow renewal destination because of its central location, making travel throughout the rest of Europe a breeze. A few reasons Switzerland is one of my top vow renewal destinations in Europe include the fact the mountains tower so high you feel like you’re exploring the Himalayas, the sweeping alpine meadows, and a plethora of locations that are accessible from minimal amounts of hiking to advanced treks that feel truly wild. In just about any season, Switzerland has something phenomenal to offer.
Vow Renewal in the Italian Dolomites
While you’ll find mountain ranges throughout Italy, some of the country’s most notable have to be the Italian Dolomites, located in Northern Italy. The Italian Dolomites are famous for their jagged spires and unique ridgelines, unlike anything else out there. What I love about vow renewals in the Dolomites is the wide range of unique scenery easily accessible by high-mountain passes, the incredible food, and the epic activities available. One unique adventure you can have in the Dolomites includes trying your hand at hiking a via ferrata, a type of hike secured by metal rungs, ladders, and cables you climb along while harnessed in.
New Zealand Vow Renewal
Vow renewals in New Zealand offer a variety of unique scenery and activities. I recommend focusing on the South Island, which has everything from fjords to glaciers, expansive lakes, hut-to-hut hiking, and otherworldly stargazing opportunities. Some of the coolest vow renewal activities in New Zealand include helicopter tours, kayaking, and cruising Milford Sound.
Ideas for Your Adventure Vow Renewal
If you’re looking for the best ideas for your adventure vow renewal, here are some exciting options.
- Book a helicopter tour
- Hike a hut-to-hut route in the alps
- Take a guided glacier tour
- Watch sunrise or sunset on top of a mountain
- Swim in a crystal clear alpine lake
- Road trip along Iceland’s Ring Road
- Stay in a glass cabin and watch the northern lights in Norway
What do I wear for a vow renewal?
You can wear whatever you’d like, but I’d personally recommend sticking with something special, that you’ll also feel great in. Whether it’s your original wedding attire, a new wedding outfit, or a non-wedding dress/jumpsuit/suit, you can get creative. Make sure your vow renewal attire is comfortable and easy to move in if you’ll be planning an outdoor adventure.
Step-by-step, how to plan an adventure vow renewal
Planning an adventure vow renewal doesn’t have to be complicated to be epic. Below you’ll find my simple process for making your vow renewal a reality. As your destination vow renewal photographer, I’m here to help you throughout each step.
I recommend couples allot six to nine months to plan their vow renewal abroad.
Decide on a vow renewal destination
One of the hardest parts of planning your adventure vow renewal is choosing which destination to visit. I recommend reading travel blogs about the areas that interest you, checking out Pinterest, and reaching out to a destination vow renewal photographer for help if you’re still feeling stuck. They’ll be able to listen to your vision and guide you toward the best place to go.
Choose a vow renewal date
Before you can dive deep into planning your destination vow renewal, one of the first things you need to do is set a date. Setting a date will allow you to start booking the vendors (like a photographer), that can help make your dreams come to life. I personally recommend selecting a date based on your intended destination and ideal activity options, even if it doesn’t align with your anniversary. This way, you can do the things you’re dreaming of!
Book your vow renewal photographer
Once a date is set, hiring your adventure vow renewal photographer is the next step, and I’d argue, one of the most important. Hiring a photographer who is on board with capturing you as you truly are is so important. Choosing the right photographer also matters, because they’ll be a key player in helping guide you through the process of not only getting incredible images at the end of the day but also they’ll make sure you have the experience of a lifetime.
Dreaming of scaling a mountain? Make sure whoever you hire is someone who is capable of capturing that! I’m not the type to toot my own horn, but I’m your photographer if this is something you want to do! In short, hire someone who is well-aligned with your goals. If you’re up for an adventure, contact me now! I can help you make your dreams a reality.
Visualize what you want your vow renewal to look like
This step is where you’ll really want to start thinking about what is most important to you as a couple, and how you want to honor that during your vow renewal adventure
.Whether it’s spending the night stargazing before catching the sunrise from a beautiful location and exchanging vows, or enjoying breakfast in bed before heading off on a helicopter tour, the possibilities are endless.
My booked couples receive an exclusive guide that goes over prompts and questions that can help them find clarity in the dreaming process.
Choose Your Vow Renewal Locations
Choosing your exact vow renewal location(s) is an exciting task that I love helping couples with. When choosing a location, you’ll want to consider:
- What time of year are you planning your vow renewal?
- How popular is the location?
- Are there any restrictions on the location?
- What time of day has the best light?
Your vow renewal photographer (me!!!) will have advice for all of this! Location scouting is one of my biggest strengths (beyond taking stellar photos and making sure you have an amazing experience). This is something I help our booked couples extensively with.
If you are planning a vow renewal with guests, you may want to consider hiring a planner to help with securing a venue or permission to hold your ceremony at specific locations.
Book your vow renewal travel and lodging
Once you’ve settled on your location, it’s time to nail down your travel and lodging. I recommend staying as close to your vow renewal locations as possible. Don’t forget to plug in exact addresses to Google Maps while checking proximity to your location, since what may look close on a map, can be much further when you take into account driving up and down mountain passes.
Plan your vow renewal activities
By this stage in the planning process, you should have a clear vision of what your vow renewal adventure is going to look like. It’s now time to put that all on paper and build a timeline of your experience, so you know there’s room for everything. If you find you need more time, most photographers will allow you to upgrade your vow renewal coverage.
Celebrate your adventure vow renewal
Your destination vow renewal adventure is here! After all of your dreaming and excitement, it’s finally happening. Soak up every second and remember- these memories will last forever. Your photographer (oh hi!) will be sure you have amazing photos to help document the experience.
What does it cost to plan a destination vow renewal?
The average cost of holding a destination vow renewal is around $13,000. This number can widely vary though, as it will heavily depend on where you plan your vow renewal abroad. These costs include the expenses associated with flights, food and lodging, vow renewal attire, photography coverage, and more.
When choosing how much to spend on your destination vow renewal, make sure you invest in what’s most important to you. Whether it’s the photos, having your dream dress or custom-made suit, or splurging on a helicopter ride, don’t be afraid to create the day you’ve always dreamed of.
At the end of the day, how much or how little you choose to spend on your vow renewal won’t matter. What will count is how you choose to intentionally connect with your partner and honor what you value most.
Destination vow renewal packages
Are you ready to start planning your destination vow renewal? If so, why not start with your adventure vow renewal expert? Below, you’ll find my general vow renewal pricing information. I treat vow renewals the same way I do elopements – I’m there to guide you each step of the way and make sure you get the epic photo coverage your day deserves. You can see my pricing here, and contact me to set up a consultation.