To celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to renew our vows in Hawaii. We chose to stay at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, where guests are offered a complimentary vow-renewal ceremony on the beach. This romantic experience exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it.
When we got married thirty years ago in New York City, we were very young and had a small ceremony at City Hall. Now, with two kids, we wanted to mark this milestone by renewing our vows in a beautiful location. Hawaii held a special place in our hearts as it was where we honeymooned and had always dreamt of returning to.
I discovered that the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort offered free vow renewals for guests every Tuesday and Friday, unlike other hotels that charged hundreds of dollars. I quickly reserved our spot for the 8 a.m. ceremony via email. The ceremony took place on a nearby public beach, and we shared the experience with another couple staying at the resort.
As part of the ceremony tradition, my husband and I exchanged flower leis that he had lovingly made at a complimentary lei-making class offered by the resort. The ceremony was conducted on the beach with the sun shining gently, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the ocean and tropical birds.
The officiant led us through the ceremony, teaching us the “Hawaiian kiss” and explaining the significance of exchanging leis as a symbol of love. We recited vows to each other in both Hawaiian and English before sharing a Hawaiian-style kiss. The hula dancer swayed and the ukulele player serenaded us, creating a magical atmosphere.
In the end, we received a vow-renewal certificate from the officiant, making our special moment in Hawaii even more memorable.
Our names were printed on the certificate, marking the end of the entire experience by 8:45 a.m. A skilled photographer captured moments during the ceremony, offering the photos for purchase without any pressure. Additionally, the organizer and the Australian couple’s family took snapshots of us. The vow renewal, beyond our hotel stay, didn’t incur any expenses. Nevertheless, the memories created were invaluable. The intimate ceremony on the public beach felt emotional and moving, leading to unexpected tears. To read more, visit the original article on Business Insider.
