Mike and I always knew we’d do a vow renewal—we just figured it would be at the 10-year mark, not the 6-year mark. But when we were offered the chance to renew our vows as part of a unique, alternative wedding show The Wedding Edit this past February (2020), we figured we can just do another renewal at 10 years! I’ll happily renew my vows to Mike a million times over (especially if someone else is planning the party! lol)
The Wedding Edit is unlike most wedding shows because it’s not a trade show style at all. Guests of The Wedding Edit are guest at a real live wedding ceremony (vow renewal—ours!) It’s much more intimate. And they get to watch potential wedding vendors in action (as opposed to chatting with them at a booth).
Being the featured couple in The Wedding Edit meant we got a few lovely perks:
- Given a wedding ceremony (vow renewal) and reception (dinner!!)
- Have two people each (bridesmaids and groomsmen) be part of the ceremony
- Have a BUNCH of (amazing!!!) photos taken of us as part of the vow renewal
- Got to wear TWO wedding dresses plus Mike got a spiffy suit (all rentals)
- Our bridesmaids and groomsmen also got to dress up in supplied dresses/suits
- Got our hair and make-up done for the ceremony
- Have our parents walk us down the aisle during the ceremony
- Invite some (but not a lot, because it’s still an event geared towards newly-engaged couples lol) other friends and family to attend the ceremony and reception! So happy we could celebrate with them
It was so much fun basically getting married again without having to do really any of the planning! lol
It was also really lovely to have our parents be part of the ceremony too. Something that I wish we had done at our original wedding (back in 2013) was walk down the aisle with both our parents. Now I think it’s super common, but in 2013 that wasn’t really something that was being done (and our wedding was the first wedding we had ever attended together! All of our friends got married after us lol). So to be able to “redo” that part particularly where I could walk down with my mom AND dad, and Mike with his, was really special. We also got to incorporate aspects of Vietnamese weddings into the vow renewal ceremony too! There were actually a lot of little personal touches we were able to inject into the event which was really special.
We also LOVE having photos taken of us, lol, so to have TWO different, amazingly talented photographers snap photos while we were all dolled up, was so fun. And you get all the photos after the event!
Now The Wedding Edit is accepting nominations for the next couple to renew their vows!
If you want to be the featured couple in The Wedding Edit 2021, nominate yourself (or nominate a couple in your life) before August 1, 2020!
Click here to nominate a couple
The main stipulation is that the selected couple needs to be married for at least five years as of Jan 1, 2021.
I definitely recommend this experience. You really have nothing to lose by nominating yourself or nominating a couple you love to be featured in The Wedding Edit! I am grateful for Sarah of Our Jonrah Events and The Wedding Edit for inviting me and Mike to be part of their inaugural event in 2020.
Below, I’ve shared a few of our favourite photos from our vow renewal at The Wedding Edit!
Plus details about what else we liked about the event, and more information about the event itself, including all of the amazing Edmonton area wedding vendors that participated in this first of its kind wedding event.
All photos in this blog post were taken by Deanna C Photography
Our Vow Renewal at The Wedding Edit – Feb 2020 Details
Wedding Songs
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri and Steve Kazee
We chose this song because the lyrics really spoke to us and how we felt about or relationship—particularly that the couple in the song have loved each other for a thousand years and will love each other for a thousand more.
- John Michael Montgomery – I Swear
When Mike was a kid and he first heard John Michael Montgomery – I Swear, he told himself he wanted it to be the first dance song at his wedding. And it was! At our wedding and also at our vow renewal (and likely, future vow renewals)
- Ashley Tisdale & Chris French – Still Into You
This song was added for our vow renewal and has been a song we’ve loved for years since getting married. The lyrics also really spoke to us and how we felt about our relationship after 10 years together and six years married, particularly “I should be over all the butterflies, I’m still into you…after all this time, I’m still into you.”
Our Top Three Moments at The Wedding Edit
- An opportunity to “re-do” some aspects of our wedding
Not a lot of people get to “re-do” aspects of their wedding, and while we loved our first wedding, something that I always regretted was not walking down the aisle with both my mom and dad. When we got married, we hadn’t been to any recent weddings as a couple ourselves, so there were some aspects of our wedding that were maybe more traditional than they would have been because we just didn’t know any better. With the vow renewal, it was very special and meaningful that both our parents could walk both of us down the aisle.
- Incorporating Vietnamese culture AND boy bands into the ceremony
We were so happy we were able to integrate some aspects of Vietnamese culture into the vow renewal ceremony. We did a condensed / modified tea ceremony with our parents as part of the vow renewal which was special for all of us. AND we turned Backstreet Boys and N’Sync song lyrics into a poem that was read aloud by our officiant!!!! And then written out as part of head table decor!
- Receiving a very special live, custom painting
We were so blown away by the custom live painting of the vow renewal ceremony by Edmonton artist Jennie Vegt. What a special and unexpected capture of a wonderful moment in our relationship! It was also special that our groomsmen surprised us by purchasing the custom piece as a vow renewal gift for us. (They requested Connor McDavid be painted in as a guest after the fact, lol).
Our Top Three Favourite Details at The Wedding Edit
As The Wedding Edit is an opportunity to showcase a smaller number of local wedding vendors, there were a lot of really great wedding details as a result!
- Beautiful custom calligraphy
We loved the little decor touches like the custom calligraphy name cards by Peak Paper Co., the entry signage that said Mike and Linda and our vow renewal date, the table scroll with our vow renewal love lyrics by Party and Confetti (also the very Instagrammable balloon backdrop!)
- Trying a wedding dress style I might not have had it not been for the event
I loved my ceremony dress from The White Gallery because it was a style I didn’t think I’d normally try but with it being a vow renewal that also doubled as an event, it was fun to try a new or unexpected look for myself and have it turn out looking so lovely.
- Having the day lovingly captured on video
We loved getting the chance to have a videographer record the day. When we got married, wedding videos weren’t necessarily popular or common yet, so to be able to not only see Missing Piece Studio in action but see a same-day wedding video edit and a post-wedding recap video that captured the special moments of the day, was so great! I also appreciated Jonathan’s assertiveness, and knowing what shots he wanted, and not being afraid to ask us to move or be positioned in a certain way.
(Also, obviously we love the photos!!)
(Note: the video focused on showcasing the vendors of the event, but we still get some cute moments lol)
Some More Information About The Wedding Edit, from its Founder Sarah of Our Jonrah Events!
- Why did Sarah create this unique wedding event?
“Having worked in the industry for a number of years and done various shows under other businesses and my own, I found there was a lack of engagement through traditional wedding shows and also how hard it was to share a business’ professionalism or talent through a booth setting or in the form of visuals. Brides and their company often swarm your booth all at the same moment or may not take notice to your business given the multitude of vendors to explore. I wanted to provide an alternative and immersive experience where it was about focussing on quality over quantity and allowed for guests to see how different wedding vendors can showcase their work in a cohesive event. The Wedding Edit provides a realistic setting given that it is hosted at a wedding venue and presents every element of a wedding day in a condensed format.” – Sarah
- How does Sarah think the first event went?
I was really inspired to put this concept together, but to be honest I was hesitant how it would be received initially. However, once I approached vendors, there was immense interest and traction for this innovative event. It was also timely that Foundry Room was opening their second location in Fort Saskatchewan as it ended up being their first opening event and the inaugural launch of The Wedding Edit. I think because it’s such a new idea, it does take some time for couples to understand the concept before deciding to attend. The first event was also mainly through social media and word of mouth, so for what it was and in the timeline we made it happen (four months!) I was definitely thankful in how it came together! – Sarah
- Why should newly-engaged couples attend an event like this?
Often the larger wedding shows can feel overwhelming when you are newly engaged and unsure of what next steps to take or taking the time to vet vendors so you have the confidence they are reputable. At The Wedding Edit, we make sure we are bringing on great talent, but also that they are professional and highly trusted. It’s also treated like a date night opportunity and encourages engaged couples to attend together whereas usually it’s common to mainly see brides and their bridesmaids. I also think it’s fun because you get to dress up, celebrate a real vow-renewal, and enjoy a meal together- all the while getting inspired for your own wedding plans! – Sarah
Vendors Featured in The Wedding Edit 2020
Wedding/Event Planner: Our Jonrah Events
Photography: Deanna C Photography + Becca Schultz Photography
Venue: Foundry Room
Ceremony Gown: The White Gallery
Reception Gown: Bridal Avenue
Bridesmaid dresses: EAV Boutique
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Derk
Day of Videography: Missing Piece Studio
Promotional Videography: Matthew Parillas Videography
Dessert + Head Table Styling: Party & Confetti
Centrepieces: Two Buds Floral
Cake: Wild Rose Cakes
Invite/Programs: Wedding Design by Anika
Stationery: Peak Paper Co.
Hair: Blush Artistry
Makeup: Sero Beauty Co.
Late Night Caterer: A Cappella Catering
DJ: Tea Cup Productions
Dessert Shots: Annies’ Cakes
Photobooth: Metrophotos
We loved having some of our dear friends join us for The Wedding Edit. Some even drove in from many hours away, which was so appreciated. As this wasn’t a full vow renewal (since it was still a wedding show/event), we weren’t able to invite everyone we would have liked to, so we are still looking forward to renewing vows again at 10 years, lol.
Thank you to The Wedding Edit for inviting Mike and I to be your featured couple for your inaugural 2020 event! It was an amazing experience that we will always cherish + remember.
If you want to be the featured couple in The Wedding Edit 2021, nominate yourself (or nominate a couple in your life) before August 1, 2020!
Linda
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Disclaimer: As the featured couple of the inaugural The Wedding Edit 2020, Mike and I got this experience for free.
2 Comments
Amazing Linda! I love how you recapped everything in such a personal way! This is EXACTLY how I envisioned everything to come together and you and Mike just rocked it unbelievably!! I adore you two!! And looking forward to your blog when you do your 10th! ;)
So lucky! My partner and I have been together for 13 years with 2 lovely kids but never been married. We just can’t afford it. Hopefully one day!