Renewing your marriage vows is perhaps one of the most profound ways you can demonstrate to the world (and each other) how committed you still are. It’s a beautiful gesture, but it’s also a great reason for a party! And an even better reason to get decked out and strut your beautiful self!
The good news is that shopping for a vow renewal dress is going to be waaaay less stressful than finding your first wedding dress. You’ve walked the aisle, said the words, probably cried through your mascara. This time it’s about celebrating the marriage you’ve made, not the wedding you’re planning. And your dress should reflect that.
It’s less about trying to pick the dress you’ll get married in, and more about picking something that reflects your lifestyle right now.
Vow renewal dresses are often shorter, simpler, and way more “you” – because at this point, you actually probably know better who you is. Whether you’re marking a milestone anniversary, recommitting after a rough patch, or just want an excuse to throw a party with the person you love most, the dress should feel like a celebration, not a costume.
If you have no idea where to begin, we’ve taken the liberty of sharing a few gorgeous (and unique) options to inspire your search. From tea-length classics to city-chic minis, we’ve gathered our favorite vow renewal dress inspiration from real couples who got it right. And if any of these looks make your heart skip? Click through to see the full celebration. For even more ideas, browse our Real Weddings directory.
Our Fav Vow-Renewal Dresses to Rekindle the Romance
Manhattan Sidewalk Romance
Pure NYC elopement energy. This short white lace halter dress has the same joyful spirit as the bride wearing it — simple, celebratory, and completely in the moment. The fit-and-flare silhouette is universally flattering, and the length is perfect for walking city streets, dancing at your favorite restaurant, or hailing a cab to your next adventure.
See Samantha and Vincent’s NYC Elopement →
Vintage Charm in Central Park
Everything about this says “intimate celebration.” The ivory chiffon mini with its deep V-neckline keeps things simple while the birdcage veil and oversized flower headpiece add vintage personality. It’s the kind of dress that works for a quick ceremony at city hall followed by champagne in the park — which is exactly what happened here.
See Heidi and Layne’s Intimate Central Park Wedding →
Tea-Length Satin Sweetness
There’s a reason tea-length dresses are a vow renewal classic — they have all the bridal elegance without the formality of a floor-sweeping train. This ivory satin number with its sweet short sleeves and fitted waist is retro in the best way. It photographs beautifully and lets you actually move, which matters when you’re celebrating.
See this Vineyard Styled Shoot →
Retro Lace with Birdcage Veil
This look is full-on vintage romance. The short white lace sheath paired with white tights and a birdcage veil creates something totally unique — part 1960s mod, part garden party sweetness. Her groom’s suspenders and bow tie match the playful energy perfectly. It’s a reminder that vow renewals are a chance to have fun with your style.
See Lydia and Reed’s Styled Shoot →
Rainy Day NYC Chic
Winter elopement perfection. This white long-sleeve wrap-style dress is sophisticated without trying too hard — exactly what you want when you’re crossing Manhattan streets in the rain with the person you chose years ago (and would choose again). The length is practical, the sleeves keep you warm, and the whole look is effortlessly chic.
See Melissa and Brian’s NYC Winter Elopement →
Castle Courtyard Elegance
Sometimes simple is everything. This sleeveless ivory sheath mini is the definition of understated elegance — clean lines, no embellishment, just beautiful tailoring against a Colorado castle backdrop. It proves you don’t need layers of tulle to make a statement. You just need the right dress and the right person.
See Erica and Geoff’s Colorado Castle Engagement →
City Skyline Tulle
This whimsical Vancouver moment captures everything we love about short wedding dresses. The strapless fit-and-flare with its frothy tulle skirt is playful but polished — bridal enough for the occasion, modern enough for a city celebration. Those silver peep-toe heels don’t hurt either.
See this Whimsical Vancouver Styled Shoot →
Lakeside Celebration
The vibe here is “we’re celebrating our marriage with cocktails at the lake house” and honestly, goals. Her sleek V-neck lace sheath is romantic without being fussy — the kind of dress you can wear to say your vows and then keep wearing all night. The spaghetti straps and fitted silhouette are effortlessly flattering.
See Erin and Ben’s Michigan Wedding →
Garden Party Halter
Clean, classic, and completely joyful. This white halter-neck chiffon gown proves that simple doesn’t mean boring — the high neckline is modern, the flowing skirt is romantic, and the whole look photographs like a dream. Surrounded by her crew in dusty blue, this bride looks exactly like someone celebrating love that’s stood the test of time.
See Diana and Joseph’s Walnut Creek Garden Wedding →
Romantic Lace with Military Groom
This ivory lace sheath checks every box for romantic vow renewal dressing. The short sleeves and high neckline feel modest but modern, while the all-over lace adds visual interest without overwhelming. Paired with a floral crown and standing next to her military groom in a blooming garden, she looks absolutely radiant.
See this Whimsical Connecticut Farm Wedding →
Montana Rustic with Cowboy Boots
Here’s your reminder that vow renewal dresses can (and should) reflect your personality. This white midi with its coral sash and V-neckline is sweet and unfussy — and those cowboy boots are everything. It’s Montana fall wedding perfection, but this look would work just as well for a ranch anniversary or backyard recommitment.
See this Fall Wedding in Montana →
Country Casual Cotton
Sometimes the best dress is the one that lets you feed a baby cow on your wedding day. This casual white cotton strapless midi with its sweet bow sash is about as laid-back as bridal gets — and paired with cowboy boots, it’s pure country charm. For a casual vow renewal on the family farm? This is it.
See this Country Wedding Inspiration →
Sunrise Beach Elopement
Barefoot on the beach at sunrise with a lavender bouquet — this is destination vow renewal dreaming. The white A-line chiffon with lace straps is romantic without being heavy, flowing enough to catch the ocean breeze. The honeybee theme throughout their celebration added sweetness, but really, this dress would work for any beach recommitment.
See Leia and Jeremy’s Beach Elopement →
Garden Romance with Knit Scarf
The styling here is what makes this dress special. A simple white A-line with a scoop neckline gets elevated by a cozy knit infinity scarf and a sweet birdcage veil. It’s layered and personal in a way that feels authentic — exactly the vibe you want when you’re renewing vows instead of saying them for the first time.
See this Secluded Garden Wedding →
Blush Parisian Romance
Who says vow renewal dresses have to be white? This blush pink pleated midi with its black bow back detail is romantic in a completely different way. The flowing movement as she walks, the Parisian-inspired styling — it all feels like a love story that’s been going on for a while. Perfect for the bride who wants something softer.
See this Parisian-Inspired Session →
Barefoot Beach Bride
Sometimes you just want to feel the sand between your toes while you promise forever again. This flowing strapless chiffon catches the sunset light as she walks the rocky New Hampshire shore. It’s nautical, romantic, and completely relaxed — exactly what a beach vow renewal should be.
See Brynn and AJ’s Nautical Seaside Wedding →
Nashville Twirl
This is the dress you wear when you want to dance. The white satin A-line has that perfect twirl factor — a V-neckline, open back, and a skirt that moves beautifully. At historic Cedarwood in Nashville, this bride made the most of her moment. For a vow renewal with live music and dancing, this silhouette delivers.
See Laura and Kyle’s Rustic Cedarwood Wedding →
City Glam Styled
Silver accessories and city concrete — this styled shoot captures modern NYC glamour. The white chiffon A-line with cap sleeves and a beaded belt is elegant without being stuffy. It’s the kind of dress that transitions seamlessly from afternoon ceremony to evening cocktails, which is really what vow renewal dressing is all about.
See this NYC Glitz and Glam Styled Shoot →
Rainy Day Umbrella Moment
Rain on your vow renewal day? This couple made it romantic. Her white A-line with an interesting shawl-like neckline detail is simple but not plain, and watching her groom shelter her with an umbrella is the kind of moment that makes you remember why you’re doing this in the first place.
See Lauren and David’s Wedding →
Casual Beach Elegance
Walking the beach hand in hand — some things don’t need to be complicated. This sleeveless white chiffon V-neck A-line is as easygoing as the couple wearing it. The fabric moves beautifully, the silhouette flatters, and the whole look says “we’re here to celebrate, not perform.” Perfect vow renewal energy.
See Kyle and Layne’s Wedding →
Yellow and Grey Romance
There’s something dreamy about this moment — the paper flowers overhead, the soft kiss, the simple white chiffon dress. Her A-line gown with its scoop neckline is romantic without being over the top, exactly right for a celebration that’s more about the feeling than the fashion. Though honestly, that styling gets both right.
See Nathan and Fina’s Yellow and Grey Wedding →
Painted Wall Joy
That “MRS” painted wall is a mood, and this bride matches its playful energy perfectly. Her white one-shoulder chiffon A-line is modern and fun — asymmetrical necklines have a way of feeling fashion-forward without being fussy. For a vow renewal that’s more party than ceremony, this dress delivers.
Enjoy the Ride
People choose to renew their vows for all kinds of reasons.
We know people who’ve wanted to recommit to each other after getting through a rough patch, and coming out on the other side stronger and more in love than ever.
We know some who got married in a rush the first time around, or were too stressed to enjoy it, and always wanted a “do-over” away from the pressure of a large wedding. Then there are some who just want to reiterate their love for each other.
Whatever your reasons, it’s an incredibly affirming thing to stand up before friends and family and declare that in good times and bad, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, you’d do it all over again. Together.
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