Photos: iStock/AscentXmedia
Vow renewal ceremonies celebrate couples growing together.
When Debby and Jim Dalfanso decided to renew their wedding vows for a milestone anniversary, the couple wanted someone they felt comfortable with and trusted to reunite them in love after two decades of marriage.
White Bear Lake’s Kelly Koerpel was the perfect fit.
The owner of event design boutique Cheers My Dears, Koerpel loves love. A certified ceremony officiant and experienced wedding planner, she has spent the past 15 years serving couples on their wedding days and beyond. Vow renewals, like the Dalfanso’s, are extra special. “These ceremonies show that after however many years of marriage, you are different people, yet the same at your core as a couple,” Koerpel says, adding that vow renewal ceremonies can be anything the couple desires. There are no rules, just memorable moments.
The Dalfansos found themselves opting for a simpler celebration. The pair renewed their vows on a golf course in Florida on their 21st anniversary, drinking Champagne and enjoying each other’s company. “We had gotten married young, and we had grown a lot as a couple,” Debby says. “When we got married, there was a lot of razzle dazzle … after a considerable amount of time together, it’s not about the party or the jewelry; it’s the connection. We wanted to celebrate that.”
Kelly Koerpel leads Debby and Jim Dalfonso through their vow renewal ceremony at a golf course in Florida. Photo: Cheers My Dears
There’s no right or wrong time for a vow renewal celebration. It can take place five or 50 years after the wedding and can be sparked by a variety of reasons. “I’ve done vow renewal ceremonies that are part of a family reunion,” Koerpel says. “Those are special because the whole family is together.”
For couples who perhaps never had the wedding they dreamed of, a vow renewal can be an opportunity to create a special moment and new memories. “It’s not about the dress or the venue,” Koerpel says. “It’s about the words, the people and the love.”
Others have taken place when couples recommit to each other after a period of separation. “They’ve come out on the other side, and they want to celebrate that with each other and a lot of times, their families,” Koerpel says. “They renew vows to celebrate resilience.”
Couples deserve a pat on the back for everything they’ve been through, Debby says, adding, “Kelly was the perfect person to help us celebrate that. She has the ability to make you feel like she’s known you forever. That connection she has with people is special. She really sees people.”
Each ceremony, couple and vow make an impression, reminding Koerpel why she continues to do this work. “I am a messenger of love and hope,” she says. “I love to be able to create this space for people.”
