'Another 10 years?': Why couples over 60 are getting married again

Some love stories are too good for just one celebration. Some couples wait decades to say the words again, surrounded by family and friends who have witnessed their journey. The joy is in the rediscovery, the intimacy, the shared laughter that only time can deepen.

There's something beautifully defiant about standing before loved ones in your sixties or seventies and declaring your commitment all over again. Renewing wedding vows is a tradition that spans generations, but in Australia, the trend feels different—more intentional, more celebratory, and surprisingly playful.

Couples are turning these ceremonies into deeply personal events that reflect their journey, creativity, and enduring love.

When Jade Foster-Jerrett married Dean in 2015, they made a pact to renew their vows if they were still together in 10 years. In 2025, they did exactly that, with a Mary Poppins impersonator emerging from the trees behind their Romford home to officiate the ceremony.

Mary Poppins was Foster-Jerrett's favourite childhood film, one she watched with her father who died in 2020.

The ceremony was unique and symbolic, with guests receiving kites made of paper studded with poppy seeds to plant at home. Many Australian couples now view vow renewals as a chance to honour their journey while creating new memories, blending tradition with personal meaning.

For many, timing is everything. 2025 marked five years since the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic, inspiring couples to mark milestones with extra care.

Susanna Abse, a couples therapist and author, observed: 'There's so much buildup and expectation, and a lot of fantasy around' first weddings, and many felt their original ceremonies focused on family approval rather than authentic self-expression.

John Moody, 74, from Torquay, organised a surprise vow renewal for his wife Jenny, 78, for their 50th anniversary. Their original 1975 wedding had been 'a register office job, the normal 10 minutes in and out, because we didn't have a lot of money.' Jenny was 'gobsmacked' when she realised what was happening, finally able to celebrate properly after half a century together.

Australia offers spectacular venues for vow renewals, from vineyards to islands, gardens to coastal cliffs. In the Hunter Valley, Goosewing Cottage hosts intimate renewals for up to 20 guests in a field chapel, with packages from $3,295. Daydream Island Resort in the Whitsundays provides turquoise-water ceremonies with packages starting at $3,000.

For some, renewals carry deep personal significance. David Smith, 62, originally from Beckenham and now in Gran Canaria, planned his 2022 renewal to celebrate with family who missed his original wedding in Macedonia. Despite setbacks—a royal death and a positive COVID test—the intimate church ceremony with 'three ladies and a dog, plus us' became profoundly meaningful.

Sometimes, renewals serve as healing ceremonies. Couples who have endured illness, infidelity, or other hardships often use them to symbolise resilience and growth. Unlike weddings, there are no legal requirements, allowing full creative freedom.

Foster-Jerrett, who worked as a celebrant, wore her dream gothic lace dress with Dr Martens shoes—something she could not do at her first wedding.

One of the most touching aspects of vow renewals is the opportunity to involve extended family. Catherine Dall'Occo, 58, from Calne, Wiltshire, included her daughters Poppy, 24, and Emily, 22, in her 25th anniversary renewal. Her daughters 'wrote their own vows to us as parents and from them as daughters. Sometimes you just need these magic moments to reassure you that all is well in the world.'

Children can take part by reading, handing out petals, performing, or even standing as attendants, creating new family memories and strengthening intergenerational bonds.

Vow renewals often celebrate survival—not just of the marriage, but of life itself. Gilly Cant, 58, from East Sussex, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. 'When I was diagnosed, I was 45, and my goal was to make it to 50 years old. When you've had cancer, your life goals are quite short. I've lost so many friends who should still be here. Being able to celebrate 10 years of being married—I really didn't know whether that would ever happen.'

Her ceremony with husband Ian, 64, took place in the exact spot where they married 10 years earlier, symbolising both love and resilience. 'It was about us renewing our love for each other and the promises that we made 10 years ago.'

Sceptics might reference celebrity renewals that ended in divorce, but wedding planner Sarah Haywood explained: 'Even if it's because you've gone through a rough patch, and you've decided to come out the other end and remain together, and reaffirm why you're staying together, that's also pretty powerful.'

Australia’s diverse landscapes make vow renewals especially memorable. From wine country and coastal cliffs to botanical gardens and the Outback, the country offers settings to suit every vision. The Sydney Botanic Gardens, spanning 416 hectares, offers six intimate ceremony spaces, including the Connections Garden overlooking a private pond and rainforest.

After her woodland ceremony with the Mary Poppins celebrant, Jade Foster-Jerrett was already planning for the future. 'I was like: "Another 10 years?" I would definitely do it again. Hopefully we make it.'

Have you considered renewing your vows, or do you have a special renewal story to share with your family and friends?