WEDDING BLOG

When Eve and Chris met on a dating app in 2014, they were skeptical about online dating. But from the moment they connected, something felt different. “Chris sent me a unique, standout message among a sea of insincere and off-putting ones,” Eve shared. “Within minutes of meeting, I knew Chris was my person. Meeting him was a homecoming.” Over the years, their love deepened, growing through shared experiences. When it came time to celebrate their union, they wanted something equally intentional and meaningful—a unique vow renewal that truly reflected their journey.

Set in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Eve and Chris’ unique vow renewal was more than a ceremony—it was an immersive experience where artistry, spirituality, and community intertwined. “We wanted it to be unique and deeply intentional in all ways, including aesthetics. The whole process was a creative one meant to articulate our artistic sensibilities,” Eve shared. Drawing from wisdom-based traditions and rituals, they envisioned a mystical, romantic garden where time felt suspended. Every element carried meaning, from the custom altar to mirrored tables reflecting guests back to themselves—symbolizing connection and presence.

Their community played a vital role in their journey. “We were asking them to cross a threshold with us into the rest of our lives. To build the life we dream of, we need the support of our loved ones.” Choosing San Miguel de Allende reinforced this intention, offering a setting where guests could step outside their daily lives and into a shared experience. Leading up to the celebration, Eve and Chris made multiple visits, carefully selecting vendors and immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant energy.

What We Love About This Unique Vow Renewal:

• The dedication to finding a planner, Junebug vendor Santo Amor, who truly understood the couple’s nontraditional vision
• The gift of pre-recorded, personalized messages to each guest, sharing what the couple loves most about them
• A pre-ceremony experience that included yoga, a sound bath, and a traditional Mexican ceremony guided by a local shaman
• A Celtic hand-binding ceremony where all guests were connected, symbolizing the vital role their support plays in Eve and Chris’ marriage
• Musical contributions from their sisters and father, as well as a dance performance by their best friend to open the cardinal directions

Featured Vendors:

Santo Amor

Arte Visual MF

Infusing Tradition and Intention into Every Moment of Their Unique Vow Renewal

“For years, we reflected on why we wanted a wedding and its deeper purpose. We believe in the power of ceremonies and rituals and wanted our celebration to feel uniquely us. It was important that our guests felt like participants, not spectators.

This intention shaped every detail, starting with pre-ceremony activities designed for deep connection—yoga, a sound bath, and a traditional Mexican ceremony led by a local shaman. We cleared our energy with copal, burned tobacco in the fire to set intentions, sang, and shed joyful tears. Many shared that it was one of the most meaningful moments of the entire week.”

A Fashion-Forward Look with Sentimental Meaning

As someone with a background in fashion, Eve had always imagined wearing something nontraditional. But when she tried on a Vivienne Westwood gown, she knew it was the one. “It captured a timelessness and romanticism that felt authentic to both me and Chris’ aesthetic. Vivienne Westwood had just passed away, and her mission and vision as a designer, person, and activist really resonated with me. It all felt kismet.” Chris’ custom suit was intentionally designed to complement both Eve’s dress and the romantic garden venue.

Related: Should I Have A First Look At My Wedding?

A Unique Vow Renewal Infused with Meaningful Traditions

The couple worked closely with their vendors to create a setting that felt transformative. “We custom-created elements like the aisle and dance floor, incorporating symbols that held personal significance—snakes, jaguars, and hummingbirds—each with spiritual meaning. We also integrated traditional Mexican symbols to honor the culture and celebration space.Every element of their unique vow renewal was designed to make guests feel like participants rather than spectators. They were greeted with handwritten and pre-recorded messages from the couple, sharing what they loved most about each person.

During the ceremony itself, loved ones played a vital role. Chris and Eve’s sisters and father sang, while their best friend performed a dance to open the cardinal directions, inviting the elements—air, water, earth, fire, spirit—to bear witness. In a particularly moving moment, instead of a traditional Celtic hand-binding just for the couple, every guest held onto the rope, symbolizing the role their support plays in the couple’s marriage. Their closest friends also shared vignettes about their relationship. “Each of them spoke about a distinct aspect of our partnership—offering everyone a more intimate window into our love and life.”

Related: Sweet and Sentimental Unity Ceremony Ideas

Embracing the Unexpected: A Rainy Twist in San Miguel de Allende

Despite San Miguel de Allende’s typically dry climate, rain made an unexpected appearance, forcing a last-minute venue layout change. “It completely shifted the setup of our decor and dinner. But in the end, these shifts didn’t matter—only we knew what had changed from our original concept. I felt for our planner, with the stress it put on her, but she handled it beautifully. I was lucky to trust her to make the best decisions at the moment.”

A Unique Vow Renewal Celebrating Community, Connection, and Dance

The reception carried this spirit of community and celebration forward, infused with the same mystical energy. A personalized tarot seating chart added a unique touch. “I personally pulled tarot cards for each guest, selecting one that reflected their soul’s purpose based on their birthday. It was a way for them to connect inward through reflection while also sharing the experience with others.”

“We served food family-style to encourage conversation and make it feel like a true dinner among family.” They also worked with their DJ to curate a playlist that felt true to them while avoiding overplayed songs. “The dance floor was packed all night! We danced until the very end—when we left, our guests left with us because they stayed until the last song.”

Eve also shared a mother-daughter dance in addition to a first dance with Chris. “My mom has always loved to dance—she passed that love on to me. So when we were discussing the dances, she spoke up and said that’s how she wanted to celebrate. It was such a fun moment and a huge hit!”

For the reception, Eve changed into a 1920s-inspired flapper dress, embracing the glamour and freedom of the era. “For my dancing look, I wanted to be extremely comfortable first and foremost, and then playful and fun. I have always loved 1920s flapper style and art deco. The freedom and glamour of flappers felt right, so it was a natural fit to pull this in for the party part of the evening.”

The couple’s dedication to finding vendors who truly understood their vision was evident in every detail. Their planner, Junebug vendor Santo Amor, played a key role in bringing their nontraditional ideas to life. “Rox immediately understood and connected to our vision. She resonated with our esoteric ideas, and from there, we trusted her guidance.”

Final words of advice from the couple: “Be true to yourself and use your intuition. Work with people you can trust and communicate openly with—if something doesn’t feel right at first, it likely won’t later. You won’t regret taking the extra time to incorporate deeper meaning into your celebration. Those details will be felt and remembered long after the day is over. Lastly, let go—especially on the day itself. By that time, you’ve done everything you can. Now it’s time to be fully in the moment and enjoy every second.”