I (still) do. Vow renewal planning at Beaches

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Almost ten years ago, Jamie and I threw a big party. It was so fun, with so many people we love, and music and food and dancing and laughing. It was a wonderful celebration, and one that we will remember always. This year, we're commemorating our anniversary with a very special vow renewal ceremony while we're in Jamaica for #BeachesMoms.

We had been talking about doing something special for this milestone, so when I got my invitation to Jamaica, it was a no-brainer that we should do our ceremony there. The Beaches “Retie the Knot” program makes is simple to plan, so we booked it right away.

Vow Renewal package

At the time I write this, the Retie the Knot package is $300. (Our ceremony is at 4pm; we chose not to do the $600 upgrade for sunset timing) The standard inclusions are as follows:

Pre-travel and on-site planner
Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
Celebration cake, bouquet and boutonniere
30 minute Delightful Reception
Commemorative certificate
30 Minute Foot Massage for the Groom
Manicure for the Bride
Keepsake gift
5″x7″ Honeymoon photograph
Honeymoon dinner for the couple
Honeymoon night turndown service
Mimosa breakfast-in-bed any morning of choice

I called the toll-free number to book our ceremony, which was easy enough. They took my credit card payment over the phone, and then booked me for a call with my pre-travel coordinator about a week later. My email confirmation had one name on it, but I was set up with a different person (Jody) when the call actually happened.
Here are my notes from our call, so there's additional information than just what's listed above.

There are a few pieces of paperwork that need to be submitted (by fax or email):

A copy of your marriage certificate: For obvious reasons, you have to already be married to be eligible for the vow renewal package.
A completed “ReTie the Knot Information form” which calls for your Beaches reservation information, and again outlines what's included in the package you paid for.
A completed “ReTie the Know Agreement” which you sign to state that you understand that you must bring the originals of the above listed paperwork with you to the resort. (So yes, you need to hand carry a certified copy of your marriage certificate on the trip with you)

We arrive at Beaches on a Wednesday afternoon; there are restrictions about how soon after arrival you can book your ceremony, so ours is on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, we will have a one-hour consultation to make a few decisions about our ceremony. (I have put in time requests for this consult, but I have yet to receive my appointment time. But keep in mind that it's assigned, you can't just pick a time)

At that pre-consultation, we will make a few choices:

Ceremony and reception locations: There are a few options around the property, but they basically come down to beach, garden, or gazebo. We already know we want beach, because Jamaica.
Appetizers: The 30-minute reception includes cold appetizers, so we'll be making our choices at this appointment.
Cake: A pretty one-tier cake is included as well, so we'll do a tasting to choose from Chocolate, Vanilla, Red Velvet or Caribbean Fruit.
We'll book our honeymoon dinner and breakfast in bed days during this appointment as well.

Jody asked me if we mind having a religious person do our ceremony, and asked if we want to write our own vows or use traditional ones. She told me that we're welcome to bring our own music on our phones, and they can plug it in to their sound system, so we'll be bringing along the same Beatles songs we used the first time.

She also mentioned doing a “first dance” at the reception, but we'll most likely skip that part. I'd rather eat cake and drink bubbles!
Overall, while this has been easy from our end, they do make it a whole “thing,” and I don't know that we'll take full advantage of everything that's included. Barefoot on the beach is different from our wedding was the first time, but it's still going to be perfect… perfectly us.