Guest Blogger Tara The Celebrant

The Old Bell Hotel has been welcoming guests since around 1220. Originally serving as the guesthouse for nearby Malmesbury Abbey, it has earned its reputation as one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in England.

Over more than eight centuries, its walls have witnessed countless stories of love, friendship and celebration. Hosting a weekend dedicated to renewing wedding vows in the Cotswolds felt like the perfect way to honour that incredible history.

The hotel ran a competition for couples to win the chance to renew their vows within these historic walls. Each winning couple was able to invite their nearest and dearest to share the moment with them, and they received a fully bespoke vow renewal ceremony created especially for them.

Each ceremony took place beneath a beautiful floral arch, creating a romantic and meaningful setting for couples to say “I do” all over again.

As a wedding celebrant in the Cotswolds, my aim is always to write a ceremony that is completely personal to the couple. No two love stories are the same, and that should always be reflected in the ceremony itself.

Once the competition winners had been selected, each couple completed a questionnaire, and we spent time chatting together about their journey. From the moment they first met, through the ups and downs of life, to this special moment of renewing their vows, I crafted each of their stories into a heartfelt and unique ceremony script.

It is always such a privilege to hear these stories and turn them into a ceremony that truly reflects who the couple are.

Every couple also chose to include a handfasting ritual as part of their vow renewal ceremony. Handfasting is a beautiful symbolic Celtic tradition, where ribbons are gently tied around the couple’s hands to represent their union — the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.”

The couples selected the most wonderful colour combinations for their ribbons, each representing different aspects of their relationship such as love, strength, loyalty and friendship.

Watching them quite literally tie the knot again was a truly special moment in each ceremony.

Over the course of the Saturday and Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure of leading five incredible vow renewal ceremonies.

Each one was completely different.

One ceremony was small and intimate, with just the couple, their children and parents present. Another was a much larger celebration, filled with family and friends who gathered to witness the couple say “I do” once again.

And one ceremony even included a rather memorable tequila shot ritual — which certainly added a fun and unforgettable twist to the proceedings!

Every ceremony was heartfelt, joyful and full of love.

The weekend was busy, brilliant and a wonderful whirlwind of emotions, stories and celebration. It was such a privilege to honour the journeys these couples had been on together.

Because love isn’t just about the day you first say, “I do”.

It’s about every day after that — the laughter, the challenges, the adventures and the memories that build a life together.

Renewing your vows is a beautiful way to pause, reflect and celebrate that journey.

The weekend would not have been possible without an incredible team of talented wedding suppliers working alongside the brilliant staff at the Old Bell Hotel.

Together, we created a warm and welcoming experience for every couple and their guests. The team included:

Holly from Holly Ferra Photography capturing every emotional moment - https://hollyferrandphotography.co.uk/

Courtney from Love Content Creation documenting the celebrations - https://www.instagram.com/lovecontentcreation/

Lizzy the Harpist, whose beautiful harp music accompanied each ceremony, played songs chosen by the couples for their entrance and exit - https://www.lizzyhartmusician.com/

Cat from Hopkins Handmade Magic, who crafted the gorgeous handfasting ribbons used during the ceremonies - https://hopkinscelebrant.co.uk/handfasting-ribbons/

It truly felt like a team effort, with everyone working together to make the weekend magical!

The Cotswolds is one of the most romantic places in the UK to celebrate love. With its honey-coloured stone villages, historic venues and stunning countryside, it provides the perfect backdrop for a vow renewal ceremony or celebrant-led wedding.

If you are thinking about renewing your vows in the Cotswolds, or if you are planning a wedding please do get in touch with the events team at The Old Bell Hotel and myself!

After all, every love story deserves to be celebrated — not just once, but whenever the moment feels right.