Yesterday marked Zack and Whitney Bates’ four-and-a-half-year anniversary. In honor of that milestone, as well as their upcoming five-year anniversary, the couple renewed their wedding vows during a ceremony attended by loved ones.
The celebration was complete with a beautiful high-neck halter wedding gown for Whitney, bridesmaids in pink dresses, groomsmen in tan suits, a cake, a picturesque venue, and delicious food. You’ll see everything on an upcoming episode of Bringing Up Bates.
Photo courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates
The celebration was complete with a beautiful high-neck halter wedding gown for Whitney, bridesmaids in pink dresses, groomsmen in tan suits, a cake, a picturesque venue, and delicious food. You’ll see everything on an upcoming episode of Bringing Up Bates.
Zach and Whitney Bates
Photo courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates
I have never heard of this being done after having been married for so short a time. But to each his or her own. May God bless this family and their children in all their future years of marriage.
ReplyDeleteI guess we've found out what the show plans to do to fill in gaps between actual marriages. (Zach and Whit may still have had this ceremony, but likely not this early in the marriage.) Maybe by the time the episode airs it WILL be the actual 5 year anniversary.
DeleteIt was likely promoted and financed by UPTV for a future episode. I doubt they would’be done this otherwise.
DeleteI think renewing after the first 5 years is good. They can always do it again in years to come.
DeleteRenewing after 5 years is a fine idea. You get to look back at your first years and see how far you have come in your marriage , and doing a renewal ceremony strengthens your commitment for the years ahead.
DeleteI know someone who did that after being married for 2 years. Not sure why they chose to do it so soon, but to each their own I guess.
DeleteAt 9:43, I hope you are wrong.
DeleteI’m getting tired of the courtships, engagements, weddings and babyshowers at this point. Now adding 5 year renewal of vows is tedious to even think about...
What??? A four and half year vow renewal??? With a wedding gown and bridesmaids ??? Please tell me UPTV created this nonsense as a filler???
DeleteI'm a little puzzled by it too, but their choice.
DeleteI don't get wedding renewals unless a couple has gone through difficult times and chooses to make a fresh start. That would make since. Making family feel obligated to go to another "wedding" is a bit of attention seeking in my opinion. Like the Bates but I don't get this.
DeleteTotally agree with you, 10:28.
DeleteIt is just tot tv. No other good reason why afther just 4 years
DeleteMay the Lord guide you both in life's decisions.God Bless you both,and bless your family.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that they needed a more modern wedding look. Whitney seems to have been put into a mold for her wedding, so with a high-neck halter wedding gown, that fits her new style and clothing choices.
ReplyDeleteMy style has changed as I grew in confidence as a wife and Mum but I certainly did not need to remold myself with a new gown to family!
DeleteI also can't quite get over the cost of it all! Life is all very instant nowadays to the young we bought a house and gradually did it up over couple of years as we had time and money. Could never afford such an extravagant wedding renewal as well nor all these baby photos....
This is when it seems like stuff is being done just for the sake of an episode. I don’t think anyone would spend all that money for a 4-1/2 year anniversary on their own.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
DeleteLove that they're celebrating their marriage and clearly don't take it for granted but odd to have such an expensive wedding renewal celebration so soon after the first.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I were married 5yrs
we didn't even buy lunch or coffee out to save for a cheap yearly holiday nearby!
I must have missed something. I don't see anything about a cost. And plus renewals can be done without being expensive
DeleteThis is vow renewals in full wedding mode - dress, bridesmaids dresses, cake, venue - of course it's going to cost money! To me that seems extravagant whoever is paying for it.
DeleteI can vouch that the cost of this particular wedding venue is exorbitant. Personal experience from a fellow east TN local. The family couldn’t use this place for their real weddings, unless the poor unfortunate bride wanted to keep the guest list to a fraction of what they are used to.
DeleteIf I'm not mistaken didn't they do it because her parents were not there the first time? I remember watching the vow renewal and she said her parents weren't there the first time
DeleteHhhhmmmmm 🤨🧐🤔
ReplyDeleteI agree. 🙂
DeleteNo matter what, I’ll be watching. Love the show and the family!
What a wonderful way to celebrate five years of marriage!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking they've done this because Whitney's parents were not at their wedding in December 2013. This time, they can all celebrate together as true family. Hopefully her parents are both healthy, and this is not an indication that there is illness. OR maybe Whitney is expecting baby #3, and is due in December, and that's why they're doing this celebration 6 months early.
ReplyDeleteWhitney’s Dad co-officiated the wedding with Pastor Gil Bates.
DeleteWhitney lived with another family for a time while a teenager. The dad from that family co-officiated the wedding. Her biological parents didn't attend. Whitney and her biological parents reconnected by the time Bradley was born.
DeleteWell the Anon at 1140AM refuted the "Whitney's parents didn't go to the wedding" theory.
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if Whitney announces baby #3 next week, now that we know there is a "big announcement" planned. If the baby is due around their actual wedding date, that would explain why they did the vow renewal ceremony 6 months before that.
11:40, there are Whitney’s bio parents and Whitney’s adopted parents, I’m pretty sure her bio parents weren’t there.
Delete11:40- It was Whitney’s adoptive dad iirc. Whitney seems to have rekindled her relationship with her bio parents now
DeleteAnon at 11:40, that was not her real dad.
Delete11:40 am. No, Whitney's Dad did not co-officiate the wedding. Only her adoptive parents were in her life at the time, and perhaps it was her adoptive father who co-officiated. Her biological parents were not at the 2013 wedding. She has since reunited with her biological parents, maybe this vow renewal ceremony now was a way to include her biological parents.
DeleteAnon at 1227AM: I had forgotten Whitney was adopted, and it's nice that she has connected with her adoptive parents. However I disagree with your statement that "Whitney's Dad did not co-officiate the wedding." So the man who adopted her isn't her Dad? The idea that "only her adoptive parents were in her life" also sounds very denigrating towards her adoptive parents as if they don't count as "real parents".
DeleteI have a feeling Whitney herself would disagree with the idea that her "real dad" wasn't at the wedding. I'm pretty sure she sent BOTH her fathers Father's Day gifts today.
Anon 3:00pm. I never said "real" dad. I still called both families "parents"... Biological parents vs adoptive parents, but still "parents". No degrading by me.
DeleteFour and a half years of marriage and they need to renew their vows complete with a new wedding dress and bridal party? This is getting ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteLike someone said above, they might have done it now because her parents weren’t at their wedding, so they might have wanted to do it now with their hen in attendance.
DeleteAgree!!!
DeleteI'd have thought that after such a short time they'd only need to do this if one or the other had put the marriage in jeopardy. Otherwise why would you?
DeleteWhile it sounds nice, it also sounds staged for TV. Maybe since there is no professional footage from their wedding?
ReplyDeleteEither way, congrats on 4 1/2 years of marriage! Is there a card for that?
Remember they didn't really have their wedding shown on TV back in December of 2013 so I think it's a neat idea.... They are a beautiful couple and I'm so happy for them.....Live and let live that's what it's all about....
ReplyDeleteI guess since Whitney isn’t cranking out babies every year she has to be relevant some how😉
ReplyDeleteYou got it!
DeleteThey've just bought a house! I can't imagine the cost of such a formal Wedding renewal plus all the trimmings and a wedding dress as well never mind the time to organise it and organise it??!
DeleteWhitney will look beautiful though.
And didn’t get to go to that wedding dress designer in NC! Stop this craziness UPTV!!! It’s embarrassing!
DeleteI look forward to that episode and the reasoning behind a big renewal after only a few years. Whatever the reason, they are lucky to be able to do that.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I get the concept of vow renewal is in the case of adultery.
ReplyDeleteWait, what???...FOUR AND A HALF YEARS? Who does this? No one or someone who has a TV show pay for everything and are running out of ideas, that's who. It's a bit ridiculous to do something like this after 4.5 years. I guess we should have a big anniversary party for every MONTH-A-VERSARY too. Whit and Zach are nice people and I like them but this is nonsense.
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like Zach and Whitney are thriving in their marriage and as parents. It seems soon for a vow renewal but it is their choice. Whitney looks gorgeous in that dress and I hope it indicates a confidence that allows her to dress in any manner she chooses,even in the presence of her in-laws.
ReplyDeleteAgree, she has a figure to die for and she works hard for it working out she looks amazing in her figure hugging dress.
DeleteWho celebrates half years? That's so unnecessary and a wedding renewal that early?
ReplyDeleteFor our fifth we took a nice trip to Charleston and the beach. We didn't need marriage renewal vows as we're married for life. But I can see putting a little excitement back in life by doing this say, on your 25th anniversary or 30,40,50. It is kinda strange to do it so early on in marriage. I've never heard of that.
ReplyDeleteHey if thats what made them happy, they could afford it, and everyone had a good time... Thats what matters. nice for them.
ReplyDeleteWhy were Whitney's parents not at the original wedding? I thought she had them there?
ReplyDeleteI thought so, too! Who walked her down the isle if not her Dad???
DeleteWhitney did not have a relationship with her biological parents in 2013, so her adoptive parents were at that wedding. By late 2014, she had reconnected with the biological parents, so this vow renewal was a way to include them. That's what I was thinking when I posted @ 10:26am June 15th
DeleteOf all the couples are doing this it wil be only weddings in the show. Seems fake to me
ReplyDeleteFive year renewal vow? Kind of silly. I can see 10 years. Five is kind of early. And bridesmaids? I never thought of a renewal to be like a real wedding. It should just be the bride and groom up there. I think that is a bit much.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so sweet. They really are in love. You can see it in the way they look at each other. I hope all your dreams come true. Always!
ReplyDeleteTime 9:05PM Sat 6/16
ReplyDeleteNice for them to do the vow renewal on that Thursday someday they will tell there grandkids & Great grandkids about this.
My hubby and I have never renewed our vows, and in fact, for the past three years we didn't realise we forgot all about it until a month after it happened lol
ReplyDeleteAfter four and a half years? Why make such a big deal out of just four years. Seriously?
ReplyDeleteI guess I don’t get those trends where people feel the need to „upgrade“. A vowel renewal after five years is sweet- in full wedding mode seems very extra. It is like upgrading your engagement ring. If you want a bigger ring just wear it but it is not an engagement ring (exception: it broke or you didn’t get on at the time and planned it for later).
ReplyDeleteSadly, the 4,5 year mark gives the strong impression that they did it for tv which kind of kills the idea in my eyes (more so kind of diminishes the sentiment and reduces it to a pure circus show. That is not how to treat marriage and the commitment one has made.)
Their wedding renewal was tape last December
ReplyDeleteNo it wasn't it was taped last Fri - 15 June!! That's their 4.5yr anniversary. Last Dec would hv been their 4th yr anniversary!
DeleteMy husband and I say one time is enough, but renewing your wedding vows does sound sweet and I say good for them...Jane
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter why they are having a vow renewal. It's totally up to them and it's a lovely occasion. Negative or judgemental people need to shut their mouths.
ReplyDeleteMy esteem for Whitney just plummeted. I don't think the Bates' will ever be the same again. This isn't how real life works and I speak from an upper middle-class perspective. Just southern tacky. I would much rather see an episode of how her career is growing and her real-life struggles of balancing work, kids, husband and home. I would love to see them interact when their children are tired and cranky. That is real life and what "reality" television should focus on. The only renewals I have ever witnessed were at the 25th year anniversary mark and there were never attendants in full attire and bouquets. Once again - Upper middle-class perspective. UP missed the mark big-time on this one.
ReplyDeleteMoney can't buy you class.
DeleteI don't think the vow renewal is tacky if Whitney genuinely regrets not having her bio parents at her wedding and wants to include them in this way.
I can understand being skeptical since UP is televising it or critical of the bridal party attire. I agree about wanting to see real life over staged events, but the renewal may be a very real part of her reunification with Whitney's parents.
I agree with you Anon 8:27PM...100%
DeleteI totally agree!!
DeleteIt sounds like they wanted a more trendy do over compared to the conservative church wedding they had the first time.
ReplyDeletePlease don't use the term "southern tacky". That's a very biased term, as "tackiness" exists in all cultures and in every class, "upper middle-class" included. I don't think this situation defines "tackiness" anyway. Maybe not something everyone would or could agree with, but not "tacky".
ReplyDeleteI don't really understand the point of a vow renewal. Wedding vows don't expire, and personally, I know my husband and I reaffirm our vows every day, by talking together, praying together, and making time to focus on our marriage.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to have an anniversary party, go ahead, but to have a new bridal gown and bridesmaids and everything seems silly. ESPECIALLY for 4.5 years -- why wouldn't they just wait another 6 months and celebrate on their actual anniversary?
Good for Zach and Whitney! I wish them the best and hope they have as many vow renewals as they see fit! If the good Lord doesn't have a problem with it neither should anyone else. Wishing you two a life filled love, happiness, and the joy of the Lord!
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t this undermine their idea that “marriage is forever” and even the teaching I was accustomed to in Independent Baptist Churches that the wedding was only the smallest sliver of the picture, that a beautiful and lasting marriage does not depend on fancy trimmings and polished perfection, but the joining of a man and woman for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. And the famous last saying at every wedding I’ve ever been to “and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”
ReplyDeleteSo really, a vow renewal, while a nice sentiment, is just a fluffy waste of resources when the Bates are notoriously frugal otherwise. Plus, with NINETEEN children, it’s not like there is going to be a shortage of theatrical, circus-like weddings any time soon. Renewals on top of that honestly cheapen the idea of marriage to me.
Tacky, repetitive, and outlandishly expensive.
I normally feel like many of the negative commenters on the Duggar and Bates blogs need to just let the families make their own choices, as the rest of us do, without everyone jumping on them. However, I really have to agree with you about the vow renewal idea, especially when it turns into an expensive show. The only time a vow renewal seems to be a good idea is when there has been infedelity or other serious issues, and the couple is trying to re-build their marriage. I don't think I'd go so far as to say it cheapens the idea of marriage, but it just seems unnecessary and wasteful.
DeletePrayers and love for Zach and Whitney. I am so very sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteShe was about 6-8 with baby #3.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me what song Whitney walked down the isle to?
ReplyDeleteI just saw the episode in Australia last night and love the song used for Whitney to walk down the isle can anyone tell me what the song is Please.
ReplyDelete