Are you getting ready to say ‘I Do’ to the love of your life? One of the most special parts of a wedding ceremony is when the couple exchanges their vows. These promises to love and cherish each other are a beautiful way to express the love and commitment you have for one another. If you are thinking about writing your own wedding vows, you’re in for a treat, read on for my top tips on writing your vows!
Not only is it an incredibly personal and intimate way to express your love, but it can also make your wedding ceremony even more meaningful. We know that writing your own vows can be a bit daunting so I’ve put together this guide that will help you express your love and commitment to your future spouse.
Here’s the tips and inspiration to make the process easy and stress-free. Let’s get started on what you need to know to make your wedding ceremony a truly unforgettable moment!
- Start by brainstorming
Before you begin writing your vows, take some time to think about what it is you’d like to say. Write down any thoughts or memories that come to mind when you think about what you want to say or express to your partner. Ensure that you’ve both agreed on a rough length for your wedding vows. Neither one of you wants to be monologuing whilst the other only has a couple of sentences to say. Whilst your wedding vows don’t have to exactly match in length it’s a good idea for them to be similar. It’s also a good idea to know roughly how long your vows will take so that you know how long your ceremony will take to read to one another, as this will help with planning other aspects of your wedding day.
- Avoid writer’s block
If you are struggling to know what to write then read examples of other people’s wedding vows, look at the types of things that are commonly included and see if that can give you some ideas for what you want to include in your own vows. You can find lots of inspiration and tips online to help you.
Instead of making general promises, try to be specific about what you will do to love and support your partner. For example instead of saying “I will always be there for you” include specific examples of how you will support your partner and include personal details that are meaningful to the both of you. Such as promising to allow the other one to always choose the treats at the cinema, or the next Netflix series to binge on.
Try to set aside time where you can be fully focused on writing your vows – you’re likely to need to do this more than once as you might need more than one session to be completely happy with your vows. Consider what works well for you; do you find yourself able to concentrate and be more productive in a quiet setting or do you prefer some background noise? Try a few different things and see what works best for you.
- Keep it simple
Vows don’t have to be overly complicated or poetic. Keep your language clear and simple so that your message comes across clearly and they are easy for you to express on the day, when nerves could be a little higher than usual!
Don’t be ashamed to lean on those around you a little. Ask close friends and family to describe you as a couple or recount to you a memory they have of you both that really stands out in their minds. This could give you some great ideas and even jog your own memory or inspire you to consider a direction or a moment to include you hadn’t even thought of.
- Funny or romantic?
Do you want your wedding vows to be funny or romantic? Or are you going to try and add a little of both? If you’re finding it hard to strike the right balance, then just remember the most important thing is that you speak from the heart – you really can’t go wrong with this.
- Practice! Practice! Practice!
As you write your wedding vows keep reading them out loud to yourself – how they sound as you read them in your head and how they sound out loud can be very different and once you actually hear your vows you may find that you want to change them or move things around a little bit so that they flow better. Reading your vows aloud will also help you feel more comfortable and confident when it comes times to recite them during your ceremony.
Finally, remember to keep it heartfelt, honest and sincere and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable or show emotion while you’re reciting them. It’s okay to laugh, cry or be nervous. It’s a special moment and the most important part of your day – making the promises you intend to keep to each other before you’ll commit to a lifetime of happiness together.