You are currently planning your wedding, the providers are booked, everything is taking place slowly and it is now time to write your wedding vows but you don’t know how to ? This is a guide on how to write your vows, tips and many other examples.
1. How to write vows:
1. Start with a statement about who this person is to you:
Are you marrying: your best friend, your lover, your partner in crime, or your everything.
2. List the things you love about your partner:
The things (s)he does, her qualities, what she does for you as a couple… this way it will be easier to know what you want to point and talk about in your vows.
3. Anecdotes about you two, your first date etc. but do not add too many details:
Tell something about you two, throw back to your first date, a special moment you two have encounter and overcome together hands-in-hands.
4. Make promises:
Do not promises that it will be perfect but that you two are perfect together and will do everything for your marriage to last.
“I promise to always strive to meet your needs, not out of obligation, but because it delights me to see you happy.”
“I promise to be there for you when you need me, whenever you need me.”
5. You can mention things you want do together, mention the future:
Mention future projects you have together either if it about personal or professional projects, about family growth, business, trips ahead, things you want do together, you dream of doing together etc.
6. In both good and bad times:
Promise to be there in good and bad times because life isn’t a long peaceful river every day.
In wealth and in poverty, in health and in sickness, in joy and in sorrow, for the rest of our lives.
7. A last promise:
The promise of forever, for eternity and until death do us part.
2. Tips when writing your vows:
1. Practice aloud:
It is really important to train, preferred at loud to make sure that you know what you are saying, doing some changes and correct mistakes. We will recommend you to try and get advices from someone you trust.
2. Get creative:
Don’t hesitate on doing vows that suits you and forget about the traditional vows, write something with your heart, this is the most important. You can also do a private vow reading if you think it is the best for you.
3. Be spontaneous:
Don’t try too much! If you don’t feel like reading something, you can be spontaneous! For that, it is better to be confident and not stressed or shy. Writting vows is kind of hard and can be even harder and maybe “cringe” if you didn’t prepared anything and loose your temper easily.
4. Make a list of your favorite qualities, all your thoughts:
This will be a good start to sum up your ideas and have a plan of what your vows will look like in term of structure and tonality.
5. Keep constant eye contact with your groom:
You are mainly speaking to your partner, so make sure to keep the eyes contact.
6. Get inspired:
Get inspired and look out to some examples in books, websites and films. Here, some examples:
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
“When I say, ‘I love you,’ it’s not because I want you or because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You’re a hell of a woman. You’re the one.”
—Spike
Twilight
“It’s an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to, and who will accept you for what you are. I’ve been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. And [now] I feel like I can finally begin…No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let’s start with forever.”
—Edward
7. Indicate pauses and intonation:
This is important for the good following of your reading, make sure that you establish breaks, and change intonation etc. This way we could really keep track of the vow reading and not be bored or lost by the amount of text read directly or the lack of voice contrasts.
8. Framing your vows:
Try to use a beautiful calligraphy and write on a good support so that you could frame it and keep it forever as a decor piece and a reminder of promises you once made.
3. Some examples:
Some actual wedding vows examples:
“I, …. take you, …, to be my wife as you are. I promise to love, respect, and encourage you through the triumphs and obstacles of our life together. I pledge my love and loyalty to share the rest of my life with you.”
“I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I promise to love, encourage, trust and respect you even after our beautiful wedding.”
“Today, I promise you that I will laugh with you in all your moments of happiness, and I will comfort you in the moments of sadness.”
“I promise to accept you as you are. I have fallen in love with your qualities, your quirks and your outlook on life.”
“Today I say, “I do” but to me that means, “I will.” I will take your hand and stand by your side in the good and the bad. I dedicate myself to your happiness, success, and smile. I will love you forever.”
“You are my every dream come true, and I can’t wait for the reality we get to build together.”
“Today, surrounded by all of your loved ones, I choose you to be my husband. I am proud to be your wife and to join my life with yours. I vow to support you, inspire you, and love you always. For as long as we both shall live, I will be by your side—for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. You are my one and only today and every day.”
