I’ll be writing about you for the rest of my life…
Thinking about writing your own vows? It can admittedly be quite the task. Trying to fit all your feelings and promises into a few short minutes is never easy, especially when it comes to the person you love. But overwhelming as it can be, it’s always worth the effort.
Traditional wedding vows are pretty structured and to the point, but personalized vows are more intimate. Wearing your heart on your sleeve, this is your chance to share your story with friends and family, letting them in on the little quirks that make your relationship unique. But don’t let the nerves get to you! Here are some simple ideas to ease the process and write vows that truly reflect your love.
Three Simple Words, Two Hearts, One Unforgettable Moment
Picture Courtesy: @janelle.elise.photo
If you’re overthinking your vows and can’t decide what to write about, why not keep it simple and start with I love you? The three magic words are perfect to fire up your creative juices, and your partner could never get tired of hearing you say them. Furthermore, jotting down anything that comes to mind about your spouse and marriage can help a lot. Revisit your points later and highlight your favorite bits for the starting points of your vows. You may not nail it in the first go, but that’s okay! As long as you go with your heart and don’t think about perfection, you’ve got it!
Share Your Stories & Make Them Laugh A Little
Picture Courtesy: @lovebyhailley
Whether this means revisiting those memorable moments with your partner in a private exchange or giving your guests a little sneak peek into your relationship, recalling a few highlights from your time together so far is a great way to ease the nerves and comfort the both of you. Not to forget the silly moments that you can’t help but laugh at! So even if you’re vows are more on the sentimental side, adding a hint of humor is always a bonus.
Take Inspiration From Songs, Movies & Literature
Picture Courtesy: @nbc
If you have a favorite line from a movie or song that expresses what you struggle to put in words, don’t be afraid to use them! Whether it’s a quote from a Disney movie you love watching together or a line from a romantic poem you found, including them is a great way to communicate deep emotions in simple sentences.
Be On The Same Page But Keep It A Surprise
Picture Courtesy: @sarahfalugo.co
If you’re struggling with a starting point or prefer to align your vows with your partner’s, you can always sit together and discuss the tone and structure. Whether you want to include inside jokes or keep it generic, lean more humorous or sentimental, make it reminiscent or focus on promises for your life ahead, brainstorm on the base points to help you get started. But even when doing so, we suggest keeping your vows a secret from each other until the moment comes. Your vows are your gift to each other. Hearing your spouse’s speech for the first time and seeing their unfiltered reaction to your heartfelt words can make the moment all the more remarkable for the two of you. And if you plan on making it intimate with private vows, it is bound to have them feel every word pouring out from your heart, making it a personal moment that the two of you will hold forever.
Practice Makes Perfect
Picture Courtesy: @lovestoriesbynat
You may be confident and probably even decide to opt-out of reading your vows and speaking from the heart. But you’ll likely feel those wedding day jitters and butterflies in your stomach. And being nervous may have you fumbling during your vows. The best way to avoid that is by practicing your speech. Reading it aloud can help you spot bits where your grammar needs work, tweaking it into a more cohesive structure. It helps with confidence and delivery, and if you have a trusted friend (who is also a pro secret keeper… Important!), they can be a great ally to help you with constructive feedback, making sure you get that meaning across.
Now that you have an idea of how to get started with your wedding vows check out these sweet poems to inspire your literary declaration of love into forever.
Feature Image Credit: @stephenliberge
