Writing your Wedding vows are the treasured promises you make to your life partner. Some studies suggest that writing your own vows is actually more foster deeper emotions, and a stronger bond, potentially enhancing the longivity of your marriage.
Whether or not this is accurate, the wedding vow portion of your ceremony is your opportunity to express yourself, to declare your eternal love in a very personalized and intimate way. Whether you’ve opted for a destination wedding, traditional church nuptials, or a backyard ceremony, writing your own wedding vows can help make your destination wedding day the most memorable and extraordinary day of your life.
Make writing your wedding own vows meaningful
For many couples planning a wedding, writing your own vows can be an intimidating task. It may seem next to impossible to accurately capture what your partner means to you and translate the depths of your love into mere words. That’s okay; you don’t have to be a writer or even a creative, right-brained person to nail your vows.
Here are a few tips to help simplify writing your own wedding vows in preparation for your wedding:
—Talk to your partner about tone. Should you go lighthearted or serious — or maybe a combination of both? You don’t want to read a paragraph that gets the crowd giggling while your partner’s vows are deeply sentimental.
—Consider creative formats. In recent years, it has become quite trendy to add a creative twist to vows — like rhyming or singing /rapping them.
—Keep it short. Vows should be kept short and sweet, no longer than one to two minutes each.
—Get inspired. To stimulate great ideas about what to write, jot down the story of how you met, recall significant moments like the first time you said the “L” word to each other, the proposal, or your first date, and think about the specific qualities your honey has that stole your heart. Here are a few resources to help get the ball rolling.
Five Different Ways to Say Your Vows
5 Steps to Getting Over Your Wedding Vow Writer’s Block
Put pen to paper
Simply j start writing. Use the format that you feel most comfortable with (typing or handwriting) and don’t feel pressured to produce the perfect prose right off the bat. Start with “stream of consciousness” writing and then cut away the less important or moving stuff to focus on what you really want to say up there.
Make a few copies
Entrust your wedding day copy to your bridesmaid or best man so it’s ready to go when you’re standing at the altar. Also be sure to print out a nice copy for your Hawaii wedding photographer to snapshot, and set this copy aside for your scrapbook.
Practice, Practice!
Read your vows aloud in front of a mirror, your mom, or your best friend. Welcome constructive criticism, but remember these vows are a personal pledge from you to your honey, not entertainment for the crowd. Pay attention to details of your delivery, too, like voice projection (so your audience can hear you), inflection on certain words, and maintaining a good posture.
Keeping your vows private
Updated for 2024: I’ve noticed many of my couples are looking to share their vows in private during their first look or first touch if you don’t want to see each other beforehand. Either way, I love this trend! I love that you can really share your most intimate feelings for each other and we’re the only ones present to hear them. Somteimes a private moment to share your most inner thoughts about each other are meant to be shared with each other.
Remember that writing your vows should be a joyous process and a time to reflect on your love and what brought you into each other’s lives. Stay focused on the spirit of celebration and use the guidelines above to help you create vows you’ll look back on with fondness as you go through the adventure of life together.
— Jeannemarie
Jeannemarie is a Destination wedding photographer based on the Hawaiian islands and Charleston, SC. She is available to photograph your wedding or event where ever your wedding takes you. Contact her today about your BIG DAY!
