Writing Your Own Wedding Vows
Wedding vows are the most important things two people in love can say to each other. You want the right words for your feelings, but it’s hard knowing exactly what to say on your day. Finding a vow that is right for you is personal. It’s your wedding, don't hesitate to mix things up a bit, but remember keep things positive and don’t be shy about adding some humor.
It is however recommended that you share your wedding vows with your officiate, some time before the ceremony. Some ministers prefer certain vows and set ceremonies and may be reluctant to change. Sharing your wedding vows with your officiate a few weeks or months before the big day, will give allow you enough time to work out a compromise or perhaps even engage a different officiate.
Many couples make photocopies of their wedding vows to distribute among guests. This enables your family and friends to read along as the ceremony progresses, and provides them a with a souvenir of your wedding. Be sure to keep a copy to frame with your wedding bouquet or store with other precious wedding memorabilia.
Writing your wedding vows, however, can be harder than it seems. That is why we have put together an assortment tips for you to use as a source of inspiration.
10 Tips For Writing Beautiful Wedding Vows
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Consult your officiate... there is no point preparing heart felt vows, only to be told later you can't use any of them
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Begin early and take your time... don't wait until the last minute to start writing your vows
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Keep it brief... don't be too long, 1-3 minutes is ideal
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Research... read your favorite poetry passages, old love letters and notes to each other, inspirational quotes, bible passages, and love stories
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Talk to your partner...decide whether you are going to write your wedding vows together or independently
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Use strong words.. see the list below for words to make your vows come alive
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Practice makes perfect... read your vows aloud several times to yourself and your fiancé to make sure they work aloud
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Memorise your wedding vows, you want to look your future spouse in the eye... but take a copy with you (just in case)
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Be honest and speak from the heart
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Don't forget to say "I LOVE YOU."
Words to Use
Verbs
Respect, Challenge, Laugh, Cry, Cherish, Nurture, Stand, Love, Learn, Comfort, Support, Uplift, Encourage, Join, Accept, Give, Offer, Strive, Work, Experience, Share, Embrace, Develop, Adore, Devote, Promise, Honor, Commit, Vow, Pledge, Endure
Adverbs
Affectionately, Sincerely, Divinely, Totally, Only, Completely, LoyallyNouns
Partner, Friend, Lover, Soul Mate, Confidante, Family, Husband, Wife, Sister, Brother, Mother, Father, Teacher, Accomplice, True, Counterpart, Beloved, Best Friend, Growth, Freedom, Spirit, Reverence, Faith, Symbol, Beauty, Peace, Understanding, Joy, Eternity, Permanent, Trust, Integrity, Partnership, Forever
Adjectives
Kind, Enthusiastic, Thoughtful, Comforting, Energetic, Beautiful, Generous, Faithful, Exciting, Glorious, Friendly, Majestic, Down-to-earth, Awe-inspiring, Trustworthy, Dearest, Priceless, Loveliest, True, New, Unknown, Happy, Long, Eternal, Joyful, Enduring, Everlasting, Holy, Hopeful
Use Poems As Inspiration
The Prophet by Kahil Gibran
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.
Fidelity by D.H. Lawrence
Man and woman are like the earth, that brings forth flowers
in summer, and love, but underneath is rock.
Older than flowers, older than ferns, older than foraminiferae,
older than plasm altogether is the soul underneath.
And when, throughout all the wild chaos of love
slowly a gem forms, in the ancient, once-more-molten rocks
of two human hearts, two ancient rocks,
a man's heart and a woman's,
that is the crystal of peace, the slow hard jewel of trust,
the sapphire of fidelity.
The gem of mutual peace emerging from the wild chaos of love.
I Ching
When two people are at one
in their inmost hearts,
they shatter even the strength of iron or bronze.
And when two people understand each other
in their inmost hearts,
their words are sweet and strong,
like the fragrance of orchids.
