10 Top Tips for Writing Your Own Vows

Writing your own vows might seem daunting, but it’ll be worth it when you’re up at that altar. This is your chance to express your true love for your partner in front of your loved ones. You want to make sure you are making them memorable and enjoyable for your guests. Here are some tips and tricks to get you through it.


how to write your own vows

1. Read lots of vow examples for inspiration.

Start by reading traditional, by-the-book vows from your own religion if you practice a certain faith, and others as well, to see what strikes a chord with you. Incorporate these samples into the original words you write or simply use them as a jumping-off point. Once you’ve found a few you love, consider what it is about the style that draws you to those vows in particular.

2. Agree on format and tone with your fiancé.

Decide how you want your vows to come across. Do you envision them as humorous? Poetic and romantic? Go over the logistics too. Will you write them separately or together? Will they be completely different or will you make the same promises to each other as you would with traditional vows? Some couples do a little of each. Finally, will you share them with each other or keep them a secret until the wedding day?


tips for writing your own vows

3. Jot down notes about your relationship.

Take some time to reflect on your fiancé. Think about how you felt when you first met, what made you fall in love and when you knew you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. Write it all out to get your creative gears turning. Here’s a handy list of questions to help get you started:

  • Why did you decide to get married?

  • What hard times have you gone through together?

  • What have you supported each other through?

  • What challenges do you envision in your future?

  • What do you want to accomplish together?

  • What makes your relationship tick?

  • What did you think when you first saw your fiancé?

  • When did you realize you were in love?

  • What do you most respect about your partner?

  • How has your life gotten better since meeting your mate?

  • What about them inspires you?

  • What do you miss most about them when you’re apart?

  • What qualities do you most admire in one another?

4. Come up with one or two, or many, promises.

They’re called vows for a reason, so the promises are the most important part. One tip: Include promises that are broad in scope, such as ‘I promise to always support you,’ as well as very specific to the two of you, like ‘I promise to say “I love you” every night before bed.’


how to write your own vows

5. Write it all out.

Now that you have notes, you’re ready to establish a structure and write your first draft. Affirm your love, praise your partner, offer promises and close with a final vow. Another way to organize it is to start with a short story and then circle back to it at the end.

6. Avoid clichés.

Now that you have your first draft, it’s time to make edits. Borrow from poetry, books, religious and spiritual texts, and even from romantic movies, but don’t let someone else’s words overpower your own. You want your vows to sound like you and relate to your relationship, and that won’t happen if every word is borrowed from other sources.


how to write your own vows

7. Take out anything too cryptic or embarrassing.

You’ve invited your family and friends to witness your vows in order to make your bond public, so be sure everyone feels included in the moment. That means putting a limit on inside jokes, deeply personal anecdotes and obscure nicknames or code words.

8. Shorten your vows to one to two minutes, max.

Your vows are important, but that doesn’t mean they should drag on. Pick the most important points and make them. If yours are running longer than two minutes, makes some edits. Put some of the more personal thoughts in a letter or gift to your fiancé on the morning of your wedding and save any guest-related topics for your toasts.


how to write your own vows

9. Practice out loud (seriously!).

It might sound a little awkward, but this really is the best way to prep. Your vows should be easy to say and sound conversational. As you recite them, listen for any tongue twisters and super-long sentences, then cut them. This is also the time to practice the delivery.

10. Make a clean copy for yourself.

The paper you read from should be legible, so even if you’re working on it right up until a few moments before your ceremony, use a fresh piece of paper free of cross-outs, arrows and notes. And give some thought to the presentation too because it will likely end up in the photos.

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