How to write your Own vows
We’ve all done it, we’ve all googled “how to write meaningful wedding vows.”
But sometimes the Pinterest tips and blogger’s guides to writing vows in seven steps somehow tend to leave us even more at a loss when it comes to crafting sincere wedding vows.
But here’s the thing
With the intimacy of a first look or small wedding, you have the opportunity to disregard traditional vow templates and ceremonial proceedings. When it’s just you and your babe, you’ll have full privacy to share your vows without third cousins and distant childhood acquaintances listening to an intimate series of promises.
Yes, I’ll be there to capture every moment of your day, but I believe in giving my couples space to be unconditionally honest. I keep a distance and I hear the clicks of a camera, while you two exchange words of promise and commitment. With complete freedom to be vulnerable and honest with each other.
Sharing your vows during a first look gives you the freedom to be raw and intimate with one another.
The good news is
Your vows are unique and personal to you. There’s no wrong way to write them.
Write your vows before the wedding day
Couples tend to forget to write their vows in their personalized books and end up having to spend 30 minutes doing that which might push the schedule back. Or make sure to give yourself a 30 minute gap in the morning to write everything down without feeling rushed. Feel free to leave out the last few sentences and I can document you writing it on the day of your wedding.
Vow Books
Vow books are great for the wedding day and as keepsakes — it’s a win-win in my book. Try reaching out to a local calligrapher, or the person who made your custom wedding invitations, to see if they can make personalized vow books for you. If you two love traveling together, consider a traveling journal from Wayfaren! You can write your vows inside, notes, put polaroids, keepsakes or even pressed flowers from your wedding. I also recommend searching for vow books on Etsy!
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER AS YOU WRITE YOUR VOWS…
Write vows that celebrate your love
Your wedding is a day of celebration, so toast to early memories you cherish, to the moment you first knew you loved them, to experiences you can’t wait to share in your future. These moments deserve to be heard and celebrated, so why not add them into your vows?!
Meaningful vows are often hopeful, sensible, and grounded in reality
You’ll inevitably fight about missed appointments, hosting out-of-town guests, and lackluster leftovers, but what will you do to show each other love and unrelenting commitment in these moments of irritability and annoyance? Detail what drives your love, and share ways you promise to commit yourself to your love in these moments.
You could view your vows as a pivotal moment
a conversation that separates the before from the future. As you write your vows, reflect on “how is our life going to be different after we go through this?” Make your vows concrete, and detail how you’ll love your partner in different challenges and joys of married life.
You’re choosing to love this person no matter what
What qualities about your person, or what experiences have you shared that give you the confidence to commit to building a life together? Do you love the way they love your difficult relative, or how they balance your whimsy with logic? Tell them what gives you confidence to sign on to a lifelong love.
And finally, write them down
Your vows will be perfect because they’re yours – they’re unique to the relationship that the two of you share. But regardless of the jokes, promises, and memories you work into the vows, make sure you take time to write them down. Whether you’re storing vows on your phone or a series of scribbled notes, take time to write down your vows in a booklet or a piece of paper on your wedding day. You’ll be so thankful for the tactile, physical reminder of these promises in the years to come.
