While writing vows may come easy to some, the majority of soon-to-be betrothed men and women don’t know the first thing about writing vows. But don’t panic! We’ve put together an easy guide to writing wedding vows so good, you’ll likely see your attendees dabbing at their eyes—whether that be tears of happiness or laughter.
Wedding Vows: A Brief History
To give you a brief overview, wedding vows have been around for a long time. Although, before it was customary for the bride and groom to proclaim their love for each other, Scripture was read based on your religion. Now, before you go thinking it’s not that different from modern-day traditions, let us explain.
Back in medieval England, women were the only ones to read vows. And unlike the personal, heartfelt scripture that’s said today, it was about vowing their commitment and obedience to their husband. It’s clear we’ve come a long way since then, which is why deciding to write your own vows is a modern sentiment to traditional times.
What to Include in Your Vows
If you're struggling to get your thoughts down on paper and need a little inspiration, then you’re in luck. We’ve put together some helpful verses to include when saying your vows. From a personal experience to everyday commitments, there is a wide range of ideas you can include.
Before you get started, it’s helpful to think about the tone you want to convey. Are you looking for it to be serious, or maybe a little funny? You may even want it to be a mixture of both. But once you have at least an idea of what you’re looking for, it will be easier to decide what to include in your wedding vows.
Here are the top ideas to think about when starting to write.
“I love you” It may seem like a no-brainer, but oftentimes people forget to say the simple, everyday things like this. It’s important to let your spouse-to-be know you will love, cherish and support them through thick and thick, for richer or for poorer… you get the idea. Ending your vows with, “I love you” can help wrap everything together and conclude your previous ideas.
“I remember when..” Including personal stories in your vows can make it incredibly unique to your story. Do you remember the moment when you realized they were The One? Or maybe there’s a humorous story you think about from time-to-time that sums them up as a person. Your attendees will learn something new about your story, and it can make watching your wedding video later in life extremely sentimental.
“I promise to..” Making a promise to your significant other can be a heartwarming gesture. Whether it be promising a lifetime of support or being patient when it matters, it can show how much you love them without having to explain. This is the perfect opportunity to comfort your spouse-to-be if they’ve ever mentioned a specific gesture they appreciate—even as simple as cleaning the dishes. “I promise to clean up when you’ve had a hard day, and to always unload the dishwasher when you ask me to,” can be a relatively funny and charming way to phrase everyday tasks your significant other appreciates.
I look forward to..” Since you’re making a forever promise to someone, it may be nice to add your hopes and dreams for your future life together. Are you imagining what your family will be like, or maybe your life together after retirement? Letting your significant other and your closest family and friends know these thoughts can create an extremely personal tone.
Tips for Writing Your Vows Now that you hopefully have a few ideas to get you started, you’re on your way to writing your very own vows. But wait! Here are some tips to keep in mind before the big moment.
1. Don’t wait until the last minute. Don’t make us explain further. Just… don’t do it.
2. Avoid clichés whenever possible. One or two may be okay, but the more you use the less original your vows will become.
3. Don’t embarrass your spouse-to-be. A little joke here or there is okay, but remember your entire family will be listening.
4. Practice out loud. Whether in the mirror or on your way to work—wherever and whenever it works for you. This will help you nail your vows when the time comes.