Writing your own wedding vows can be nerve wracking. After all, you’re proclaiming your love and sharing your story in front of family, friends, and your partner. But even though wedding vows can be emotional, vulnerable and—let’s be honest—scary, it’s also one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your soon-to-be spouse on your big day.
If you’re thinking about writing your own wedding vows, but don’t know how to begin or are struggling to find the right words to express how you feel, here are a few tips to get you started and help make sure your vows are meaningful, amusing and inspirational.
Great Wedding Vow Writing Tips
Do Wedding Vow Research
Reading or watching other people’s wedding vows is a great way to get a feel for how vows should sound. Take note of things you like and things you don’t. Of course, you shouldn’t copy vows word for word, but do take note of tone, pacing and anything that is said that hits home for you.
Set Expectations With Your Partner
Before you begin writing, sit down with your partner and discuss tone, timing and format. Now is the time to decide if you both prefer humorous vows, more sentimental vows, or if you and your partner want to make the same or different promises to each other.
Take Notes on What You’d Like to Include
Start a brainstorm page and jot down everything you know you want to say in your vows. Personalize them by including quotes, stories, anecdotes, and special things you love about your partner. From here, organize your notes and create a general outline of your wedding vows.
Be Real
Sometimes being emotional can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing, but when it comes to wedding vows, it’s okay to show your heart. Now is the time to tell your spouse and family how you truly feel. Even if it sounds cheesy or silly, when you write from the heart you can never go wrong.
Write Drafts, but Not Too Many
Editing your vows is a must, but it can be easy to edit too much when writing something so important. Of course you want your wedding vows to be amazing, but getting them to be absolutely perfect is an impossible standard. It can also be easy to ramble on the day of your wedding. For everyone’s sake, try to memorize your vows and limit them to no more than five minutes in length.
Read Your Wedding Vows Out Loud
When your big day comes, your nerves will be running wild and you may get choked up. You also won’t be reading your vows in your head, so after writing your wedding vows, practice them by reading them out loud. Notice when you should pause for dramatic effect or when you expect your guests to laugh. Making note of these moments as you rehearse your vows will allow you to pace them out, memorize them, and give yourself a chance to breathe and relax before saying your “I dos.”
Choose the Perfect Venue to Say Your Wedding Vows
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so make it special by choosing the right place to host it. The Holy Trinity Reception Center has all the space and amenities your party needs to make your big day memorable. Bring your big day vision to life with our exceptional services and gorgeous, spacious venue. To learn more about our services and availability, call us today at 407-331-3036.