Writing Your Wedding Vows

When a couple decides to tie the nuptial knot, they are deciding to share their whole life with one another. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a couple to publicly express their love for each other. It is especially true of cultures and religions which allow a bride and groom to spell out their love and assurance for each other in the presence of their well-wishers. Even though there are traditional ways to write and pronounce wedding vows, nowadays many couples have started writing their own personalized wedding vows, and this exchange of vows is often a very important part of such weddings. If you are among those who like to write their own vows, don’t wait for second thoughts! You have actually taken a great decision. Remember, there is nothing more romantic than pronouncing your personalized marriage vows to your loved one with the whole world as witness. However, converting your feelings into a coherent string of words may not be that easy, so all you need to do is a little bit of homework. Here are a few tips to help you pen your thoughts perfectly for the D-day.

How To Write Your Wedding Vows

Whether traditional or civil, a couple usually has to exchange a set of vows in every wedding. If you feel that the words in the traditional vow do not fit your criteria, write down some of your own.
Before you start, make sure your institution allows personalized vows and confirm with your officiator about it.
Consult your betrothed to know in advance whether you are both going to say the same or different vows to each other. After deciding on this, jot them down.
Ask yourself a few questions before writing down your personalized vows, such as, “what is the best thing you like about the person you are marrying”, “what does marriage mean to you”, “how and when did you realize this was the person to be with for life”, “what promises do you want to make which will hold both of you together for ever”, “what will remain the same forever despite the changes marriage is bound to bring”, “what values do you admire in your partner”, and so on. The answers to these questions can form the crux of the vows.
Once you have done this, it is time to decide whether you want the tone to be touching or humorous, poetic or sentimental. To impress your love, all you need is to say your vows truthfully, and from the heart.
Make your vows sweet and short, as they will be easier for you to memorize and will also keep the audience interested.
While making your personalized vows, try to stick to the same length as that of the traditional vows.
Find some quotation or poem or a small anecdote that would describe your relationship and your true feelings. You can even borrow from Shakespeare!
Alternately, you can even use humorous lines like “I would never have found another woman to pull me out of bed and make me jog all around…” or that “I promise to be your running partner until our knees are worn out” !
You can even cleverly include certain experiences which drew you to her as an affirmation of your love.
You can start with “The moment I saw you…” or “I am not going to get a life partner as good as you…” or “I am unable to imagine a life without you…”.
Consult experts or friends who have already done this before and read out your vows before them to make sure they sound right.
Memorize the vows and practice them several times to avoid embarrassment on the big day. Make a copy and give it in your best man or maid of honor. This will surely help if you forget a line or two. If possible, write down certain points on a card and hand it over to your partner after the wedding or on your honeymoon as a life-long keepsake and reminder.
And finally, whatever vow you make, stick to it through life!

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