Wedding Vows: The Basics and How to Write Your Own

Writing Wedding Vows: Making Them Truly Yours

If we’re being honest, one of the most overlooked items on a couples’ to do list are “write your wedding vows”. The number of times we’ve shown up to a wedding day where one or both partners are still finalizing their vows is too many to count. So what’s the issue here?

The truth is your wedding vows aren’t just the heartbeat of your wedding day, they’re the words you’ll hold onto when life gets real and Netflix doesn’t have the answers. While traditional vows are still a classic go-to, we encourage you to swap the cookie-cutter phrases for something more personal, creative, and reflective of your unique love story.

Here’s how to craft vows that sound like you (and maybe make everyone cry just a little). Plus, we’ve reimagined the examples above to inspire your own creativity.

Revamping Traditional Vows: Adding Your Personal Twist

You might just be thinking: “Markie, does this mean I have to write my vows from scratch?” And the resounding answer is “NO”. In fact, I don’t recommend sitting down with a blank page and trying to write. That’s a direct path to some serious writers blog. Instead let’s start by giving some basic vows a fresh coat of paint:

Original:
“I, the bride/groom, accept you, the bride/groom, as my husband/wife, my life partner, and my one true love.”

Rewritten:
“I, [Name], promise to choose you every day, as my partner, my teammate, and the love of my life. With every adventure we take, I vow to walk beside you, and support you in every journey, always.”

Original:
“I take you to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I still do not know.”

Rewritten:
“I vow to love you for who you are today and for the person you’ll grow into tomorrow. I promise to honor the mystery of what we haven’t yet discovered, knowing that our story will only get better with time.”

Original:
“I promise to love you through thick and thin, when life seems easy, and when it seems difficult.”

Rewritten:
“I promise to love you fiercely on our best days and gently on our hardest ones. Whether we’re celebrating victories or braving storms, I will always stand by your side.”

Each little tweak, brings extra personality to your vows without sacrificing the meaning behind each vow. Pick one, two or all of them to combine into a beautiful message of your love.

Making Your Vows Uniquely Yours

Here are some fresh ideas for customizing your vows:

1. Tap Into Your Shared History
   Bring up a funny or heartwarming memory. For example:
   “I knew I loved you when you spent an hour untangling Christmas lights for me without a single complaint. I vow to always be your teammate, even when the knots seem impossible.”
2. Highlight Daily Moments
   Acknowledge the little things that make your love special:
   “I promise to make you coffee every morning, mostly because I know it’s better than the stuff you make yourself.”
3. Set Future Intentions
   Paint a picture of your future together:
   “I vow to adventure with you, whether we’re backpacking through Europe or binge-watching old sitcoms. Wherever we go, we’ll go together.”
4. Be Playful
   Humor can balance the mushiness:
   “I promise to share my fries, even when you say you’re not hungry. And I’ll never watch the next episode of our show without you, even if I’m dying to know what happens.”
5. Weave in Cultural or Religious Elements
   If faith is a cornerstone of your relationship, honor it:
   “I vow to build our home on a foundation of faith, laughter, and way too many throw pillows.”

Creative Exercises to Spark Ideas

Feeling stuck? Here are a few ways to get the creative juices flowing:

• Write Letters: Draft a love letter to your partner. Highlight what you adore about them and what excites you about your future together.
• Finish the Sentence: Complete prompts like “I love you because…” or “I promise to…”
• Borrow from Literature or Movies: Draw inspiration from your favorite stories. For example:
  “As Mr. Darcy once said, ‘You have bewitched me, body and soul.’ And like Elizabeth Bennet, I’ll probably keep teasing you forever.”

The Golden Rules of Wedding Vows

1. Keep It Balanced
   Coordinate with your partner to ensure your vows are similar in tone and length. You don’t want one of you giving a Shakespearean soliloquy while the other says, “Ditto.”
2. Practice Out Loud
   Words that feel poetic in your head might sound clunky when spoken. Reading your vows aloud helps you refine them.
3. Make It Timeless
   Inside jokes are great, but avoid anything so niche that future-you won’t remember what you meant. Your vows should still resonate years down the road.
4. Speak from the Heart
   Authenticity trumps perfection every time. Don’t stress about being the most romantic poet—just focus on being real.

Vow Inspiration from Real Couples

Still need more ideas? Check out how other couples have made their vows shine:

• “I vow to always be your biggest fan, your cheerleader, and your partner in crime, whether we’re tackling life’s challenges or building pillow forts on lazy Sundays.”
• “I promise to listen when you need to vent and to laugh with you when you’re being ridiculous. Together, we’ll turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.”
• And if you want to read MY wedding vows, check those out here: Geeky Wedding Vows | My Halloween Wedding

Your wedding vows are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell your partner and everyone you love what makes your relationship extraordinary. Whether you’re poetic, playful, or deeply spiritual, make your vows a reflection of you. After all, no one else can say it quite the same way.

If you’re ready to dive into writing, grab a journal, pour a glass of wine, and let the words flow. And if you need someone to capture the moment you say them, you know where to find us.

(P.S. Follow us on Instagram @markiejonesphotographyllc for more wedding tips and inspiration!)