How To Write Wedding Vows
For many couples getting married, writing vows is foreign territory. How do you summarise everything you love about your partner into a few sentences in front of a huge audience?
The short answer is: you can’t. But you can choose the most important points and reasons why you love them to feature on your wedding day.
Vows are so personal and can be as long as short as you like. Helpful, right?
When getting married in Australia, couples will begin their vows by saying ‘I call upon everyone here to witness that I, (First Name, Middle Name, Last Name) take you (First Name, Middle Name, Last Name) to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife’.
Once you’ve said this sentence, you have the freedom and creativity to choose your style.
Here are some questions to think about before you put pen to paper or quill to parchment, whatever floats your boat.
Write down the 5 things you love about your other half
Write down 2 of your favourite memories together
Write down 3 things you love to do together that really brings you joy
Write down how you feel about getting to marry this person
Write down 2 things you’re really excited to do in this next chapter as newlyweds
Once you’re in the vow writing mood after considering some of these questions, read some of the examples below of different style vows.
Short and Sweet
Example:
Adam, you’ve been my best friend, confidante and the person that I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with.
Every day I wake up knowing that as long as we’re doing life together, then everything will be ok.
You’ve shown me how to love and be loved in returned and for that I thank you.
I’m so excited to be marrying you today. I love you.
Intense and Meaningful
Example:
They say that to meet the love of your life, you have to be ready to receive love.
There was a long time where I felt like I was never going to meet that person until I found you.
Emma, I promise to love you for the rest of our lives together.
I promise to be kind, supportive and caring in times of joy and even more when times are tough.
I promise to give our marriage and lives together the attention it deserves and prioritise it over everything.
I promise to be a loving father and the husband you dreamed about meeting.
Lastly, I promise to always kiss you good morning and good night.
I love you.
Funny and Lighthearted
When you’re planning a wedding, they don’t tell you that it’s a full time job… and whilst I’m not sure whether I was the best candidate for this planning position, I am definitely the best candidate to be your husband.
From sparkles to champagne to menu tastings, I would do it all again just to be able to stand here and tell you that today, I love you and tomorrow, I will as well. In fact, I will love you for every day after that.
Amy, you’re a no brainer. From the moment I met you, you were the girl I wanted to marry. You were also the girl I wanted to share my life with - the good, the bad and the ugly. And I apologise in advance for the ugly.
You are smart and funny and frankly, the thought of you doesn’t leave my mind all day.
Thank you for making me the man I am today. Also thank you to my mum who now feels she passes the official certificate of ownership over to you today.
I promise to be everything you hoped for and more.
I love you and thank you for choosing me.
Some extra tips:
1-2 minutes maximum length of vows
There’s a fine line between sharing funny jokes and embarrassing your other half. The vows are really a time to share what you love about your other half and not to make fun of them. Sharing funny stories is great but sometimes best reserved for the wedding speech.
The best wedding vows I’ve seen during my couple’s ceremonies are a combination of sentimental and light hearted funny.
Happy writing!