Tips For Writing Your Own Wedding Vows
Writing your own wedding vows is an important and beautiful undertaking. It’s a chance to express to your partner all the love, dreams, and promises that you have for them. While it may feel like a lot of work, it’s well worth the effort—you’re opening up, being vulnerable, sharing your true feelings with your partner, and expressing your hopes and dreams for the future.
5 essentials to include in your wedding vows
When writing your wedding vows, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. Think of these as the starting point (the must-haves) and then expand from there if you want!
How long should your vows be?
Typically, personal wedding vows are around 1 to 3 minutes per person. I’ve witnessed longer vows many times in my career as an elopement and wedding photographer, but that certainly isn’t necessary.
Start by brainstorming
Even if you aren’t a hopeless romantic, you can still write heartfelt, meaningful wedding vows. Take some time to write down your thoughts (however random they might be) about your partner, your thoughts on marriage, and your hopes for the future.
Be yourself
The best advice I can give you is to just be yourself! If you’re a person of very few words, keep your vows straight and to the point. You don’t need to be a writer or a poet. If you’re lighthearted and goofy, include elements of humor or funny stories from your shared experiences to make your vows more “you”.
Incorporate a story
Think about how you met, how things began between you two, defining moments of your relationship, and how far you have come together. This will help guide what values and goals for life together you want to express in your vows.
Include emotions and feelings
Take time to reflect on all the moments that brought you together – the laughter, tears, joys, and sorrows – and try to capture the emotion behind it in your words.
Add a Poem or Reading
Words have a way of grounding us in the moment, connecting us to something deeper. Including a poem, reading, or even song lyrics in your ceremony can create a shared moment of reflection—whether it’s mystical, romantic, or deeply spiritual.
If you feel a connection to nature, consider a poem that reflects the wild beauty around you. Here are a few suggestions:
- “i carry your heart with me” by E.E. Cummings – A whimsical and deeply emotional poem about love and connection.
- “Sonnet 17” by Pablo Neruda – For the romantics—this piece reflects deep, unconditional love.
- Rumi or Hafiz Poetry – These mystical poets have countless works about love, the universe, and spiritual connection.
- Song Lyrics – If you and your partner have that song, why not include a line or two that speaks to your journey together? Whether it’s folk, rock, or something indie and obscure, it’s all about finding what moves you.
You can also write something yourself—a love letter, a simple reflection on your journey together, or a spoken intention for your future.
Including poetry or a reading in your ceremony isn’t about adding extra words—it’s about finding something that speaks to your souls and makes the moment even more magical.
Romantic Quotes
“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” —Maya Angelou
“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you, and I’d choose you.” — Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars
“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart). I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling).” — E. E. Cummings, I Carry Your Heart With Me
“I want to be there when you cry to dry your tears. When you feel lonely, I want to give you a kiss. When you are scared, to embrace you. And when you are happy, to share a laugh with you. I don’t know what’s in store for us, but I do know that true love outlasts everything. It outlasts doubt, hate, war, misfortune, and, most of all, death. I vow to you to always be beside you. Not only in this life, but the next.”—Mordred, Forever Alive
“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.” — E.E. Cummings, You are My Sun, My Moon, and All My Stars
Include Notes To Yourself
This is just a really helpful thing to do if you are worried about feeling awkward or rushing through your vows! You can write yourself little notes to remind yourself to:
- Slow down!
- Remember to BREATHE.
- Take a pause in a certain spot to allow words to sink in.
- Or anything else you want to remember in the moment!
Examples of wedding vows
Traditional
“{Name}, I promise to love and cherish you, in good times and bad, to be your partner and best friend. I vow to support you in your dreams and aspirations and to create a home filled with love and happiness. Today and always, I choose you as my partner for life. I take you as my spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. You are my love, my life, and my everything. Together, we’ll face the ups and downs, always by each other’s side. I offer you my hand and heart as a safe haven filled with love. I promise to stay faithful and devoted to you. Like this never-ending circle, my love for you will endure forever. Just as this ring is made of strong material, my commitment to you will never waver. With this ring, I marry you.”
Heartwarming
“{Name}, from the moment we met, I knew you were something special. You are caring, compassionate, and creative {or insert your own adjectives here}, and you make me laugh like no one else.. You’ve made me a better person, and I make it my life’s mission to cherish and honor you each day. Our journey together has been one for the books, filled with laughter and love. I’ll always remember the time we shared our first kiss. My heart was beating so fast, and I was so nervous! {Share another memory that you love}. In you, I see all of the strength and beauty that makes me proud to call you my partner in life. My heartfelt vow is to always be your cheerleader, lover, and friend – showing up with an open heart to explore this world by your side. I promise to support you and care for you in your brightest and darkest moments. Deeply and completely, I love you today and forever.”
Lighthearted
“{Name}, I love you with my entire being – I know, not the most creative way to start off! But it felt important to get that out of the way. I’m here for you no matter what life throws at us – through tears and laughter, sickness and health, and even when you choose your cat over me. We have so many stories together already, both big and small. {Share a few funny stories/memories, followed by a couple heartwarming/emotional ones} I can’t wait for the stories we make together in the future. I promise to always honor our history, keep looking forward to an ever-evolving future, and create new memories every single day. I promise not to get mad when you forget our anniversary. I promise to unclog the shower drain even though only one of us has long hair. {Edit these or add any additional promises here} I’m so excited to: support your dreams, learn everything about you (even if it takes a lifetime), never stop growing our love together, and enjoy each moment we share as one.”
Adventurous
“I promise to stand by your side as your equal, to support your dreams and passions as my own, and to create a partnership built on love, trust, and open communication. Together, we will forge our own path and embrace the beauty of our modern love story. In a world of endless possibilities, I choose you as my partner and companion. {Share memories of your favorite adventures together, followed by your hopes for future ones} With you, I promise to explore new adventures, celebrate life’s joys, and navigate challenges with strength and resilience. This modern love we share is boundless, and I vow to cherish it every day.”
Writing personalized vows during this special occasion marks a milestone in starting off a new journey together! Keep these tips in mind when crafting yours so they will be memorable expressions of love that last throughout time and space!
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Hi! I’m Andrea!
Photographer, storyteller, nature lover
Lume Photography is a creative Michigan elopement photographer & planner based in the Upper Peninsula. Behind the camera, you’ll find me (Andrea) photographer, forager, paranormal enthusiast. My passion is helping free-spirited couples craft their dream wedding in nature, and documenting the moments, emotions, and story in amazing photos. READ MORE ABOUT ME