Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Wedding Vows
We’re not usually ones to share a Do’s or Don’ts list since we believe wedding days are YOUR day to celebrate as you see fit. However, we were asked to share digestible advice and figured we’d share our two cents.
DON’T write a dissertation on your love and retell the entirety of your journey from beginning to end. If your vows are over 2 minutes when practicing it out loud, it may be time to edit. On your wedding day, your vows can easily take twice as long to share as it is an emotional day full of nerves and excitement. A good officiant will shine a light on your love, personalities, and values throughout your ceremony so don’t worry about needing to share it all. However, if you want to share a specific memory that holds a lot of meaning to one or both of you, DO share that memory and paint a picture of how that moment led you to this milestone.
DON’T keep your wedding vows on your phone. In your photos, it may look like an important text came through and you stopped to read it. DO print or write your vows out on a plain sheet of paper, cute greeting card, or vow book. This can be something you’ll treasure years later.
DO feel free to blend elements of traditional vows that you like. Over these past few years, I think we can collectively agree that the phrase “for better or worse”, “in sickness and in health” never felt truer, right?
DO incorporate your own brand of humor and levity into your vows. You’re into dad jokes? Go for it! You’re a fan of cheese? CHEESE IT UP! Your vows are meant for your team of two, so DON’T alter your personality to be more serious or poetic than you are. The best vows are the REALEST ONES!
DO include quotes or lyrics whenever relevant, especially if it elevates the sentiments you’re making in the rest of your vows and means something to you both. Remember to mention who you are quoting. Couples we’ve worked with have quoted Shrek, Dr. Seuss, Leslie Knope, Marc Anthony, T. Swift and the list goes on and on.
DO share your wedding vows with your wedding officiant, if they’re open to being an extra set of eyes for you. We’re always down to help but definitely ask your officiant first.
DON’T put so much pressure on yourself to capture the entirety of your heart and soul into your wedding vows. That’s too much for anyone! DO give yourself props for writing it before the wedding day instead of the day of.