Should You Write Your Own Vows?
Monday, June 30th, 2008The most important part of a wedding is one that is often given very little thought – your wedding vows. After all, without the exchange of vows, there would be no marriage, just a big party. Take the time to carefully consider whether you want to use the traditional vows or write your own unique ones.
Writing your own vows can be very difficult. You want them to be personal - but not so personal that you make the guests blush, romantic but not sappy, and contemporary yet timeless. That is a tall order!
Inspiration for your vows can come from anywhere, but they should be in keeping with the overall spirit of your wedding. For example, if you are standing barefoot at the beach wearing a simple dress and earthy handmade wedding jewelry, you could draw on nature or the ocean as a metaphor. Other good sources for ideas include your favorite poem or Biblical verse.
The most important thing about custom wedding vows is that they reflect who you are as a couple. The whole point of using your own words is that they will be meaningful to your spouse. And be honest with your fiance - if the thought of writing your own vows is terrifying, it is fine to use the traditional ones. After all, couples have been using them for a long time with good reason.