Writing Your Own Vows

“…to love, to honor, and to cherish, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” 

These familiar phrases, or a close reproduction of them according to various faiths and religions, have been recited for centuries at traditional American wedding ceremonies.  

However, for the past several decades, an increasing number of couples have opted out of traditional vows and instead, have chosen to recite their own carefully worded expressions of commitment.  

This makes for a much more personal, warm and memorable ceremony.

If reciting your own vows is something you’ve dreamed of, first, make sure your fiancé is one hundred percent on board with the idea. Then, quickly get in touch with your wedding officiant.  

While nondenominational ceremonies are typically open to personal wedding vows, certain religious institutions are stricter than others in this regard, so make sure you have approval from your clergy before spending hours and hours jotting down your innermost feelings about your intended!

Realistically, writing your own wedding vows will require time and a great deal of thought. 

Sure, it’s often funny when an unprepared groom improvises his vows in romantic film comedies, but on your wedding, neither of you wants to be caught professing your love with a silly, impromptu, nonsensical ramble!  

So plan ahead and give yourselves plenty of time to compose the promissory words that will alter your lives forever thereafter.