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Write Your Wedding Vows: Find the Right Words for a Memorable Moment

Why Write Your Wedding Vows?

Wedding vows are not just a tradition; they are the heart of your commitment. Thoughtfully written, they create a deeply emotional moment for you, your partner, and your guests.

  • A unique moment – The only time during your wedding when you speak directly to your partner in front of your loved ones.

  • A precious memory – These words will stay with you and your partner forever.

  • A sincere commitment – Your vows reflect your love and vision for the future.

Bride/Groom reading their vows during the wedding ceremony, holding a microphone.

Your wedding vows are a unique moment where emotions take center stage

6 Steps to Writing Your Wedding Vows

Person writing wedding vows in a notebook by the water.

Let inspiration flow by writing your vows in a quiet and meaningful setting.

1. Take Your Time: Let Your Ideas Flow Naturally

Writing your wedding vows doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a process that requires reflection and a bit of patience. Give yourself time to think about what you want to express, without putting pressure on yourself. Start by jotting down raw ideas, memories, or emotions as they come to you, even weeks before the big day.

There’s no need to write everything in one go. On the contrary, writing in stages helps you better structure your thoughts and refine your words. You can, for example, keep a notebook handy or use a note-taking app on your phone to capture a phrase or an idea as soon as it comes to mind. Inspiration often strikes at the most unexpected moments

—while listening to a song, looking at a photo, or even talking with your partner.

Then, let your text sit for a few days and revisit it with fresh eyes. Reading it again will allow you to adjust the tone, simplify certain sentences, or enrich your vows with more precise details. By taking your time, you avoid last-minute stress and ensure that your vows truly reflect your love and commitment.

2. Find Inspiration in Your Love Story

To clarify your thoughts, ask yourself these questions:

  • Your first meeting – How did you know they were "the one"?

  • Your daily life together – What does your partner bring to your life?

  • Your future – How do you see your life together in 10, 20, or 50 years?

  • Your promises – What values will you always uphold in your relationship?

3. Forget Perfection, Write from the Heart

Your vows don’t have to sound like poetry. They should be personal, using words that feel natural to you. Imagine you’re speaking directly to your partner.

4. Structure Your Vows for a Natural Flow

Here’s a suggested outline you can adapt:

➺ Introduction:
A memorable moment, a strong statement, or an anecdote.

➺ Main section:
What your partner means to you and why you love them.

➺ Promises:
What you vow to share and commit to throughout your life together.

➺ Conclusion:
A powerful closing sentence to end your vows with emotion.

Man writing in a notebook at a café, focusing on his wedding vows.

Organize your thoughts to create meaningful and structured vows.

5. Add a Touch of Humor (If It Feels Right)

Include a lighthearted promise to balance the emotion:
➺ "I promise to always have a secret stash of chocolate just for you."
➺ "I promise to laugh at your jokes, even the bad ones."

Practice Reading Your Vows Aloud

What looks good on paper doesn’t always sound natural when spoken. Practice reading your vows out loud several times—maybe even in front of a friend—to adjust the rhythm and identify any overly long or awkward sections.

Examples & Inspiration

Here are some sentence starters to help you begin:

➺ "When I first met you, I never imagined that..."
➺ "With you, I have discovered..."
➺ "You are the person who..."
➺ "I promise to always..."
➺ "In 10 years, I picture us..."

Nervous About Speaking in Public?

Not everyone feels comfortable speaking in front of an audience. If the thought of reading your vows out loud makes you nervous, don’t worry—there are several alternatives to help you experience this moment with confidence.

Interwoven Promises → A great option is to take turns making short promises. One of you might start with "I promise to always be there for you," and the other follows with "And I promise to make you laugh even on the hardest days." This approach lightens the speech and creates a natural, interactive flow.

Private Vows → If the emotions feel overwhelming, why not share your vows in private before or after the ceremony? This allows you to express your words sincerely, without the pressure of an audience.

Having the Officiant Read for You → You can ask your officiant to read your vows on your behalf while still preserving the full emotional impact of your words.

Pre-Recorded Vows → A unique alternative is to record your vows in advance and have them played during the ceremony. This ensures control over your delivery while still creating a powerful moment.

Letter Exchange → If public speaking isn't for you, a deeply romantic option is to write letters to each other, to be opened right after the ceremony or on a special occasion.

 

The most important thing is that your vows are sincere and truly reflect who you are. There are no strict rules—just what feels right for you!

Need Help Writing Your Vows?

If you’d like support in structuring your ideas, crafting meaningful vows, or improving your delivery, I offer personalized vow-writing workshops tailored to your needs:

One-on-One Workshop → Personalized guidance to help you write fluent and heartfelt vows.
Couples' Workshop → A shared moment of inspiration before writing your vows separately.
Small Group Workshop → A supportive and creative space to write vows with guidance and encouragement.

Discover the workshops here:

Hands typing wedding vows on a laptop, with a notebook on the table.

With a vow-writing workshop, receive expert guidance to craft vows that truly reflect your love.

Logo de Céline Larigaldie Cérémonies, deux colombes en vol avec un fil à la patte et des coeurs
Officiante de cérémonie
Bilingual wedding celebrant
Mehrsprachige freie Rednerin

Céline Larigaldie
Bezanson
3566 Route de Parron
47170 Lannes - France*
+33 6 20 61 37 69

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*As this address indicates, I live in Lot-et-Garonne in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, on the border between Landes and Gironde, close to Gers, Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne in the Occitanie region.  Toulouse, Bordeaux, Auch and Agen are the nearest towns. And as I celebrate weddings in English and German (and sometimes in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese), I can travel anywhere in France and even Germany... or anywhere else!

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