The idea of writing your own vows is so romantic – it’s the words that come straight from the heart and can make even the most stone-faced guests tear up. However, when it actually comes down to writing your own personalized vows, you may be staring at a blank sheet of paper. Now, that’s not to say that you don’t love your partner with all your heart. You just need a little push. But, keep in mind, whoever you’re marrying is going to love whatever you have to say, even if it’s a simple “I love you.” Here’s how to stop stressing out and get to writing those vows:
Don’t procrastinate
If you’ve ever waited until the night before or the morning of to complete a college paper, you know very well what procrastination can do to a piece of writing. You don’t want your vows to feel rushed or not to your exact specifications. Sit down way ahead of time to come up with a few drafts of your vows – it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around.
Inject your personality
Before you put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, think about what tone you want these vows to evoke. Do you want them to be funny, quirky, romantic, short and sweet, a mixture of everything? Either way, it’s something you should think about before writing.
Think of it as a love letter
If you go into this thinking that it has to be the most perfect thing you’ve ever written, it may be hard to write vows that have met the standards you have in your head. Take a few deep breaths and think of it more like a love letter that you’re sending off. What would you say to your partner if you were both far away from each other and you weren’t sure you would see him or her again? With that in mind, keep it classy – your grandparents are listening.
Keep your audience in mind
While you want your vows to be personal and meaningful, try to avoid too many inside jokes or including any information that might be too much for your guests to hear. Instead, share vows that everyone in attendance is going to want to shout “aww” out loud to.
Don’t be afraid to borrow
OK, how romantic were those words that Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams spoke to each other in “The Vow?” (If you’ve never seen it, look up those vows – they’re perfect.) That being said, it’s totally okay to do your research and borrow a few lines or words here and there. Tie in some of your favorite movie lines if you wish. Because sometimes what they say is just about as perfect as it gets!
Do you have any other tips for fellow vow-writers? Share your tips with us!
