There are only a few occasions more memorable and auspicious than a wedding. If you want to make your wedding something that your guests will never be able to forget, you must try to make each aspect of your big day “perfect!” Everything from your wedding dress and accessories to your favors and décor should be unique and appealing… What about the vows, though?
We are sure you have not given much thought to your wedding vows – not many couples do! But wedding vows are an important part of your big day as they help you express your true feelings for your significant other, your expectations for the future and your personal visions of your lives together. If you are considering writing your own wedding vows (which is awesome, by the way!), here are six valuable tips for writing wedding vows that will melt your partner’s heart and wet your guests’ eyes.
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Table of Contents
1. Cut yourself some slack
It is important to realize that you do not have to be a seasoned author to write your own wedding vows. Your vows should come from the heart, so try to be yourself and write what you feel. Look deep inside your heart and the words will start to come naturally.
2. Focus on what’s unique
An essential element of making your wedding vows more meaningful is naturally expressing what is unique about the other person. Meditate on your love affair and try to understand why you are marrying this person. Think about some things that you genuinely love about them. Perhaps there are some clever phrases they use often that you adore, or things they do that make them special to you?
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3. Write everything down
Once you tap into your feelings, put everything down on a piece of paper. You can make sense of it later, right now you just want to make sure that you are writing down everything that is coming into your head. You can fine-tune these later to be something which you are pleased to read on your big day.
4. Filter your ideas
As soon as you have everything written down, you need to put all of this in order and make some sense of it. You may have some thoughts that you want to keep personal and other ones that you want the world to know. Get them prioritized and into meaningful sentences. Do not just get rid of the ideas you want to keep personal. Share them with your significant other to let them know how you feel about them. Speaking of sharing your vows with your significant other…
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5. You should both be on the same page with your vows
It is a good idea to sit down with your intended spouse and write the vows alongside each other, or to choreograph exactly how the vows are going to be delivered. Go over what you plan on putting into words. You never know what the other person wants to keep private as something you think is cute and meaningful may be a little bit embarrassing for your partner. With each other, you can refine your vows into something that sounds great and that you are proud to say out loud on your big day.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Since this is a special occasion, you should give it all of the time and attention it deserves. Practice reading out loud what the two of you have committed to paper. This is the true test that what appears on paper is what you really intended to say, in the way you intended to say it. Rehearsing will allow you to determine how long exchanging your vows will take and whether adjustments are needed. If the wording sounds awkward or if it is difficult to read, change it. Practicing enough will also ensure that your vows have become your second nature. A case of nerves can strike unexpectedly, and at the most inopportune times. The last thing you want is to forget your vows in the middle of your wedding ceremony.
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When all is said and done, just let your hair down in your wonderful ball gown, take a deep breath and read your vows from your heart. Tell the congregation why you love your significant other so much and why you want to spend the rest of your life with them. Your spouse will surely be grateful for your love, thoughtfulness, and creativity.
Good luck writing your vows and have a great wedding day!