How to Write Wedding Vows

by Chris Semeral

The number of couples expressing their love by writing their own vows is growing every year. If you want to write your wedding vows, this article will give you some helpful tips to get you started and show you that it's not as hard as you may think.

First of all, you're to be commended for wanting to make your wedding vows personal. Too many couples let fear keep them from choosing their own words to convey how much they love each other. Who better to create those words of love and commitment than the couple experiencing the feelings?

As long as you both think it's a good idea, there's no reason you can't write your own vows. One of the most important things is that you both agree with this decision. It just won't work unless you're both willing to put your feelings into words and are then able to deliver them in front of an audience.

Before you even get started, if you're getting married in a church, it's a good idea to make sure your church allows it. You'll need to check, because not all churches will let you write your own vows.

You'll need to decide if you want to work on the vows together or separately. There are pros and cons in both instances, but the bottom line is that you need to do whatever will work the best for the two of you. Some couples want to surprise each other with their words; other couples want input from their beloved. Either way is fine; just discuss it before you get started.

It may be easier for you to write your vows if you consider that most wedding vows can be broken down into three distinct parts - the declaration, the description and the actual vows.
The declaration is probably the easiest part to write. Basically all you're doing here is declaring to your guests the intention you both have to marry each other. Usually the bride will mention the groom's name and he will mention hers. The declaration doesn't have to be fancy; it can be as simple as "I, Terry, am asking you, Christina, to become my wife today and live with me forever."

The next part is the description, which should also be easy. Here is where you describe the qualities and attributes that caused you to fall in love with your beloved in the first place. If you choose to supplement your vows with a few lines of poetry or some lyrics from a special song, this would be a good place to put them.

The actual vows are probably the most difficult and the most important. A vow is really just a solemn promise, a pledge of your commitment. Here is where you'll state your promises to your beloved, for example, "I promise to love you and be faithful to you every day for the rest of our lives." Your vows show your deep commitment to the marriage and bind your relationship together.

To Your Speciall Day!