Monday, December 14, 2015

Five Tips to Make Writing Your Own Wedding Vows a Breeze

For some couples, the classic “to have and to hold” wedding vows are a perfect fit. Other couples, though, would prefer to express their love with vows that they've written on their own. If you're not a born writer, putting a personalized spin on your vows might seem tough. Here are five tips for writing wedding vows that will make coming up with your own sweet words a breeze.

Take inspiration from the greats. It's been said that most good writers are avid readers, and it's worth keeping that in mind as you approach writing your own wedding vows. Read a wide variety of wedding vows to see what others have done. When it comes down to the actual writing, get inspired by your favorite poems, songs, books and movies.

Choose a structure and stick to it. Like you and your significant other, wedding vows are a matched pair. One side should mirror the other, which means that you and your future spouse should use the same general structure for both of your vows. In terms of structure, talk about length, content and tone. Reading vows that others have written is a great way to get ideas for structure.

Reflect on what makes your relationship special. Writing your own wedding vows is all about celebrating your unique, loving partnership. As such, your vows should really speak to what you love about your partner. Take time to jot down your thoughts and feelings about your relationship. As you write, include specifics about what makes your partner special.

Focus on broad promises. It's impossible to talk about how to write a wedding vow without discussing what a vow is. More than just a grouping of formal words, a vow is a promise. When it comes to writing vows for your wedding, it's a good idea to think in broad terms. For example, instead of promising to bring your spouse-to-be dumplings when he has the flu, simply promise to care for him when he needs it.

Start a month earlier than you think you should. Don't underestimate how long it's going to take to write your wedding vows. After all, this is a big deal. You're getting married, and you want every detail of the ceremony to be perfect. The longer you give yourself to write your vows, the less pressure you'll be under as the big day approaches.