Writing personalized vows isn’t always easy. How do you tell your person all the things in just a few paragraphs–plus, how do you make sure you aren’t telling the same stories or that one person doesn’t read their vows for 8.5 minutes and the other person barely has 45 seconds.

Follow this easy template for consistency between you and your partner!

Bonus tip–start writing your vows early. Even if you start writing them 6 months in advance and forget about it until the month of the wedding you have something to start with!! This will also help you get everything you want to say down on paper without forgetting anything you want to add.

Story or memory

This is a great way to start your vows! Sharing a personalized memory will help you get comfortable and shake some nerves before diving into your promises to each other. This is a great way to make both of you giggle and set the stage for everything that follows.

Some ideas include the first day you met, your proposal, your favorite or first date, the date you “knew” they were the one or a silly story that illustrates why you love them (which is also a great transition into the next section).

Example: [First name], I knew you were my soulmate on our first date. The way you genuinely cared about what I was saying and ignored everything else going on around us made me feel like we were the only ones in the room. Once we started talking, I knew I never wanted to stop.

Why you love them

This is the time to highlight the reasons you want to spend the rest of your life with this human! The traits and qualities about your other half that make you fall in love deeper and deeper every day. It’s also a good idea to make sure you say “I love you” at some point in your vows, so this could be a great spot for that.

Example: [First name], I love that you make me feel so special no matter where we are or what we are doing. The way you take care of me makes me fall more in love with you every day. Your drive to provide and build our lives together inspires me to work harder and set larger goals than I could have ever imagined.

Promises or Vows

Now time for the action! Here is when you should share what you intend to do in your marriage. Make sure these aren’t too specific (ie. I promise to always load the dishwasher), unless that has deeper meaning for your relationship!

Some vows/promises we LOVE and you should totally steal:

• I promise to encourage you and inspire you
• I promise to laugh with you in times of joy and to comfort you in times of struggle
• I promise to love you when life seems easy and when it seems hard
• I promise to be your lover and companion, but also your friend
• I promise to be your partner in parenthood
• I promise to be your ally in conflict, your greatest fan, and your toughest adversary
• I promise to work with you to continuously build our relationship
• I promise to love you unconditionally and without hesitation
• I promise to choose you today, and every day after
• I promise to give you the best of myself and ask of you no more than you can give
• I promise to respect you as your own person and to prioritize your interests, desires, and needs
• I promise to share with you my time and attention
• I promise to bring joy, strength, and imagination to our relationship
• I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you see through into my world and my innermost fears and feelings
• I promise to spend every moment I can with you, to learn with you, to love with you, to anticipate your needs, and rejoice with you as my partner
• I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when they aren’t funny

Acknowledge challenges or obstacles may come

Throw in a line or two about challenges or obstacles to represent you are in it, good times and bad. Share your intent on sticking around through life’s many seasons.

Example: No matter what life throws at us, I know we will face it together as a team.

What you are looking forward to

We love vows that end with looking to the future. Marriage is typically long term and it can be sweet to look forward.

Example: I look forward to falling in love with you over and over again each day.

Tips for writing your vows!

Once you have written your vows, it’s a good idea to have a close friend or family member read through both your vows and your partner’s vows to make sure you aren’t repeating the same stories. Also, make sure to have a clean copy of your vows ready to go on your wedding day! The photographer in me must mention, PLEASE don’t read your vows off your phone during the ceremony. Take the time to write them down on a piece of paper or in custom vow booklets. Not only does this enhance your wedding photos (whether we’re capturing your special day in Wisconsin’s beautiful landscapes or at your dream destination venue), but these vow booklets become treasured keepsakes you can keep forever or even frame alongside your wedding portraits.

What do you think? Are you writing your own vows or sticking with something traditional? I am a sucker for personalized vows. They are so special and intimate. Remember, you don’t have to share your vows in front of an audience. You can exchange written vows earlier in the day, or have a private vow exchange before your ceremony. Talk with your photographer (whether you’re working with me in Wisconsin or at your dream destination) and planner/coordinator to figure out what’s right for you! Having photographed private vow exchanges across Wisconsin and now at stunning destinations worldwide, I can help you plan the perfect moment and lighting for these intimate exchanges.

Destination Wedding Vow Tips

If you’re planning destination vows, consider incorporating elements from your chosen location into your promises. As your photographer who now travels worldwide for weddings, I love the idea of couples beautifully referencing the ocean waves as a metaphor for enduring love in beach ceremonies, or promising to climb life’s mountains together during mountaintop exchanges.

When planning your destination vows, remember these special touches:

• Bring a backup copy of your vows in your carry-on luggage (or make sure to have a picture or digital copy)
• Explore local customs that might inspire unique vow elements
• Choose vow booklets that complement your destination’s aesthetic

Looking to capture both your vows and the breathtaking backdrop of your destination wedding? Let’s discuss how my photography services can now follow your love story anywhere in the world!

Ready to have a laid-back wedding photography experience where you can truly be yourselves?

Whether you’re planning an intimate Wisconsin wedding surrounded by our beautiful local landscapes, or dreaming of exchanging vows on a distant beach, mountaintop, or European villa, your celebration deserves to be captured with all its genuine moments and spontaneous joy.

Now booking both Wisconsin weddings AND destination celebrations worldwide! I bring the same attention to detail and authentic storytelling approach to every wedding, wherever your love story unfolds. Let’s chat about how we can document your unique love story, whether it’s close to home or at your dream destination!

VENDOR DETAILS:

Venue: Sisterhill Inn
Planner: Kindred Souls Collective
Florist: Beautifully Bloomed
Stationary: Blush and Birch
Hair/Makeup: Stephanie Mueller
Dress: Hope’s Bridal
Charcuterie: Fox & Honey
Glow: Airbrushed Sunless
Tux: Moments Tux Shop
Couple: Angela + Corey
Earrings: Made By Mady