How to Write Wedding Vows that Wow

Survey 100 people about their favorite part of a wedding, and you will most likely get 100 different answers. However, there is no part of a wedding that is more romantic and heartfelt than the vow ceremony. While religious weddings and traditional ceremonies often have a formal and structured set of vows that are recited, many couples today are opting for weddings that include more personalized wedding vows.

In these cases, wedding vows can be anything from song lyrics to famous quotes to a retelling of your love story. In general, there are three various styles that couples choose from for their vows.

How to Write Wedding Vows with Qualities

"Qualities" vows focus on the reasons why you love your partner and want to spend the rest of your life with them. This includes acknowledging their strengths and qualities that you respect--kindness, ability to help, sense of humor, passion, and more.

An example of vows focused on qualities is: "Adam, I fell in love with your easy smile and kind eyes the moment that we met. You are always willing to lend a hand, whether to a friend or a stranger passing by on the street. Being with you makes me want to be a better person, and together, I believe that we can change the world. I love you and can't wait to see what our future holds."

How to Write Wedding Vows with Pledges

Vows that focus on "pledges" consist of promises that you make to your partner during the vow ceremony. This could include serious pledges, such as pledging to love them in sickness and in health, but it could also include light-hearted pledges, such as pledging to always put the toilet seat down.

An example of vows focused on pledges could be: "Jessica, I pledge myself to you in body, mind, and spirit. I will take the garbage out, put the toilet seat down, and kill any multi-legged insects that make their way into our home. As the great Adam Sandler once said, I'll help you do the dishes in our kitchen sink and put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. Oh, it will be so nice growing old with you."

How to Write Wedding Vows with Qualities and Pledges

Vows can also be a mixed bag of both qualities and pledges, focusing on why you fell in love with your partner and how you pledge to keep that love alive for the rest of your days.

An example of mixed vows is: "Steven, when we first met, I couldn't envision a second date with you, let alone an entire lifetime spent together. But as I came to know the kind-hearted, funny, and endearing person that you are, I couldn't remember a lifetime before you. As we take the next step in our journey, I promise to put my whole self into building a future together that is stronger and more perfect than whatever we would have done separately."