Personlising wedding vows for your wedding day and crafting a ceremony that's uniquely YOU

So, you're getting married— well WELL DONE you! 

Now comes the fun part: planning a wedding ceremony that feels like you. Do you want the generic “dearly beloved, we are gathered here today” script? You know the one we've seen on TV for years and sounds like it was photocopied in 1982 and sent via Fax?

No, no. We’re talking about your story, your vibe, your vows. Because let’s be honest—your guests didn’t come for the wrapped chicken breast or prosecco. They came to hear how two gorgeous weirdos (that’s you!) fell in love and decided to do this whole life thing together.

What Makes a Ceremony Personal?

Think of your ceremony like a Spotify playlist. Sure, you could let the algorithm run it, but it hits so much harder when it’s filled with songs that make people say, “Oh, this is so them.”

That’s what personal vows do. They bring the heart, the humour, and the realness.

To me - personal vows are that very special bit in the ceremony (and my favourite bit) where it's just YOU TWO talking to each other, like you are the only two in the room. Where you are professing your heart and thoughts, telling each other what you hope your tomorrows hold. It's when you tell each other why they are your person. What do they do that makes you snort-laugh? How do they improve your life on the daily? And what you promise in partnership from this point forward.

It's just you two talking to each other and no on else is listening (except everyone is.....) Image by @storytellersweddingco

"But What If We’re Not Writers" I hear you CRY

Don’t panic. You don’t have to be a poet or a professional wordsmith. You just need to be you. Speak from the heart. Or the gut. Or both. Think about:

• When you knew they were "the one"

• What you love most about them

• What you hope never changes in your relationship

• What you're promising (in real life, not rom-com life)

• What you’re most excited for in your future together

  
  

Keep it short. Keep it sweet. Add a bit of cheek if that’s your style. (And if you need a hand, cough cough, I happen to know a celebrant who’s quite good with words.)

Personlising your wedding vows for your wedding day isn't hard.

Give each other a word count - minimum 150 words - maximum 400 words. (Of course you can go longer, it's your wedding and you can say what you like - this is just my POV as a celebrant with 300+ weddings under my belt).

Vow Tips from Someone Who’s Heard a LOT of Them:

✅ Be authentic - If you’re not naturally sappy, don’t force it. Your version of “I love you forever” might be “I promise to always share my fries. Mostly.” Say what's in your heart.

✅ Speak like you - Ditch the thesaurus. Write how you talk. Your partner (and a lot of your family and friends) is going to know when it doesn't sound like you. So Just Be You.

✅ Practice out loud - You'll catch what feels clunky or awkward. Bonus points if you can read them without ugly crying (but if you do cry, it's basically a standing ovation in wedding world). You can also record yourself and listen to it back. It helps you understand where to slow down, pause or what to emphasize.

✅ Print them - Don't try to memorise them. That is just putting extra stress on yourself. I will print them on a cute little vow cards so you're not reading off your phone (yuk)

A word about Chat GPT and Googling vows - sure, AI is an amazing tool and there is literally millions of ideas on this subject and words you can use for inspiration. GO FOR IT ........ BUUUUUT these are your personal vows. Emphasis on PERSONAL. They should sound like you. They should come from you. They should be the most genuine and authentic things you say on your wedding day to the person you are hitching your heart wagon to for the rest of your life. Don't let a BOT have all the say. And as per above, everyone is going to spot it a MILE away.

One last thing.....

Your ceremony is the beating heart of your big day. It deserves more than a cookie-cutter script. So take a breath, take a beat, and write your vows like only you can. (And if you want to skip writing vows altogether and do tequila shots instead—let’s chat. I’m flexible.)

I am here to help you and can give you lots of inspirational questions to help kick you off. I can also sense check your vows and compare them to your partners vows and ensure they are both on the right course. I am here every step of the way (if you hire me as your celebrant, I don't just help randoms who walk in off the web search street). So if you hire me then LEAN ON ME.

Good luck with writing your vows and I can't wait to hear them.

Here's some great weddings I did with mega happy couples