Any advice on writing my vows to my wife-to-be?

I always advise my couples to not sit down and think of vows to write to your honey. If you do this, your vows could become contrite and not really what is real to you. 

A good idea is to always have pen and paper on you so when you think of things you love about your partner, write it down then..... Then when you have some things written down that you are happy with and feels like thiey are real to you, you can sit down and re-write them to make sense to everyone else.

And don't think that your vows have to be "proper", say what you want to say, not what you think is expected of you.

Regards

Robyn Rodda

xx

Oh... I love the Vows bit!!  Love to help with these too.  I suggest they can be as long, short, complex or simple as you like, and serious or funny.... as long as they contain the legal bit that I'm happy to put in there for you. I say 'go from the heart',  it's the one shot you have of telling your chosen one how you feel and what your dreams are...  Your marriage is a public declaration of your private dream, so make it memorable if you want to!  I have lots of wording suggestions I send to my couples. These can be a starting point and be mixed and matched to suit you.  I also suggest couples send me their vows separately and keep them secret from eachother until the big day.

Hi Nathan! 

First! Asking for help is the best start and you have already covered that by asking here! So you are off to a flying start!

Your celebrant will be there to help you for sure!

Sometimes I find that I ask a groom to write how they feel in any format they feel like the words flow eg, dot points, short sentances or one big chuncky paragraph -  whatever works for them first up. Then we workshop it together to get it to work in a classic vow format or find a way to make it their own in a way where their dot points etc sound more smooth and articulate. Image that you are giving me all the "golden nuggets" of info and I (the celebrant) fill in the blanks and make it work. 

Hope that helps! :)

Claire 

- Married By Claire

You just have to write straight from your heart!  It doesn't matter if you think that you are not very good at writing, just write down exactly what you want to say to your beautiful bride to be and, if you are worried it doesn't sound quite right, send off to your celebrant to read over:  you will find he/she can give you excellent advice!

Hi Nathan

My advice would be to think of your vows the same as you would if you were to write a love letter. Its an intimate expression of your love, your promises, and to your life together. Getting started is the challenge, going somewhere quiet, taking time on your own and think about what you would love to tell your wife to be. Be yourself and be honest. Whatever you say will be right for you and your wife.

Your celebrant can always help you get started.

Maureen

Nathan, the beauty about writing your own vows is that there is no right or wrong! Aside from the one line you are legally required by law to say (your celebrant will advise you on this) you can say anything you feel. 

So if you aren't the type of person who is usually mushy and romantic - don't feel that you have to be mushy in your vows. If you want to promise that you won't spend all weekend watching the footy, or that you will buy her flowers at least once a month, that's fine! 

Generally I advise my couples to make their vows about them as a couple, whether that is sweet and serious or lighthearted and funny - your vows should reflect who you are. 

If you are finding it difficult to begin, sit down together and work out your first line, then go from there. Good luck!!

Hi Nathan,

Everyone knows how they feel in their hearts, however putting these feelings into words can be difficult.  I have a vast range of sample vows I give my couples, however I encourage them to read through then use the words that best describe their feeings.  In some cases my couples find bits and pieces that they like, plus they may have their own "Personal" things they want to say (i.e. I'll take you to dinner once a week if you're happy for me to watch the footy on the weekend etc...), and if they need my help I can tweek the words so it sounds nice..

So if your celebrant can't help you, maybe search the internet for something close, then make it your own!!!

Cheers Kim-Maree Summers, Celebrant  :)

Hi Nathan,

Your vows are words from your heart, how you felt when you first met and what it is about her that you love so much.  It could be the little things she says that make you laugh and how she makes you feel when you are together, maybe its something she does that might annoy you but you still love her with all your heart.

You could check out Vows on the internet that may help you get started.   

Good Luck Nathan.

Andrea

Speak or write from the heart. Don't ramble. Have someone proof read your vows for you.