March 7, 2025

Tips for Writing Vows That Reflect Your Unique Love Story

Writing your wedding vows is a beautiful opportunity to capture the depth of your love with your partner. Your vows should reflect how much you mean to each other and the promises you want to uphold together. They’re super romantic and definitely a highlight of the wedding ceremony. However, once you sit down to start writing vows, you might get stuck.

How do you put your feelings into words? And how do you sound personal but not cheesy or cliché? Let’s find out.

Your Guide to Writing the Perfect Vows

If you and your spouse-to-be are writing vows, you may not know where to start. Here are some tips to help you craft vows that truly reflect your unique love story.

Include Personal Stories

cheerful newlyweds posing for a picture

One of the best ways to make your vows unique is to include personal stories. These can be moments from your relationship that hold special meaning or inside jokes that only the two of you understand. Mention that time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt or the first time you knew they were “the one.”

These moments will bring a sense of authenticity to your vows and help you connect with your partner on a deeper level.

Avoid These Topics

closeup of someone writing wedding vows in notebook

While you want your vows to be personal, there are certain topics that may not be appropriate for the wedding ceremony. Avoid mentioning the following:

  • Past relationships
  • Negative experiences with your partner
  • Inside jokes that may exclude guests
  • Anything that may make guests feel uncomfortable or awkward

While your vows are only directed toward your future spouse, your guests are also present to witness your love. Keep that in mind when choosing the content of your vows.

Write From the Heart

couple exchanging vows at wedding

Don’t worry about trying to impress anyone with fancy words! Your vows should come from the heart to be truly genuine. This is a special moment where you can be vulnerable and show your partner how much they mean to you. Start by jotting down your thoughts and feelings and let them guide you when you’re writing vows.

Follow a Straightforward Outline

woman's hand seen writing in notebook

If you’re still overwhelmed, follow a simple outline when writing your vows. A little structure can help you stay on track and ensure your vows cover all the important aspects. Here’s an example:

  1. Express gratitude and love for your partner.
  2. Share personal stories or inside jokes.
  3. Make promises/vows for the future.
  4. End with a heartfelt declaration of love and commitment.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Retro camera with blank notebook with hand writing

Once you have written your vows, practice! Read them out loud to yourself or a trusted friend or family member. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be with the words and delivery. Your practice audience will also be able to offer helpful tips and feedback, if requested.

Bonus: Collaborate With Your Partner

Newlyweds at marriage ceremony, looking away

This tip isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but some couples choose to write their vows together. This allows you to create a cohesive message and show how you’re on the same page.

If you decide to take this route, don’t forget to add some personal touches for your partner that they won’t know about until the ceremony—there’s nothing like a heartfelt surprise to make your partner feel extra special.

Marinaj Can Make Your Big Day Even Better

newlyweds in Marinaj venue

Your wedding is one of the biggest milestones in your life, and it deserves to be celebrated in a setting as special as your love story. At Marinaj Banquets & Events, we offer two of California’s most beautiful and elegant ballrooms for your wedding ceremony and reception. You’ll gain extra support from our experienced team to help make your wedding dreams come true.

Contact us today to learn more about our wedding packages and tour our stunning venues. We can’t wait to be a part of your love story!