Writing our own wedding vows
I knew before Andrew and I even got engaged I wanted to write my own vows. I have always felt that personalized vows mean more than the standard repeat after me. A wedding ceremony only lasts a few minutes and the emotions during that moment are so high that it is difficult to remember each word spoken. Taking time to write our vows before the wedding gave us the time to truly reflect on why we were joining as one and what that meant to each of us. It made our promise to one another and to God come directly from the heart.
Andrew was a little nervous about writing vows at first. He knew I write often and he doesn’t, so therefore he doubted himself. We agreed to write our vows together. At first we thought we would create our own version of the repeat after me, in our own words and both say the same thing. However, as we started searching ideas online and putting words on paper we realized we each liked different variations of the vows.
I liked ‘through the sunshine and the rain‘ whereas he liked ‘through the ups and downs‘ – both the same meaning yet are in our own voice.
Before our ceremony our lives were extremely hectic. We both were so nervous that we wouldn’t be able to memorize our vows word for word. Since we wrote different things to say, it didn’t make sense to have the Officiant conduct the repeat after me with our words. Our Officiant assured us that there was nothing to be nervous about and that it was completely acceptable to read our vows from a small notecard. Although Andrew and I both had gone over our vows a hundred times we felt more comfortable and relaxed reading them. It took the pressure off.
During our ceremony we were blending a family. Our union was about more than just husband and wife. We were making promises to our children as well. Including our kids in our vows was one thing we both agreed was crucial. Our kids stood up at the alter with us and listened as we vowed to be a supportive family and love one another equally. The Officiant asked the kids if they understood and agreed, each of them said yes.
Andrew:
As the two of us are joined on this day, we become part of each other: your feelings become my feelings; your sorrows become my sorrows; your joys become my joys; your cares become my cares, and your children become my children.
I promise to be a true and faithful husband and father, always there to comfort you and laugh with you through the ups and downs in life. My love for you, Tapanga, Gabby and Noah is pure and unshakable, and I hereby commit myself to all of you from this day forward.
Dwan:
God has given us a second chance at happiness. I come today to give you my love, to give you my heart and my hope for our future together.
I promise to be a loving and faithful wife to you, and also a patient, loving mother to Vanessa and Jagger, caring for them and providing for them as my own. I promise to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.
But most of all I vow to love you, through all times; happy and sad, easy or difficult, through the sunshine and through the rain for the rest of my days.
Did you write your own wedding vows?
Your vows brought tears to my eyes. I think it’s so special when your own vows are used instead of the traditional, old standby vows, although I have a huge fan of all things traditional. I used the traditional vows, but then said a few of my own lines, my husband did the same.
That is so beautiful. I didn’t write my own vows, but in retrospect I wish I had.
Your vows are beautiful. I wish my hubby and I would’ve written ours 38 years ago. I think it means so much.
These are such beautiful vows. I love when couples write their own vows because it feels so special.
What a beautiful ceremony. We did not write our own vows. We didn’t have a wedding. We’ve been thinking about doing one for a vow renewal. Maybe personal vows are in order.
Absolutely beautiful! We never wrote our own vows, and I don’t know that I could have. I always have such a difficult time getting onto paper, just exactly what it is that I want to say.
Gorgeous vow, BEAUTIFUL wedding photos. Ya’ll look so classic.
Those are such sweet vows. Congrats and wishing you both the best.
The pictures are awesome! I had to recite something at my son’s wedding and they told me weeks later I could use a note card. I was so relieved, even though by then I knew what to say.
Beautiful pictures and beautiful vows. I always love it when couples write their own vows.
What gorgeous vows! I love personal vows like this. They really give you an insight into how a couple really sees each other.
I love these pictures, and I love the vow. They were so beautiful!
Oh my gosh, you’re such a gorgeous bride! I love your vow, too.
Absolutely beautiful–both the vows and the pictures. I did not write my own vows, but I wish I did.
The vows are so beautiful! And the photos are gorgeous!
Beautiful. I didn’t write my own vows. Reading yours, makes me wish we had written ours.
What beautiful vows, I hope you kept the papers! I would be so nervous reading them aloud!
The photos are just as beautiful as the vows!
I’m not sure I could have gotten thru those without falling apart! Beautiful!
The photos are stunning and the vows are so beautiful. I loved reading this post!
so beautiful. i love seeing your wedding updates. so happy for you
What a beautiful couple!! How neat that you wrote your own vows. We went for the standard vows.
My hubby and I did not write our own, but I love it when couples do. Beautiful wedding and you were absolutely glowing
We didn’t write our own vows, I didn’t really know you could when I got married but I think it is a wonderful idea and would encourage any of my children (in the future) to do this very thing. Your wedding vows are beautiful and it is an amazing thing that not just are you giving yourself to him but you are giving a bigger portion of your heart because you are allowing him to be in your children’s lives. May you have the best 2nd chance and only find pure happiness from this day forward. Your dress is gorgeous by the way.
This simply beautiful. I wish we had written our own vows!
This is so precious. I like personally written vows but prefered to go the traditional route for our wedding. I liked the history of it. The fact that generations of people I admire said those same words.
I love when i am at a wedding and the couple write their own vows. It adds such a personal touch to the ceremony.
What pretty pictures. I like the idea, if both people agree, to write your own vows. It’s your words and to me it means more. Doesn’t matter what you’re saying, as it is coming from the heart of the person you love!
We didn’t but I wish we had. I think we will for our 10 year anniversary, I want to renew our vows!
I think writing your own vows is a great and loving way to make a wedding more personal. Beautiful pictures.
I love this! I also love how you two included the children coming together, very beautiful. I can totally tell this is from your heart, while I do not know Andrew personally I can feel his commitment and love for your blended family in the written words! Very very happy for both of you! Justin and I did write our own vows so to speak, we actually did use a reeat after me theme but switched up some wording in vows we had found online to reflect our scenario.
Love this! Such sweet photos! I think writing your own vows is so special.
We didn’t but we plan on renewing our vows. We will write our own then.
These vows are so beautiful! Your pictures are too, thanks so much for sharing your touching story!
Those vows are really beautiful! At this point I’m not sure marriage is in my future, but if I ever do, I’d love to write my own vows 🙂
This is so lovely! We didn’t write our vows but sometimes I wish that we did!
its really sweet.. i love the vows!
That is so sweet. Beautiful pics.
Oh your vows are lovely! I can feel my heart swelling up- there’s just so much love! I love couples who write their own vows. I believe it’s so much more special than the traditional wedding vows, plus it feels and sounds more heartfelt. You guys nailed it!
Hi Dwan,
This is so sweet. 🙂 I wrote my vow, the wedding day itself, while my make-up artist was doing his magic. I never thought my husband would do his. I was surprised when he brought out a big piece of paper. That was sweet.
Love reading this favorite post of yours, makes me reminisce those wedding day preparations and everything 😉
Cheers.
Jessica
Wow. This is extremely sweet. Such great vows. Beautiful pics as well. I am not married but to be honest this post really effected me. I will write my own vows as well