How to Write Wedding Vows (That Don’t Suck)
So. You’ve decided to write your own wedding vows.
Cute. Brave. Terrifying.
If you're currently sitting in front of a blank Google Doc trying not to spiral…
Hi. You're not alone.
Writing wedding vows is weirdly hard. You love this person more than anyone on Earth—and now you have to sum that up in under two minutes without sounding like a corny Hallmark card or a robot?
Deep breath. We’re fixing that today.
This is your actually-useful guide to writing wedding vows that are:
Personal
Poignant
A little funny (if you want)
And most importantly—so you
And yes, I’m giving examples for every single tip, so you don’t have to “guess what that looks like.”
Because guessing = stress.
1. Start With a Specific Moment, Not a Generic Statement:
What most people do:
"From the moment I met you, I knew I loved you."
(Which sounds sweet until you realize you could’ve copied it from Pinterest.)
What to do instead:
Start with a moment that’s so specific, only the two of you would understand it.
Example (good):
"The first time you made me ramen at 2am because I cried over a rejected thesis—I knew I was marrying a man who’d feed me even when I’m dramatic and mildly unstable."
Same example (bad):
"You’ve always been there for me when I was sad."
(Okay... but how? When? Like, paint the dang picture.)
2. Don’t Try to Sound Like a Poet.
Sound Like You
What most people do:
"Your eyes are like the ocean.
Your heart is my compass.
Your love is the wind beneath my wings."
...Ma’am. No.
What to do instead:
Write like you talk.
Like you’re telling your best friend about your person.
Example (good):
"You’re the only man I’d trust to hold my purse, kill the spider, and not judge me when I rewatch the same true crime doc for the fifth time."
Same example (bad):
"You are my protector, my safe space, and the rhythm of my soul."
(Ever heard anyone say that out loud and not sound like they’re auditioning for The Bachelor?)
3. Balance the Funny With the Feels:
Humor is powerful—but don’t let it overpower the moment.
Use it to show your dynamic, not to avoid the emotional stuff.
Example (good):
"I vow to love you through every bad haircut, every football season loss, and every time you leave wet towels on the bed—because I know you love me through my morning grumpiness, my matcha addiction, and my ‘Pinterest wedding mood swings.’"
Same example (bad):
"I vow to never change the Netflix password when I’m mad."
(Okay, funny. But… where’s the actual vow?)
4. Make 2–3 Real Promises You Can Actually Keep:
Big, dramatic vows sound nice, but they usually don’t stick.
Instead, vow things you’ll actually do—daily.
That’s the gold.
Example (good):
"I promise to pause Grey’s Anatomy when you call.
I promise to say sorry first, even when I’m pretty sure you were wrong.
And I promise to never stop choosing you—even when life feels messy and loud and not-at-all romantic."
Same example (bad):
"I promise to always make you happy."
(Ma’am.....you’re marrying a whole human.
He will be grumpy.
And sometimes it will be your fault.)
5. End With a Clear, Grounded Statement:
Don’t trail off into poetic nonsense. End with a strong, steady, clear-as-day sentence that wraps it up.
Example (good):
"I love you for exactly who you are, and I can’t wait to grow old next to you—with a dog on the porch, matching socks, and way too many inside jokes."
Same example (bad):
"Forever and always, our hearts will dance together in the garden of eternity."
(Lol ...what does that even mean, Erin?)
Bonus Tip: Use a Template If You’re Spiraling
If all of this still feels too hard, use a vow-writing template.
That doesn’t make it less real—it gives you structure so your brain doesn’t combust under pressure.
Here’s a basic one to try:
-Start with a memory:
"I knew I loved you when…"
-Say what you admire about them:
"You are the only person who…"
-Make 2-3 real promises:
"I vow to…"
-End strong and real:
"I love you, and I always will—even on the hard days."
(If you still need an extra hand.
I made a Pin with Vow Prompts to help you reflect on your partner and get the words flowing— *SAVE THIS PIN* for when you're ready to start writing.)
Final Thoughts
If you’re worried your vows won’t be “good enough,” stop right there.
They don’t have to be Shakespeare. They just have to be true.
If your voice shakes, if you laugh halfway through, if you have to wipe away a tear—guess what?
That’s perfect.
That’s real.
That’s you loving your person.
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