Should You Write Your Own Wedding Vows?
Lately it has become more common for couples to write their own wedding vows—something that sounds good at first but can become a very large undertaking. Wedding vows are, of course, the most important part of your wedding ceremony and it is important that they reflect not just who you are, but the kind of marriage that you want to have.
If you have been thinking about writing your own vows, but aren't sure whether it is right for you and your future spouse, here are some things you should ask yourself:
1. Will my church/wedding officiator allow us to write our own vows? There are some churches and wedding officiators that will not let you write your own vows. If you are getting married in the Catholic Church, for example, and want a traditional Catholic ceremony, you must use the traditional wedding vows that are a part of that ceremony.
2. Is writing our own vows something that both my partner and I want to do? If only one of you wants unique vows, you need to take some time and talk about your ceremony. Your partner might have very important reasons for wanting to use traditional vows. Come to an agreement you can both accept.
3. Do we have time to write our own vows? Writing wedding vows is not something that can be accomplished in just a few minutes. Vows take time to prepare and if your wedding is already taking up a big chunk of your time you might consider using traditional vows. Remember, there are other occasions where special words are appropriate—your wedding toast (if you have one), for example.
4. What kind of ceremony do you want to have? Some couples love lengthy, elaborate and formal vows while other couples enjoy the idea of having a little touch of humor in their wedding ceremonies. The type of ceremony you have will also play a large part in deciding whether or not you should write your own vows at the wedding.
Remember, your wedding ceremony is about you and your future spouse. Do what you both feel is right!