Writing Your Own Vows

Are you thinking about writing your own vows to one another? If so, here are a few things that you should consider first:

1. If you're getting married in a church, do they allow it? If not, you can still write them to one another and read them to each other after the ceremony, or exchange them in the morning.
2. Will you be able to get through them while still being understood. If you know you're going to cry, sometimes it's easier (and doesn't leave your face all red and splotchy) if you repeat after the officiant.
3. Make sure you practice. Your hands may be shaky, you might have a glimmer of a tear, and you might get a bit choked up. Practicing will definetly help.
4. Have a backup plan. If you thought you could get through them, but during the ceremony you feel too choked up, or you are getting a bit too nervous, have a sign with the officiant to show them you'd like to go with his version of the vows.

If you're going to write them, start early. One bride came up with a great way of writing her vows, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house! She got a small notepad and wrote down every time her fiance made her feel special, and how exactly she felt. After about 6 months of notes, she was able to skim through and pick the perfect words for how he made her feel. She then gifted the notebook to him.

I thought that with this romantic holiday ahead, some brides might be able to begin a notebook.