Wedding Vows Examples to Help You Get Started

When it comes to wedding planning, some tasks are easier than others - things like booking your venue, picking out flowers, or choosing the menu for your wedding day should all be pretty straightforward. But some things require a bit more emotional input, and top of this list has to be writing your wedding vows! Suddenly, you’re staring at a blank page, wondering how on earth to condense your love story, the essence of what your partner means to you, and the promises you want to make to them into a few heartfelt lines.

Here’s the good news: when it comes to writing your vows, there are no hard and fast rules. Some couples like to stick to the traditional wedding vows, others write vows full of inside jokes and personal touches, while some prefer short vows that get straight to the point. Whether you choose to wax poetic like a modern-day Shakespeare or keep things short and sweet, the aim is the same: to stand in front of your future spouse and share meaningful vows that set the tone for the rest of your life together.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or are suffering from writer’s block, here are some wedding vow examples and ideas to help you get started.

Traditional but Timeless

We love nothing more than to buck tradition, but it’s got to be said that there’s a reason traditional wedding vows have stood the test of time. Whilst you might not love the idea of pledging to “love, honour and obey” your partner, taking the essence of phrases like “to have and to hold”, or “‘til death do us part” and putting them into your own words in your vows can be a nice nod to tradition.

If you’re not sure what to say, starting with your version of the classics and then sprinkling in some personal touches is a great idea. For example:

“From this day forward, I vow to always stand by your side, to have your back and to hold your hand, offering unwavering support in tough times, and relishing the good times together, until we’re old and grey.”

Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

For many couples, the most meaningful vows are the ones they write themselves. Although the idea of expressing your emotions in front of all your friends and family might sound daunting, we promise you it’s worth it! Writing your own vows gives you a chance to bring your personality, your sense of humour and your true feelings into the vow exchange.

Not sure how to start? Think about your first date, the moment you realised they were The One, or how life felt when you started seeing each other. Think of any tricky times they’ve supported you through, the ways in which they make you feel better, and the little things they do for you to make you feel loved. What do you love about them? Their perfect smile? The way they always restack the dishwasher? The fact that they always bring you a cup of tea in bed in the morning? These are the little details that make your personalised wedding vows special.

An example might be:

"You are more than my partner. You are my best friend, my biggest supporter, and an amazing person all round. I promise to always laugh at your terrible jokes, hold your hand through everything life takes us through, and to always be your biggest fan.”

Heartfelt and Romantic

If you’re a diehard romantic who has been waiting for the opportunity to share the sheer magnitude of your love, then don’t be afraid to let it all out! Experiment with setting a five-minute timer and writing about your partner and your relationship without worrying about how it sounds, and then go back to sift through what you’ve written for any golden nuggets. If there’s one time in your life when gushing romantically is fully accepted, it’s your wedding!

“Meeting you has made me a better person, loving you is a gift, and marrying you makes me feel like the luckiest person alive. From this day forward, I’ll be your life partner, your best friend, and your number one fan. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you”

Modern and Playful

Modern vows often feel much less formal and a bit more on the conversational side, and are the perfect antidote to traditional wedding vows. They’re also a great chance to show your true self - whether that means cracking a few jokes, referencing your favourite film, or letting your guests in on the quirks that make your relationship unique.

For example:

“I vow to always share the TV remote, even if it’s only you who wants to binge-watch The Summer I Turned Pretty. I vow to always share my pizza, to walk the dog when it rains, and to never go to sleep on an argument. But most of all, I promise to love you fiercely, faithfully and forever.”

Short and Simple Wedding Vows

Perhaps you’re not a natural wordsmith, and if writing doesn’t come easily to you, don’t panic! The best wedding vows don’t need to be long to be powerful. In fact, some of the most meaningful ones are short vows that cut straight to the heart:

“I vow to always be your best friend, your partner and your biggest advocate. From this moment until my last breath, I promise to walk side-by-side with you through whatever the future holds.”

So you see, you don’t need to stress about the word count. Sometimes, keeping things short and sweet gives your words extra impact - plus it helps if you’re full of nerves on the big day!

Practical Tips for Writing Meaningful Vows

Find the right moment to write. Whatever you do, please don’t leave it until the night before your wedding! Give yourself plenty of time to hone your vows. Think about your future spouse. What do you want to promise them as you turn the page on the next chapter together? Include personal touches. Mentioning your first date or a family member who inspired you makes your own vows feel much more intimate. Keep a balance. A few fun lines are great, but end with a heartfelt promise - something that future-you would be proud of! Check in with your partner. Make sure you’re both vaguely on the same page; if yours are wordy and romantic, and theirs are short and sweet, it could be a bit jarring. Practice reading aloud. It’s easier to find the perfect tone when you can hear how your words flow, even better if you can share them with a trusted friend!

Your wedding vows are so much more than just words - they’re promises that carry you through hard times, celebrations, and everything in between. Whether you choose to stick with tradition, write your own personal wedding vows, or go for something completely unexpected, what matters is that your words feel authentic to you and your partner.

At the end of the day, the best vows aren’t about demonstrating your lyrical prowess or getting things absolutely perfect; they’re about gathering your loved ones in the same place at the same time, looking your partner in the eye and saying with absolute certainty that you promise to love them forever.