How to Write Wedding Vows That Don’t Suck
The quick, no-cringe guide to writing wedding vows that actually sound like you.
You've got to write your wedding vows.
You know they're supposed to be meaningful.
And honestly? You probably don't want to sound like you've copied a bunch of romantic quotes from Pinterest anyway.
You want your vows to sound like you.
Funny if you're funny.
A little bit soppy if that's your thing.
Completely unsoppy if it isn't.
This guide will help you work out what you actually want to say and then turn those thoughts into wedding vows you'll be happy to stand up and read to your person.
So, what exactly is this?
It's a practical, no-bullshit guide to writing your own wedding vows.
- Not a collection of vows to copy.
- Not 47 pages of inspirational quotes about soulmates.
- Not a formula designed to make every couple sound exactly the same.
Instead, I'll give you a simple structure, questions to get you thinking, examples to show you what I mean and a few practical tips about things like length, tone and actually getting through your vows on the day.
The goal is to help you write something personal, genuine and recognisably yours.
What you'll work through
What was it about this person that made you see them differently?
What have they taught you?
How has your life changed since they came into it?
This is where you start finding the stories and moments that make your relationship yours.
The weird little things, the everyday things and the things you admire about them that they probably don't even realise you notice? Those are often the bits that make vows feel personal rather than generic.
How long should my vows be?
Long enough to say something meaningful and short enough that your guests aren't wondering whether there's an intermission. As a general guide, I recommend around 250–300 words, but there's no magic number. Your ceremony, your personalities and how much you actually want to say all matter. The guide will help you work out what feels right for you.
What if I'm terrible at writing?
Good news: writing wedding vows isn't actually a writing competition.
You don't have to sit down and produce a beautifully polished piece of prose on your first attempt. The questions and prompts in this guide are designed to get your thoughts out first. You can make them sound pretty afterwards.
And if your first draft is a chaotic collection of stories, half-finished sentences and things you definitely don't want to say out loud at your wedding? Perfect. Because that's what editing is for.
What if I cry?
You might. Your fiancé might too.
Your celebrant might pretend they're not crying. But that's wedding ceremonies.
The guide also includes practical advice if you're nervous about saying your vows out loud, including alternatives for couples who'd rather share some of those thoughts and feelings privately.
Who wrote this thing?
I'm Camille Abbott, a progressive modern marriage celebrant, founder of Unbridely and host of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast. I've been marrying couples for more than 18 years and have performed 1,000+ wedding ceremonies. Which means I've heard a LOT of vows. I've heard the hilarious, incredibly heartfelt, unexpected and simple ones.
And after all those ceremonies, here's what I've noticed: The best vows aren't necessarily the most beautifully written. They're the ones where the person you're marrying hears something and thinks: Yep. That's so us.
That's what I'm trying to help you create.
This is for you if...
- You want to write your own vows but don't really know where to start.
- You want them to be meaningful without being cheesy.
- You want them to be funny without turning the whole thing into a roast.
- You want them to sound like the two of you rather than somebody else's idea of what they should sound like.
- Or you just want someone who's heard thousands of wedding vows to give you some bloody great advice so you can have a crack at writing your own.
A little proof
“A must have in anyone’s wedding tool box. Fun, personable & easy to follow with examples & suggestions for those who draw a blank when it comes to making words flow.” - Tessa
What you get
How to Write Wedding Vows That Don't Suck
A practical digital guide with prompts, examples and a straightforward process for writing your own wedding vows.
$27 AUD
Instant digital download.
One last thing
Your vows don't have to be perfect or make everyone cry.
They don't even have to sound particularly wedding-y.
They just need to sound like you.
Modern wedding vows can be whatever the hell you want them to be.