Looking for ways to personalize your wedding ceremony? Consider incorporating your own carefully chosen words into this momentous occasion, and build the foundation for a life-long relationship. Writing your own vows is definitely an ambitious undertaking. Not only must you determine the perfect words to say, but those words must be rehearsed and recited in front of your closest family and friends on a day that will be one of the most important of your life. Relax and take a deep breath. We know it's intimidating… but imagine penning your own wedding vows with promises from the heart. That incentive will make the task worthwhile. Before you put pen to paper, consider these factors: Get approval. Talk to your officiant to make sure personal vows are even allowed. Some religions object to non-secular expressions during the wedding ceremony. Even with the go-ahead, submit your personalized vows to your officiant for review before the big day; he or she may have specific objections or even helpful ideas. Establish an estimated length. Your audience will find it odd and even comical if one rambles for 5 minutes will the other says 10 words. Be succinct. Overly lengthy wedding vows may lose your audience and will only increase the potential for error. Review them in front of someone else. You can rehearse with each other, or if you'd rather keep them a surprise, read your vows to a trusted loved one. Have a cheat sheet. Even if you plan to memorize them, the nerves may kick in when the big moment arrives. To avoid a potentially awkward scene at the wedding ceremony —bring a cheat sheet just in case. What to Say? Suffering from a case of writer's block? To get you started—here are some useful ideas and resources to help you write the perfect wedding vows: Consult your past Time for a trip down memory lane. Start jotting down the details of special firsts in your relationship—first meeting, first date, first kiss, first "I love you," etc. What qualities made you fall in love in the first place? Are there special milestones in your relationship that that have helped bring you here today? Envision the Future What challenges and achievements to you foresee in the future, and how do you expect to meet those things together? Complete Me Sure, it's a line from a movie—but there's a reason for its now clichÈ status. What characteristics does he/she bring out in you? How does he/she make you a better person? Use the right words Compile your notes, memories and reflections, and begin turning words into sentences. Consult your thesaurus for the perfect expressions to reflect your thoughts. Some words to get you started: love, trust, support, strength, encourage, respect, cherish, admire, value, commit, pledge and promise. Home  Ι  About Us  Ι  Advertise with Us  Ι  Info for Event Professionals  Ι  Link to Us © Hawthorn Publications