Writing
Your Vows
By Sally Manglicmot
Writing your
wedding vows is one way to express your individuality. Is the Groom
ready (and willing) to write his vows? Are you really up for the
challenge? The Officiant will be prepared with the vows required by
law and/or faith.
Here are
some guidelines to help you.
1) Decide if you
want your vows to be secret from your sweetie until read out loud at
the ceremony. If yes, then both of you should ask a close friend to
critique it. Give a copy to your Officiant so he/she can review it
and accept it.
2) Decide if you
want to recite your vows during the ceremony, or privately after the
ceremony.
3) Decide on how
long the vows should be - two minutes is acceptable—don’t bore your
guests. Rehearse the vows, but don't memorize them (it’s okay to
bring cards to read from).
4) Stay away from
any anecdote or inside joke that has the slight possibility of
embarrassing the other or alienating your guests.
5) There are many
resources for you to read other couple's personal vows-but why spoil
your creativity?
6) Stay away from
any "specifics" though such as, "I look forward to a household of
five children", when clearly you haven't talked about the number of
children you plan on having.
Mostly, have fun.
If you find it too stressful, then you can always fall back on the
traditional vows.
