Your big day is approaching, yet every time you sit down to write your vows, your mind goes blank? Take a breath! This happens far more often than you think. Coming up with meaningful wedding vows can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to—with the right approach, your words can be heartfelt and personal without sounding forced or performative. Here are three wedding-planner-approved tips to help you get there.
1. Don’t try to hard to be funny
We’ve all seen it: a well-intentioned attempt at humour during vows (or a reception speech) that lands in awkward silence. Comedy is risky territory, and your wedding vows are not the place to test your timing. A gentle, light-hearted moment can work beautifully, but resist the urge to play the comedian. Above all, skip inside jokes that only you and your partner understand: what feels intimate to you may leave guests confused rather than charmed.
2. Draw from your shared history
If you’re unsure where to begin, look back. A shared memory, a relationship milestone, the moment you realised this was your person: it’s all you need. These details ground your vows in reality, making them emotionally charged and unmistakably yours. It’s also the most natural way to bring everyone in the room along with you, often resulting in a collective tear or two.
3. Be honest and authentic
Vows that feel over-rehearsed or exaggerated can ruin the intimacy of the moment. Authenticity is always more powerful than theatrics: stick to what is true, like your real feelings, promises, and shared understanding. This isn’t a performance or a creative writing exercise, it’s a declaration of love. When your words are honest, they resonate with your partner and with everyone listening.
Wedding planning has a way of encouraging overthinking, and vows are no exception. But if you keep these simple principles in mind, you’ll write meaningful wedding vows that feel personal and deeply sincere and that reflect you and your other half perfectly.
