I’m Kayla. I wrote my own wedding vows last fall. The leaves were red. My hands shook. My aunt cried. I did too. This is my honest take, with real vows you can use. For a broader look at what people call the “best” vows, I pored over this first-person review of standout wedding vows before I even opened my notebook. I also leaned on this [guide to writing your own wedding vows](https://www.brides.com/story/guide-to-writing-your-own wedding-vows), which broke the steps into feel-good chunks, before diving in.
Was I scared? Yes. Was it worth it? Oh yeah.
What I Tried First (and What Stuck)
I tested three paths:
- Templates and prompts. I pulled lines from The Knot and an old Canva doc. I liked the bones, but it felt stiff at first.
- Free-writing sprints. Ten minutes, no edits. Weird, but gold came out. Most of my final vows came from this pile.
- A tiny “vow chat” with my partner. We set a word count and a tone. Warm. 1 to 2 minutes max. No roast jokes. We kept one secret line each.
If you want to see someone push the process even further, check out how another writer tackled vows eight different ways. Her breakdown pairs well with this candid post on what worked and what flopped while writing vows.
I kept my vows on 4×6 cards in a small Moleskine vow book. Black gel pen. Big letters. I also saved them in Google Docs, in case I lost the book. (I almost did. Coffee.)
How It Felt Up There
The mic was close to my chin. My mouth felt dry. I could hear my own voice. It shook. I took one slow breath. I looked at my person. Everything got quiet. That hush reminded me of these ultra-emotional vows that made other couples sob.
People laughed in the right spots. The kids stared. A breeze flipped one card, but I had a clip. Time slowed down. Time sped up. Funny how that works, right?
The Ups and Downs
What I loved:
- It felt like us. Not a script.
- Our guests leaned in. You could feel it.
- It made the rest of the night glow.
What was hard:
- Pressure. Picking each word made my head hum.
- TMI risk. I cut one joke about laundry. Good call.
- Time. It took a few nights and two rainy lunch breaks.
If you’re juggling formats, this writer's take on writing vows three separate ways is a lifesaver.
My rating: Meaning 9/10. Stress 4/10. Regrets 0/10.
Real Vow Examples You Can Use
Use these as-is or tweak them. Keep it simple. Keep it true. For a deeper well of ideas and guidance, browse the thoughtful collections at VTVows.
1) Short and Classic
Today, I choose you, Jordan.
I promise to stand near you in hard times, and cheer loud in good times.
I will listen first.
I will speak with care.
I will be your safe place and your brave push.
I will make space for your dreams, and share mine.
I will love you on boring Tuesdays and wild Fridays.
When we fall short, I’ll try again.
I am yours. You are mine. We are home.
2) Sweet with a Wink
Sam, you are my kind of weird.
I promise to share fries, even the crispy ones.
I’ll kill spiders. You get the group texts.
I will hold your hand in storms and at Target.
I’ll keep us laughing when the sink is full.
I choose you today, tomorrow, and when the Wi-Fi is down.
I love you. For real. For always.
3) Poetic and Secular
I found you, and life got warm.
Your voice is my steady drum.
I promise gentle words, brave truth, and clear eyes.
I will learn you, again and again.
I will carry joy like a small light, even when it’s dark.
I choose this simple thing: us.
4) Light Faith
By God’s grace, I choose you, Maya.
I promise patience, kindness, and steady care.
I will pray with you and for you.
I will lift you when you’re low and praise with you when hope sings.
With God’s help, I will love you well, all my days.
Want to lean even more on scripture? Try these biblical vow examples and honest notes. Or, if you’re holding a Mass, this post on using the traditional Catholic marriage vows spells out what fits. Protestant couples will appreciate this look at Christian vow wording with modern twists.
5) Very Short (Shy Speaker)
I choose you, Avery.
I promise to be kind.
I promise to be true.
I will listen.
I will laugh.
I’ll love you, day by day, my whole life.
6) Blended Family (To a Child)
Hi, Mia.
Today I don’t just marry your dad. I promise you too.
I promise school pick-ups, silly songs, and real talks.
I will show up, even when it’s hard.
I’m not here to replace anyone. I’m here to love you.
We are a team now.
7) Wife to Wife
Alex, you are my home base and my wind.
I promise to fight fair, to hold close, and to cheer loud.
I will make room for your wild and your quiet.
I choose you, as my wife, my friend, my love, every day.
Brides might also vibe with this honest dive into writing wedding vows “for her”.
8) Husband to Husband
Chris, you are my safe place and my spark.
I promise to listen, to laugh, and to grow with you.
I choose you as my husband, today and every day that follows.
Grooms looking for a focused walkthrough can peek at this hands-on guide to crafting groom-specific vows.
9) Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Te elijo hoy y cada día.
I choose you when the sun is out and when it rains.
Prometo escucharte con paciencia.
I promise to carry our joy with care.
Somos casa. We are home.
10) Call and Answer (Quick and Cute)
Officiant: Do you promise to show up with love?
Me: I do.
Officiant: To laugh in the kitchen and the hard parts too?
Me: I do.
Officiant: To choose each other, again and again?
Me: I do.
Together: We do.
11) Ring Vows (One Line Each)
With this ring, I give you my hand, my heart, and my days.
With this ring, I choose you, and I keep choosing you.
12) Funny, But Still Warm
Taylor, you’re my favorite push notification.
I promise to be on your team, even when the game is weird.
I will share the blanket, the playlist, and the last dumpling.
I’ll charge the batteries and your spirit.
I choose you, always.
I got half the punch lines for that draft from this hilarious trial of funny wedding vows that still land with heart.
13) Second Marriage, Soft and Clear
We know how life can bend.
I bring all I’ve learned, and a wide open heart.
I promise soft words, safe truth, and a kind home.
This time, we will build slow and strong.
I choose you.
What Helped Me Write
Here’s the thing. A few tiny moves made a big shift. If you’d like another perspective, Vogue’s take on how to write wedding vows adds a chic, step-by-step spin that’s