Our beautiful bride Toye Halpin on her wedding day!How do you truly tell someone you love them, always have, and always will? Compound that with hundreds of eyes staring at you, the emotions you feel, and the stresses of speaking in front of hundreds of guests and you have one of the biggest fears of brides and grooms: the vows. Getting up to the altar in the dress with the flowers is a cake walk compared to declaring your intentions and love for your new partner, but in front of family and friends as well can make it even more stressful. Don’t know whether to recite traditional vows or write your own? Here’s a few things to consider before making your decision:
1. Are you good at putting your true thoughts down on paper?
Like many brides and grooms, it can be difficult to express everything someone is thinking and feeling about another person. Emotions can be difficult to put into words, but if both the bride and the groom want their vows to be personal than writing your vows may be a good option. If you go to write them and have a difficult time, maybe going with the traditional recitation of vows is a better route.
2. How emotional do you think you may get on your wedding day?
For brides and grooms that are good speakers and that can hold their emotions back till the end of reciting personalized vows than by all means, write them! However, it is easier to repeat vows given by the officiant, especially if emotions are running high.
3. Do you have time to practice saying your vows?
Some couples just don’t have the time to sit down and write vows let alone practice reciting them. If a couple opts to write personal vows, practicing them is key. It’s ok to have a cheat sheet the day of, but practicing can always help to perfect them. Many couples even practice repeating traditional vows!
4. Are you comfortable having someone proofread your vows if you write them?
It is key to have your vows read by someone other than yourself. This process will help proofread what you’ve written and also allow someone else help ensure that you are saying precisely what you mean. Reading vows aloud to another person can also help with this process.
5. Do you like traditional vows or do you think they do not convey enough of what you think or feel?
Traditional vows can be very basic. Many couples feel they do not express enough what they couple is truly feeling. Before undertaking the task of writing your own, consider taking a set of traditional vows and changing bits and pieces to make them more personal to you and your partner. If you like traditional vows, there are many variations you can choose from. Just make sure you stay true to what you want to convey to your new husband or wife and to your guests as well.
Vows are not easy, but they do not have to be impossible either. Keep in mind that these vows are sacred and that you will remember them forever. Whatever you decide, make sure you stick with what you know and feel. That way, you can’t go wrong!
Written by: Jill Morris- Asst. Manager and Sales Consultant
