Wedding vows are one of the most emotional moments we film as wedding cinematographers. During these precious moments, the couple declares their love for each other and their determination to make their marriage successful, both in good times and bad.
Having filmed thousands of weddings, we have heard all types of wedding vows: traditional, personalized, funny, romantic, short, and long ones. What do they all have in common? The moment when the couple affirms their commitment to each other in front of their loved ones.
Baring your soul in public can be daunting. Some couples feel safer saying traditional vows while others prefer to personalize their vows to better reflect their unique love story.
Saying your vows is highly emotional. So whatever you choose, know that we will be filming it and can include the vows in your final wedding film. When you watch your wedding film, you will have time to dive into what your vows meant and how you have devoted yourselves to each other.
What Are Traditional Wedding Vows?
We have all watched romantic movies where the couple reads their traditional wedding vows.
The most common traditional wedding vow format usually reads like this: “I take you as my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”
In these few lines, traditional vows have captured the essence of what getting married means: commitment, love, and devotion through good times and less favorable ones.
Why Traditional Wedding Vows?
Traditional wedding vows have been shared for hundreds of years by couples. They capture in a few words what coupledom means in the eyes of the couple and God.
Traditional wedding vows are simple, to the point, and classical. People who are unsure about sharing their emotions in public usually choose traditional wedding vows. They help them express their love and dedication in a succinct and elegant way. Guests understand what each partner is promising and partake in this declaration.
If you are uncomfortable publicizing your love, traditional wedding vows are a safe and graceful option. After all, our parents and grandparents used these wedding vows and it worked for them.
However, if you feel you would like something more personal and unique to your promises to each other, then personalized wedding vows could be more appropriate for you.
How Do I Write Personalized Wedding Vows?
What Does Your Partner Mean to You?
Before embarking on writing your personalized wedding vows, write down what your partner means to you. Remember small anecdotes: when you forgot your keys and had her drive all the way from work to open the door to when he was sick and you took care of him and made him your special chicken soup.
Love Is in the Details
Think about how you met and the small details in your everyday life that make you smile. Do you like how he makes coffee every morning? Do you appreciate how she walks the dogs every evening?
Sometimes it’s charming to remember annoying details: how she finishes the ice cream without asking you or how he forgets to pick up dinner. Remind yourself and your partner that you can overlook these weaknesses because they are part of who your partner is.
Why Are You Getting Married?
Remind yourself how you complement each other and why you are getting married. You have decided to get married to lead a common and shared life together. This is the foundation of your love and marriage.
Mention Challenging Times
Don’t be afraid to mention the difficult and challenging times. Although weddings are celebrations of love and happiness, no marriage is perfect. Making allusions to hard times, past and future, shows how determined you are to make your marriage work. Show that you have thought about what marriage truly means and that you expect turbulence along the way: you are prepared for them.
If You Have Children, Remember Them
If you already have children together or there are children from previous marriages, mention them. They are part of your common life and you should devote yourself to making them happy and fulfilled.
Don’t Push Yourself to Be Original
You can take traditional vows and slightly change their wording. You don’t have to write a poem trying to be original. You can tweak traditional vows in a way that is more presentative of you.
You can incorporate aspects of your couple in traditional vows by adding small touches, personal anecdotes, and meaningful words. That way you can have the best of both worlds: traditional vows that are unique and authentic to you.
What Tone Should I Use in My Personalized Wedding Vows?
You want your personalized wedding vows to represent you. Therefore, adopt a tone that makes sense to you. Whether it’s romantic, intimate, funny, humorous, sweet, touching, or heartfelt, you need to write from your heart.
Don’t try to impress your partner: your marriage should be based on honesty. Your partner already knows who you are, otherwise, you wouldn’t be getting married. Write down who you are, the way you are.
Tips for Writing Your Wedding Vows
Write Them in Advance
Don’t leave the task of your writing wedding vows to the day before the wedding. Take the time to write down what comes to your mind, small things that matter, and words you want to include. Think of poems, games, movies, and books that mean something to you. Use sentences and feelings that represent you as a couple.
Read Them Aloud
Whether traditional or personalized wedding vows, practice saying them aloud. Take your time and read them out loud. If you use personalized wedding vows, make sure the words sound right when you say them. Practice saying your vows so they come out naturally and flawlessly.
The Vows Are Not for Your Guests But for Your Partner
You have written your wedding vows for your partner. You are not trying to impress your guests nor to entertain them.
You are publicly stating how you plan on upholding your marriage and you are addressing your loved one.
However, don’t ignore your guests either. Try to avoid inside jokes that your guests will not understand. Respect their presence and write your vows in a meaningful and respectful way.
They Shouldn’t Last More Than a Minute
Don’t overdo it with your wedding vows. You want your vows to be succinct yet important. Your wedding vows shouldn’t last more than a minute. Although that may sound short, once you start reading them, you will realize this is plenty of time for you to declare your love.
Decide the Tone with Your Partner
Make sure you and your partner are on the same page: a heartfelt, romantic wedding vow followed by a humorous and witty one might clash. Sit down with your partner and agree on a general tone and feel to your vows.
If in doubt, ask a friend to read both vows to ensure they follow a similar style.
Reverent Wedding Films Will Be There to Film Your Wedding Vows
Whether traditional or personalized, romantic or funny, Reverent Wedding Films will record your wedding vows and incorporate them in a prominent place in your cinematic wedding film.
We have filmed over 1000 weddings. Our experienced cinematographers, film editors, software specialists, and music and light specialists know how to create a wedding film that captures the spirit of any wedding.
To give yourself a wedding film you’ll love forever, check our availability online or call now 832-536-1897. We film weddings in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, New Braunfels, and San Antonio, Texas, as well as destination weddings all over the world.
