Collect moments, not adjectives
Instead of “you are kind and funny,” write one scene: the night you stayed up talking, the trip that went wrong, the small habit that makes you smile. Specificity is what makes vows feel personal.
Say what you promise
Vows are not only a toast; they are promises. Name two or three commitments you can keep — how you will show up on hard days, how you will celebrate the good ones, how you will keep choosing this partnership.
Keep length in check
Aim for about one to three minutes spoken aloud. Read your draft out loud at least twice; cut anything that sounds like a greeting card unless it is truly yours.
Close with the future
End by looking forward: what you are excited to build, learn, or explore together. A simple, sincere closing line often lands better than a long summary.
For examples in different tones, browse wedding vow examples and adapt the structure — never the private details — to your own story.