Opening
- A simple, direct address — “Jess, today I promise…” or “I stand here today…”
- Some people open with why they’re grateful to be standing there, or a brief nod to the moment itself
Reflecting on Your Love Story (optional, brief)
- A short line about how you fell for them, or what drew you in — vows are usually too short for a full story, so this is more of a single vivid image or feeling than a narrative
- Not every vow includes this — some skip straight to promises
What They Mean to You
- A few lines expressing who they are to you, and how they’ve changed your life
- This is often the most personal, specific part — concrete details (“the way you laugh at your own jokes before you finish them”) land better than generic praise
The Promises
- The heart of the vows — a series of specific commitments, often 3-6 promises
- Common formula: “I promise to…” repeated for each one
- Mix the practical/everyday (“I promise to make you coffee every morning”) with the profound (“I promise to choose you, again and again”)
- Some couples include vows for hard times specifically
Closing
- A final line that ties it together — often returning to the love/commitment theme
- Many end with “I love you” or a direct statement of forever/partnership
Practical notes:
- Keep it to 1-2 minutes (roughly 200-300 words) — much shorter than a speech
- If you and your partner are writing separately, it’s worth agreeing on tone/length in advance so one person’s vows don’t run 3x longer than the other’s
- Read them aloud beforehand — vows that look good on paper can be hard to say without tearing up or stumbling
- Some couples structure vows to include both humor and sincerity; others keep it fully serious — there’s no wrong way, it just depends on the couple
Do you need help writing your vows? Here is a starting point:
Jess — today, I take you as my wife.
I promise to have you and to hold you, starting now, and for every day we’re given after this one.
Through better days and worse ones, I’ll be beside you — steady, no matter what comes.
Whether we have plenty or very little, I promise the richness of our life will always come from us, not from what surrounds us.
In sickness and in health, I’ll take care of you, the same way you’ve always taken care of me.
I vow to love you and to cherish you — not just who you are today, but everyone you’ll grow into.
And until death parts us, and maybe not even then, I am yours.
Jess, I love you — today, tomorrow, always.
ANOTHER:
My dearest love, today I stand before you with all my heart and soul, ready to commit to you for the rest of my life. You are my rock, my support system, and my partner in every sense of the word. I promise to love you unconditionally, to cherish every moment we spend together, and to always be there for you through thick and thin.
As we embark on this journey together, I vow to be your confidant and your best friend, to support your dreams and aspirations, and to stand by your side through every challenge and triumph that life may bring. I promise to always listen to you with an open heart and mind, to respect your opinions and ideas, and to be honest and true to you always.
Above all else, I promise to love you with every fiber of my being, to be faithful to you for all eternity, and to make our relationship the top priority in my life. You are my soulmate, my partner, and my forever love, and I will always be grateful for the gift of your love in my life.
I have spent the last 20 year photographing weddings in stunning spots all over the Sunshine Coast QLD. These incredible places include the slice of paradise Noosa ( over a million visitors in 2022), Maleny Hinterland, sweet Montville, Iconic Mooloolaba, hidden Caloundra, and all the surrounding areas of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland here on the Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Photographer
