You outsource things for your wedding like your makeup and floral design—would you ever outsource your vow writing to someone? Find out how we learned how to write the perfect wedding vows from a complete stranger!
We sat down to talk with Katelyn Stanis, a wedding vow and speech writing expert. She gave us the down low on all things custom vow writing.
Katelyn started her vow writing business, Wedding Words, in 2017 and has been penning couples vows from all over the world ever since. She also works with the maid of honor to write a speech that the bride will absolutely adore.
Here are her five tips to write the perfect wedding vows, personalized and all. Be sure to check out our recent episode with her to listen to all her juicy advice.
Have a brainstorm by spending 20 minutes jotting down any memory or emotion that comes to mind. Then circle the concepts that you want to expand on for your vows.
You can also interview yourself by asking questions and recording your answers. Transcribe the audio and use this as the basis for your wedding vows.
Once you’ve compiled some vow writing ideas and notes, start to identify themes.
What themes stand out in your notes? Do you talk a lot about your partner’s sense of humor or their thoughtfulness? Use these themes to anchor your vows and to move the vows forward from one story to the next.
Now that you have an idea of what you want to include in your vows, you can write the first draft. Be sure to start by addressing your fiancé.
Then communicate details about what you love about your partner and your relationship.
Next, detail out specific promises you want to make. Lastly, close with a love-filled sentence.
It’s time to edit your first draft. Start by removing any unnecessary words. If you can read a sentence and it has the same meaning with some of the words removed, go ahead and remove those words. You don’t want to include anything that doesn’t add meaning and impact to your vows.
Be sure to align with your fiancé on the sentiment and tone of your vows too. The last thing you want is for your vows to be full of sweet and sentimental thoughts and for your partner to focus on just having funny wedding vows.
The final step is to practice reciting your wedding vows out loud. Video record yourself so you can watch yourself and make improvements or recite your vows in front of your maid of honor.
Be sure to also print your vows or use a vow booklet. Whatever you do—don’t read your vows from your phone!
Follow these five vow writing steps and you’ll be on your way to creating personalized and perfect wedding vows.
Written By: Katelyn Stanis
IG: @weddingwords.us
Luxury wedding planning, event planning and design company…. making dreams come true.
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