Private and Personalized Wedding Vows? We're Here For It!
Traditional vows or personalized vows? Who says you can’t have both on your wedding day!
While writing original vows is simply an option, not a must-do, it’s a great way to personalize your big day. You’ve all heard a variation of “till death do us part” and “as long as we both shall live” at almost every wedding you’ve attended. Writing original wedding vows gives you a chance to make your specific promises to your partner and solidify what it is that your marriage means to you. But, giving a heartfelt speech at the altar can be a bit nerve-wracking when all eyes are on you. Instead, you can choose to exchange your personalized wedding vows privately before the ceremony while reciting more traditional vows at the altar. If you’re undecided about what kind of wedding vows you want to say at your ceremony, we’ve listed a few ways that exchanging personalized vows privately can add a personal touch to your big day!
Use the Moment as a Photo Op
The first look is already charged with so much emotion and excitement, exchanging personalized wedding vows at this time can only add to the experience. It’s the first moment you and your partner will see each other before saying “I Do.” Setting aside time to have a moment alone before the ceremony will give you much-needed personal time before you’re in front of dozens of guests. Plus, who doesn’t love a good photo op! This moment is sure to give you some of the most candid, emotional shots of your entire wedding. A moment that you can capture and keep forever. If you’ve decided not to do the first look, consider penning your original wedding vows in a letter that you exchange with your partner to read while you’re getting ready for the ceremony. You can frame those letters later to keep them as a personal memento of your wedding day!
Photography by Ria Mackenzie Photography
Photography by Emily Boudreau
Makes It More Intimate
Get your waterproof mascara ready, because this exchange is in the tears zone! Wedding days, as meaningful as they are, can be quite quick-paced, moving from venue to venue and trying to get wedding portraits done in between. Giving you and your partner the time to exchange your personalized wedding vows privately will create an intimate experience that you might not otherwise get on your wedding day. It’s also a private moment where you and your partner can get out everything you want to say, no one else will be hearing those words but the two of you, and something about that is so special. It’s like a little secret that you hold, so when you’re standing at the altar saying “I Do” only you’ll know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
Gives You Practice Before the Ceremony
Practice makes perfect and that applies to many things in life, including your wedding vows! Whether you’re a shy person or simply have reservations about spilling your personal feelings about your partner in front of all your friends and family, giving yourself a moment to say your vows to your partner privately can take away some of those nerves. Knowing that you will be exchanging private wedding vows with your partner also gives you the peace of mind that your vows don’t have to be perfect; they just have to be from your heart. Give yourself ample time to write meaningful vows, practice them on your own, and then privately with your partner before the ceremony. This will make your exchange at the altar seem less intimidating and just a more elaborate version of traditional vows.
Photography by Hailie Olszowy
Photography by In Our Image Photos
No Need to Censor Yourself
Vows are the main event of a ceremony, but at the end of the day, your wedding vows are for you and your partner. You may feel the need to censor yourself because you’ll be in front of a lot of guests, or simply because you don’t want to share too much of your relationship. Even with only close family and friends on your guest list, it’s understandable that there are just some things you want to keep for you and your partner. Exchanging private wedding vows gives you the ability to write down what you feel without any reservations. This is also a great way to work personalized vows into your wedding day if you’re having a Catholic or another religion-based ceremony. Some venues won’t allow you to exchange personalized vows, so exchanging them privately will give you a chance to still write original wedding vows, but keep traditional ones for your larger ceremony.
Share this with a bride who is considering writing original wedding vows. Still in the process of planning your wedding? Browse our collection of made-to-measure wedding dresses that are all priced at $1,200 or less and can be on your doorstep in just 8 weeks!
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