It might go a little something like this… “I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

I absolutely love wedding ceremonies, and I’m so privileged to witness so many in my profession. I especially love the part where the bride and groom say their vows.

But something I hear all too often when it comes to the vows during a wedding ceremony, is the celebrant or pastor will say your vows (loudly) over the microphone, for you to repeat. It always seems a little strange…your vows coming from someone else’s mouth first! Sometimes I see couples looking at the celebrant when they say their vows, and not actually to the person they are saying them to!

I think there are three ways to get around this potential awkwardness, I have witnessed the following work really well.

1) You could write your own vows, and memorise them.
This is so sweet, and I’m privileged to have witnessed this a few times. But I also think it’s a rather hard thing to do, especially when you are in a state of nervous excitement up the front of your family and friends.

2) Read your vows from a piece of paper/notebook.
Or you could get your celebrant to hold the paper for you, while you hold your husband/wife’s hands and look into their eyes.

3) Get your celebrant to firstly say your vows QUIETLY to you, then you repeat them into a microphone to your husband/wife.

This seems like such a little part of the day, but I think saying your vows are one of the most important parts of a wedding day! So it makes sense to think carefully about them, and the way they are said.

What do you think? Have you ever witnessed vows that have made you laugh or cry, or vows that were particularly creative or unique? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! xx