Remember the famous Meat Loaf song, “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”?
For years, people have debated what “that” actually meant. But when it comes to wedding vows, I think I know exactly what it shouldn’t mean
Don’t promise things you have no chance of keeping!
Wedding vows aren’t about making grand declarations that sound impressive in the moment. They’re about making genuine promises you’ll still be happy to keep years down the track.
Skip the Cringe
You don’t need to sound like a movie script or a romance novel.
The best vows are honest, personal and unmistakably you.
Promise What’s Real
Instead of promising to love your partner every second of every day or never argue, make promises that reflect real life.
Things like:
- I promise to always be on your team.
- I promise to listen, even when we don’t agree.
- I promise to support your dreams.
- I promise to make you laugh when life gets tough.
- I promise to make you a cuppa when you’ve had one of those days.
Those are the promises that build a marriage.
Add a Little Humour
A funny line can make your vows unforgettable.
Maybe you’ll promise to let them control the TV remote occasionally, forgive their obsession with collecting tools, or pretend not to notice another online shopping delivery.
Just keep the jokes kind. If your partner is laughing too, you’re on the right track.
Keep It Personal
Forget trying to impress your guests.
Your vows are for one person, the one standing opposite you.
So, What Won’t You Do?
Maybe you won’t promise to always agree.
Maybe you won’t promise to never get grumpy.
Maybe you definitely won’t promise to put the toilet seat down every single time!
But you can promise to choose each other, every day, through the ordinary moments as well as the extraordinary ones.
And in the end, those are the vows that really matter.
If you’re struggling to find the right words, I’d love to help. As a celebrant working across Bendigo and Central Victoria, I can guide couples to write vows that are genuine, a little bit funny if that’s your style, and never cringey.
