Writing Your Wedding Vows: Not Being Cringey

Let’s address the fear most couples won’t say out loud

“I want personal vows… but I don’t want to cringe.”

You’re not alone.

Writing your own vows can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re not someone who loves public speaking or emotional moments.

The good news?

Great vows don’t need to be long, poetic, or dramatic to be meaningful.

What actually makes vows work

The vows that land best usually have three things in common:

1️⃣ They sound like the person saying them

2️⃣ They’re sincere, not performative

3️⃣ They focus on the relationship, not the audience

That’s it.

What to include (and what to skip)

You don’t need to:

• tell your entire love story

• impress your guests

• or compete with your partner’s vows

You can include:

• what you value about your relationship

• how you show up for each other

• what you’re committing to moving forward

Simple language always wins.

A helpful structure (keep it easy)

If you like a framework, try this:

• One sentence about what your partner means to you

• One sentence about your relationship

• A few genuine promises

• One grounding closing line

That’s enough.

Nervous about reading them out loud?

That’s completely normal.

A good celebrant:

✔ helps you practise

✔ offers reassurance

✔ manages pacing

✔ supports you in the moment

You don’t need to perform - you just need to be present.

Remember this

Your vows aren’t about being perfect.

They’re about being honest.

And honesty never sounds cringey.