How to Write Your Wedding Vows (Even If You Have No Idea Where to Start)
- Brook Isobel Celebrant
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
By Brook Isobel – Wedding Celebrant servicing Sydney, Sutherland Shire & Illawarra
One of the most common messages I get from couples is:“Brook… I need help writing my vows!”
If you're sitting at your laptop, staring at a blank screen, stressing out over the right words to say in front of your partner and your guests — you’re not alone.
But the good news? Vows don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be real. Let’s break down exactly how to write your wedding vows — and make them something you’ll actually love saying.
I need help writing my wedding vows — where do I start?
Start by asking yourself these 3 questions:
What do I love most about my partner?
What makes our relationship special or unique?
What do I want to promise them for the future?
Your vows are a message from the heart. You don’t need to Google “romantic quotes” or copy a movie scene. You just need to say what you feel.
💬 What makes great wedding vows?
A great vow usually includes:
Personal touches: memories, quirks, inside jokes
Emotion: you can be funny, heartfelt, or both!
Promises: what are you committing to in your marriage?
And the golden rule: keep them similar in length. I always check my couples’ vows ahead of time to make sure no one is writing a novel while the other has 2 lines.
📝 Real vow inspiration from my couples
Need a confidence boost? Here are real vow snippets I’ve loved from my couples (shared with permission):
“You are the light to my life and the rainbow to my world. "I vow to keep updating our vows, because one set can’t possibly cover a lifetime of loving you."
"When Ariel doesn’t sing and Pooh Bear hates honey — that’s when I’ll stop loving you.”
Whether you’re poetic or practical, silly or sentimental — your vows should reflect you.
What if I don’t want to speak in front of everyone?
Absolutely. Some people don’t want to speak in front of a crowd — and that’s okay. You can:
Read your vows privately before the ceremony
Write a letter for your partner to open on the morning of
Skip personal vows entirely and just do the legal vow
Whatever makes you feel most comfortable, we’ll honour that in your ceremony.
Brook’s vow-writing tips:
Don’t leave it to the night before – give yourself space to reflect
Write like you speak – read your vows out loud to check the flow
Keep a backup – I’ll print your vows on a vow card (no crumpled notes or phone screens!)
Make it yours – no right or wrong way to say “I love you”
Still not sure how to write your wedding vows?
Let me help! I’m Brook Isobel — a warm, modern celebrant who helps couples across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Sutherland Shire write vows that feel real, natural and uniquely you. If you need help writing your vows, I’m your secret weapon and your biggest cheerleader.
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