What Is a Wedding Vow and How Do You Write One?
- Brook Isobel Celebrant
- Feb 14, 2023
- 2 min read
By Brook Isobel – Marriage Celebrant servicing Sydney, Illawarra & Sutherland Shire
If you’re planning a wedding, one big question usually pops up early:“What is a wedding vow, and how do we write one?”
As your celebrant, I’m here to help break it down — and make the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming (and dare I say, even fun!).
What is a wedding vow and how do you write one?
A wedding vow is a declaration of your love, a reflection of your relationship, and a personal promise for the future. In Australia, there are two types of vows you'll often hear at weddings:
Legal vows – a set wording required under the Marriage Act (don’t worry, I’ll guide you through these).
Personal vows – the heartfelt, funny or tear-jerking words you write yourself, to share your love in your own voice.
💬 What do personal wedding vows include?
Most personal vows are made up of two parts:
Why I love you – what makes your partner special? What moments define your love story?
What I promise you – what do you want to promise in your marriage? This can be light-hearted or deeply emotional — or both!
Here’s the truth: there’s no right way to write your vows. The best vows feel like you — whether that’s short and sweet, poetic, funny, or sentimental.
📝 Writing your vows: tips to get started
If you’re feeling stuck, here are a few prompts I give my couples:
What do you admire most about your partner?
What moment did you realise you wanted to marry them?
How do they make you feel safe, seen or loved?
What do you hope your marriage looks like in 10, 20, or 50 years?
Still stuck? I can send you real vow examples from past couples (with permission!) to spark inspiration.
💛 Can I keep my vows private?
Yes! Some couples prefer to share their personal vows in a “first look” moment before the ceremony or exchange letters instead. You can keep your vows just between the two of you — I’ll help you make that moment feel extra special.
✨ Legal vows in Australia
Every ceremony must include the legal vow wording from the Marriage Act. It’s the classic line that starts with:
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [name], take thee, [name], to be my lawfully wedded…”
You’ll repeat this after me, and I’ll make sure it fits seamlessly into your ceremony. You don’t need to memorise anything!
Let’s create vows you’ll love saying
As your celebrant, I help couples across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Sutherland Shire write meaningful, personal wedding vows — with no pressure or awkward speeches. If you want a ceremony that sounds like you, I’m here to help.
Comments