WeddingPath News 9th Feb 2007 516 views

While some couples are happier sticking to traditional wedding vows, writing your own can be very romantic – and good fun! If you think the idea could be for you, consider the following hints…

The first thing to do is to check with your officiant that personalised vows are appropriate. Some religions require traditional wording, or at least the inclusion of specific phrases.

The next step is to decide with your partner whether you will write your vows together, or separately. Do you want your h2b/b2b to hear your vows in advance, or keep it as a surprise?

Discuss with your partner what topics you want to include in your vows. Expressions of love, friendship, understanding and trust are common themes. Embarrassing or intimate details are not appropriate.These are more the domain of the best man's speech.

Often the first few words are the hardest to find so it helps to start with a statement about you and your partner. "When we first met...", or "I realised I had fallen in love...". Research and read other people's vows to get ideas of the sort of things you might like to say.

Next, think about the things you love and admire about your partner. Think about the memories you have shared together, and the memories you hope to share in the future.

Usually vows are around two to three minutes long and it is a good idea to read them to a close friend or family member to get their feedback. Reading aloud will help you spot awkward phrases and mistakes and the familiarity helps quell nerves on the big day. It may also be appropriate to go over your vows with your officiant.

Whatever you do, don't leave writing your vows until the last minute. Give yourself time to think, research and practise speaking your vows out loud.

Make sure you have more gifts on your gift list than guests. This will give people - especially late shoppers - plenty of choice and minimise the chance of you getting two of the same thing.

Do you have a Tip of the Week or something you would like me to discuss? Email me if so.

This week's newsletter is sponsored by Suzan St Maur, an experienced researcher and author of 15 published books. Susan has been married twice and continues her interest in weddings through Wedding Speeches For Women and the upcoming The A to Z of Wedding Worries. Currently she is researching a third weddings book due in 2008.

Have a fab week.

Love and apples!!!

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