First of all, why not write your own vows?
Pessimists say that we often want to find a custom fit in an off-the-rack world. But when it comes to your wedding, shouldn't your vows be as unique as your love? Let's face it, every part of the modern wedding is a personal decision, and one size does not fit all. Every wedding is different, so why shouldn't the vows be as well?
There are many reasons why the traditional service might not fit your needs, but you don't need an excuse. Creating your own wedding vows has become part of the mainstream. In some circles it is almost expected. In the last fifty years, more and more couples have opted for “unique” weddings that include wholly created or modified traditional vows. Whichever approach you prefer, this book has got you covered.
If you just want to tweak the traditional vows, they're right here. If you want to look at traditional vows from other cultures for inspiration, they're here too. If the prospect of writing your vows makes you sweat, don't worry. We've got you covered. Writing your own wedding vows is easy — if you know how.
There are a lot of myths about how hard it is to write. Sportswriter Red Smith famously said, “Writing is easy. I just sit down at the typewriter, cut open a vein, and bleed.” Such imagery can strike terror in the calmest of minds. With a wedding date breathing down your neck, writing vows looks like a bullet you'd be smart to dodge. But there's a secret you don't know.
Writing your vows will be fun. Wedding planning requires a great deal of time, energy, and stress. Can you really add writing your own vows to this ever-expanding list of to-dos without exploding? Yes, you can. Writing your vows is kitten-play and this book will show you how to enjoy the process.
Writing your vows isn't a homework assignment. Think of it as a mental vacation from the everyday. Most people don't get a chance to have a creative outlet. They write emails, memos, and lists (lots of lists), but the last time they wrote anything vaguely creative was back in high school. Here's your chance to journey to new imaginative landscapes that you've long forgotten. Adding to the beauty of all this, your vows will be short — a minute or two tops. (Any longer and it will sound like an infomercial: “Let me tell you all the features you get with our love. Now how much would you pay?”)
And here's the best part. Forget about every D you ever got for your deathless prose in school. This writing won't count toward your final grade as a spouse. Your vows are a statement of your love for each other and the life you plan to create together. There are no absolutes. We're grading on a curve and you are the ultimate authority of your vows. You are the one who will judge when it hits the mark. And if you follow the steps outlined here, you'll score a quick bull's-eye.
So you've got a prospect for a pleasurable activity that will bring the two of you closer together with absolutely no risk and the potential for a great reward. Once again, why not write your vows?
Let's start having some fun!