WEDDING VOWS

·         Decide with your partner what emotions you want to convey with your vows.

·         Jot down as many key words and phrases as possible.

·         Look for inspiration from traditional vows that you can use or tweak to fit.

·         Note down quotes from films, songs, poetry, books and television that inspire you or make your heart miss a beat.

·         Decide whether you are to write one set of vows and repeat them or write separate vows to your partner, but remember to rehearse them through – ‘surprise’ vows are wonderfully romantic but may have you crying your eyes out if you are hearing them for the first time!

·         Don’t make them too long or dull – you don’t want the guests falling asleep!

·         Say them slow, loud and clear or have them written in the Order of Service so your guests can follow them – or better still, do both.

·         Don’t say anything that will embarrass yourself, each other, or anyone present.

·         Practice, practice, practice. If you are planning to memorise them this is crucial, but even if you are to read from card, it will still help to know what’s coming next.

·         Avoid vows that will have you in tears or that include difficult words to pronounce.

·         If you are really nervous, ask the Registrar to read the vows as questions with you answering ‘I do’ or ‘I will’, or alternatively if one of you is more confident than the other, opt for overlapping vows. For example, the first partner would say ‘I, take you <Name>’ then the other would repeat ‘I, take you <Name>’ and so on and so forth.

·         Take a spare copy of the vows with you to the Service just in case the Registrar forgets them.

·         Involve others, particularly parents or children, by getting them to answer questions raised by the Registrar (sensible questions about supporting you and welcoming you into their family - 'Do you, as friends and family of Sam and Pat, promise to support them in their married lives together?', for example).

·         Humorous vows are all well and good, but try to avoid performing a comedy sketch – if you plan to use humour it is best used sparingly and interspersed with more serious, romantic vows.

·         If English is not your or your parents’ birth tongue, you may wish to say part of the vows in an alternative language.

With all these ideas buzzing around in your head, it is now time to put pen to paper and get writing. To help you along your way, on the next few pages we highlight below some of our favourite romantic, humerous and celebrity vows that we have come across on our travels.