How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows (Without Sounding Like Shakespeare)

Hi, I’m Joni, an Iowa wedding videographer based around Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Des Moines. My husband Travis and I spend weekends chasing dance floors, filming happy tears, and making sure your vows don’t live forever as “cringe” on the internet. (Seriously, we’re here for you.)

If you’re staring at a blank Google Doc wondering if you should go full Shakespeare (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) or copy something from Tiktok, don’t. Unless you actually talk like a 17th-century poet, your vows should sound like you. Easy, simple, funny, maybe even a little weird.

Keep It Short

Two to three minutes is the sweet spot. Long enough to say something meaningful, short enough that your guests don’t wonder when cake is being served.

Use a Simple Format

Agree with your partner so one of you doesn’t write a novella while the other scribbles on a napkin. A good flow looks like this:

• Intro: Set the tone (“Well, here we are…”).
• Statements: What you love about them (“You’re my favorite road trip buddy, even if you miss every exit.”).
• Promises: Things you’ll commit to (“I promise to always share my fries… sometimes.”).
• Conclusion: Wrap it up with something kiss-worthy.

Choose Your Tone

• Funny: A light roast, inside jokes, sarcasm.
• Sweet: Go mushy, but don’t overdo it with “ethereal moonbeam of my soul.”
• Mix: Our personal favorite is to get them laughing and crying in the same 60 seconds.

Bring in the Quirks

Ask yourself:

• How did you meet, and what were your first impressions?
• When did you know they were “the one”?
• What drives you nuts but you’ll promise to live with forever?
• What do you value most about their character?
• What’s your favorite part of your relationship?
• What do you imagine life being like in 20 years?
• What inside jokes or funny moments make your story uniquely yours?

These little quirks are what make your vows feel real.

Don’t Stress Yourself Out
Remember, your vows don’t have to be perfect. Write them, tweak them, and then read them to someone you trust (a sibling, a best friend, or your dog). Practicing out loud will help with nerves and pacing.

Be True to Your Voice

If you never say words like “beloved,” don’t start now. The best vows we’ve filmed over the years are the ones that sound like the couple, not like ChatGPT wrote it. Which brings me to…

Speaking of ChatGPT…

Okay, yes, you can use AI to help write your vows. But here’s the trick: don’t just copy-paste. Use it like a brainstorming buddy.

Prompts you can try:

• “Write wedding vows that are funny, romantic, and mention tacos.”
• “Help me promise things in a way that sounds like I actually wrote them.”
• “Write vows for a couple who met on Bumble and travel a lot.”
• “Write romantic vows in the style of The Office’s Jim Halpert.”

Take what it spits out, then tweak it until it actually sounds like you. Add your own inside jokes, stories, and quirks. That’s how you keep it authentic.

Sample Vows to Steal (and Make Your Own)

Funny:

• “I promise to love you forever… even when you eat the last fry after saying you didn’t want any.”
• “I vow to always pretend to listen when you explain plot holes in Marvel movies.”
• “I promise to keep killing spiders… but only the small ones. The big ones are still your job.”

Sweet (but not stuffy):

• “I knew you were the one when being around you felt like home, no matter where we were.”
• “You make ordinary days feel like adventures, and I can’t wait for a lifetime of them.”
• “I vow to keep showing up for you—in the big ways, and in all the little ones.”

Roast + Romance (the perfect mix):

• “I promise to love you endlessly… even though you snore like a chainsaw and forget to shut the cupboards.”
• “You drive me crazy in all the best ways, and I wouldn’t trade your quirks for anything (except maybe one night of uninterrupted sleep).”
• “I vow to love you fiercely, laugh with you daily, and only occasionally remind you that I was right.”

Final Thoughts

Wedding vows aren’t about impressing anyone, they’re about being real with the person you’re marrying. Keep it short, keep it you, and if you must quote Shakespeare, at least make it funny: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Nah, you’re hotter and less humid.”

And hey, if you’re looking for a wedding videographer in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, or Des Moines, heck, ANYWHERE, we’d love to capture those vows (and your best/worst dance moves) on film.