Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple
Take a cue from these brides and grooms, who traded the traditional for the unexpected by peppering your wedding vows with personal details and funny inside jokes.
-
Photography: Weddings by Sasha
By now, we all know the formula for standard wedding vows: "I, ___ take you, ___ to be my ___ … " and so on and so forth. There's nothing wrong with sticking to the script, but if you and your groom want to personalize your ceremony, writing unique or funny wedding vows is a great way to do it. Take it from these brides and grooms, who peppered their vows with personal details and inside jokes for promises that were unexpected and ultra-special.
Whether you use their sentiments as sample vow inspiration or as a template, make sure to tailor the words to suit your style as a couple, as well as the vibe of your wedding. While the law only requires that the intention to marry is acknowledged, keep in mind that religions and customs come with their own set of guidelines, with some types of ceremonies being less flexible than others. You may want to discuss the vows with your officiant ahead of time, or have him look them over to check for requirements. To make sure you and your fiancé's vows are complementary, ask a third party (like your maid of honor or mom) to read them before the ceremony to make sure they are similar enough.
Looking for examples of unique wedding vows? Then you've to the right place. Click through here to read what contemporary couples just like you promised on their own wedding days.
-
2 of 11
Unique Vows
Anthony and Rusty wrote modern vows to match their modern wedding. Rusty promised not to leave his gym clothes on the floor, while Anthony swore that no matter how late he'd been out the night before, he would get up, put a smile on his face, and, with Jesus in his heart, go to brunch with his buddies.
-
3 of 11
Funny Vows
Writing their unique wedding vows together a month prior to the big day, Sadie and Brandon added a touch of lighthearted humor, mentioning the important things in life, like love, patience, and—duh—coffee:
"I promise to grow with you and support you,
I promise to be patient, understanding, and kind,
I promise to listen and share,
I promise to create, to explore, and be curious,
In good times and in bad, I promise to love you,
I will make sure there is always coffee,
I promise to be my best for myself, for us, and for our future together."
-
Photography: Belathée Photography4 of 11
Modern Vows
For their nondenominational, nontraditional service, Edyta and Jared planned alternative vows full of symbolism: They asked invitees to write words of wisdom on their R.S.V.P. cards, which their officiant, who was a friend, compiled into a journal. During the ceremony, attendees formed a circle around the bride and groom, who read the sentiments aloud. "It was a great way to get our friends and family involved," says Edyta.
-
Photography: Corbin Gurkin5 of 11
Quirky Vows
We'd expect nothing less than super-cool vows from this California couple, who threw a chic picnic-party wedding. The groom's self-penned script included the funny phrase, "I love putting the toothpaste on your toothbrush, I'm yours for eternity."
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Jose Villa6 of 11
Funny Vows
Jemma and Michael wanted their wedding vows to reflect their laid-back nature and emphasize that the little things in a relationship are just as important as the big ones. The genius last line that had all their friends and family laughing? "I promise to do the stuff neither of us wants to do, if you really don't want to do it more than I don't." Now that's what we call true love.
-
Photography: Alicia Swedenborg7 of 11
Honest Vows
For an unexpected twist on the traditional vows, Negin and Chris had their officiant read letters they had written. Each described not only the positive aspects of the other, but also the negative, as well as why they wanted to get married. "The purpose was that a marriage contains it all, both positive and negative experiences, and to be aware of each other's good and bad sides," Negin says. "To love and work with the good and the bad."
-
Photography: YunHee Kim8 of 11
Unique Vows
When reciting promises to her bride, Lauren, who went first, surprised Vanessa with an original poem. "It was hilarious—and it rhymed!" says Vanessa. (An excerpt: You are gorgeous and smart, my perfect mate / And as everyone here knows, always fashionably late.) As for Vanessa's vows? "My vows were more serious and emotional," Vanessa said, laughing.
-
Photography: Elizabeth Messina Photography9 of 11
Modern Vows
Markus got pretty poetic in his fresh version of wedding vows. "I love you because you make me proud," he said to his bride, Alison. "Because you are adventurous and happy. You are the dream I never dreamed of come true. I love you because you make me say, 'Yes, we can. Yes, I want. Yes, I do.'" Hear their full vows in their wedding video.
-
10 of 11
Funny Vows
Jackie and Ross have their dear friend, Jonathan Sadowski, to thank for their self-described "unconventional, hysterical, sincere, and perfect" ceremony script. While officiating, Jonathan mixed it up, saying to Jackie, "If you are willing to agree to and accept the aforementioned terms of this contract, please say 'I'm in.' Ross, look at Jackie—her eyes are up there. If you are willing to agree to and accept the aforementioned terms of this contract, please say, 'All day, errday.'" See for yourself in their wedding video.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
11 of 11
Creative Vows
Our editorial director Darcy Miller is great at dreaming up creative wedding ideas, and her own vows were just as special—and funny, too. "Andy, with you I feel complete," Darcy said. "You brought magic to my life, and I look forward to making each other happy, always. No matter what life brings, I know we will always have each other. Our love is rare. I only wish you had talked some sense into me earlier."
In response, Andy said, "My sweetie, my bride, wonderful things happen to those who keep trying. Since the first time I met you, I wanted to make you happy, even when you draw those pictures of me that show me with less hair than I like to think I have. Now your happiness is my guide, and I will love you for every second of the rest of my life."
Other Ideas to Try
-
Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple
-
The Crazy Origins of 7 Classic Wedding Traditions
-
Your Wedding Horoscope for 2016
-
The 20 Most Common Questions About Wedding Planning—Answered!
-
16 Industry Insiders' Tricks for Easing Into Wedding Planning
-
The 64 Best Wedding Planners in the United States
-
28 Last-Minute Details That Will Transform Your Wedding
-
How to Throw an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner
-
Wedding 101s That Make Planning Way Easier
-
Your Comprehensive Guide to Getting Married at Home
-
The Ultimate 30-Day Wedding Countdown
-
24 Wedding-Planning Secrets That Only Pros Know
-
Wedding Do-Overs: What 5 Brides Regret
-
18 Ways to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding
-
9 Things You Should Know Before Booking a Wedding Videographer
-
9 Wedding-Planning Apps & Websites to Take Your Day From Trendy to Trending
-
11 Things You Need to Do Before Booking Your Wedding Vendors
-
The Unexpected Inspiration Behind 4 Real Couples' Weddings
-
6 Wedding Trends You Can Expect to See In 2017
-
5 Coffee Table Books That Double as Wedding Inspiration
-
17 Ways to Keep Guests Cool at Your Warm-Weather Wedding
-
How to Plan the Perfect Hometown Wedding Weekend
-
14 Expert Tips for Creating the Perfect Wedding-Day Timeline
-
How to Throw the Ultimate Summer Wedding
-
Tips for Planning a Wedding That's a Total Party from Start to Finish
-
Wedding Planners Dish on the Best Summer Wedding Ideas
-
10 Times Rain Made a Wedding Even More Special
-
Secret Sources: Our Favorite Stores for Wedding-Day Buys
-
Advice All Newly-Engaged Couples Need to Hear, According to the Pros
-
21 Bottles of Bubbly to Sip on the Morning of Your Wedding
-
13 Surprising Things You Can Rent for Your Wedding
-
10 Expert-Approved Tips for the Best Getting-Ready Photos Ever
-
16 Questions You Should Ask While Touring Wedding Venues
-
12 Expert-Approved Ideas for Your Wedding Welcome Party
-
How to Know If You Need a Wedding Planner
-
Experts Weigh In on Your Most-Pressing Wedding Planning Dilemmas
-
How to Make a Wedding Seating Chart Without Stressing Out
-
Wedding-Day Timelines, Seven Ways
-
42 Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue"
-
19 Foolproof Ways to Keep Kids Busy at Your Wedding
-
33 Amazing Ideas for Your Destination Engagement Photos
-
The First 10 Things You Need to Do Right After You Get Engaged
-
11 Things You Should Know Before You Plan Your Wedding
-
17 Most Common Wedding-Planning Mistakes Couples Make
-
Wedding Tips From Newlyweds You Won’t Want to Miss Before Walking Down the Aisle
-
The A to Z of Planning a Wedding: A Glossary to Help You Master the Lingo
-
Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline
-
10 Last-Minute Wedding-Planning To-Dos
-
21 Questions You Need to Ask Your Wedding Planner
-
How to Plan a Wedding in 9 Months
-
20 Questions That Make Planning a Wedding So. Much. Easier.
Let your answers guide you through the planning process, from deciding on a venue to choosing a unique wedding favor.
-
Create a Wedding Website That Shares Your Info—and Drums Up Excitement for the Big Day
-
Best Wedding Websites for Building Your Big-Day Domain
-
27 Ideas for Including Your Wedding Guests in the Party of a Lifetime
-
Everything You Need to Know About Having Your Dog in Your Wedding
-
10 Fun Jobs for the Father of the Bride
-
16 Things You Need to Know to Pull Off an Outdoor Wedding
-
24 Creative Wedding Exit Toss Ideas
-
Lucky (and Unlucky!) Days to Get Married
-
50 Good Things for Your Wedding
-
Diagram Your Big Day: Christian Wedding Ceremony Basics
-
Wedding Reception Seating
-
Good Things from Real Weddings
-
Good Things for Getting Organized
-
Etsy Obsessed: Our Editors' Favorite Finds
-
11 Unexpected Wedding Ceremony Readings for Your Big Day
-
Diagram Your Big Day: Jewish Wedding Ceremony Basics
-
9 Things to Know About Writing Your Wedding Vows
-
A Basic Wedding Ceremony Outline for Planning the Order of Your I Dos
-
6 Things That Can Save the Day at Your Wedding
-
4 Religious Ceremony Rituals That Go Beyond Classic Wedding Vows