To Have and To Forever Cherish Your Vows - A Wedding Keepsake

Vows are an incredibly special part of any wedding ceremony, of course, and they become so much more special when you and your partner write personalized vows.

Source: Heart Shaped Lock Box

It’s easy enough to save these vows by putting them in a photo album or in a box of other important papers, but it is just as easy for them to be forgotten there. More likely, they will get lost in the day-to-day shuffle, and it will be up to the two of you to remember the words.

Your wedding vows are important, though, and should be kept somewhere equally special. Your vows are the most heartfelt profession of your love you’ve likely ever spoken. They should continue to serve as a frequent reminder of the promises you made to each other. This white and gold heart-shaped lockbox is a beautiful way to save your vows. During your wedding, after you each say your vows, place the written vows inside the box and lock it.

Source: Locking Vows Inside

During the reception, display this unique keepsake on the head table in front of you. After the wedding, the box can be displayed somewhere in your home, on a dresser or the mantel, for instance, and your vows of love will always be within easy reach.

Source: Heart Box Display

The best thing about this lock box is that it stores and protects the emotions you felt about each other at one of the highest peaks of your relationship. These feelings deserve to be held on to and cherished. just as you hold on to and cherish each other. Every time you look at this box, you can be reminded of those emotions. Any time you are struggling or maybe have forgotten how your wedding day felt, all you have to do is unlock the box and read through your own words and relive some of the best moments of your relationship.

You could even make a tradition out of reading the vows together on your anniversary, and add new vows to them as your relationship grows and evolves.

Source: Writing Vows, Writing With Daughter

If you have children at the time of your wedding, you could write a letter to them as well, a parental vow of sorts, and keep that in the heart-shaped box, for them to read when they’re older. Or, if they’re old enough at the time of the wedding, you could have them participate in the vow-writing so their own words can be included in the lock box along with their parents’.

This elegant vow box is an exquisite, romantic supplement to a wedding ceremony and to a bride and groom’s devotion to each other, and will keep the written vows alive and fresh far longer than a memory could.

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

How will you say "I do?" - Traditional Vows vs. Creating Your Own Ceremony

Since the 1600s weddings in western cultures have begun with the words "Dearly Beloved" and included passionate phrases like 'til death do us part.' These days it seems like couples want their  wedding day to reflect who they are and be tailored to their personalities in every way. This includes the wedding vows. If you are still on the fence about whether you want to write your own, search the web, or go with tradition - consider the pros and cons of each approach.

Creating Your Own Ceremony

This is the most romantic approach to wedding vows.

The pros: These vows will be 100% unique. Even if you piece together phrases from pre-written ceremonies no other couple will have spoken the words before in exactly the same way. You can make them as simple and sweet or as passionate and lengthy as you deem necessary. 

The cons: Writing your own vows can be stressful. It is too easy to write too much or too little. You wouldn't want the groom to give a full page speech for the bride to respond with two sentences. Another negative side is the fact that some more rigid religions will not accept your vows.

Advice: Couples should sit down together and come up with some basic guidelines. Things to consider are; how long you want the ceremony to last and what you want to include. Be sure to memorize your vows before the wedding. It is a good idea to also include a little notecard that can be discretely tucked away into a pocket or bouquet for reference. If your religion does not allow you to write your own vows, you can always exchange them at your rehearsal dinner or reception.

Traditional Vows

There is something very special about speaking the same words that have created marriages for thousands of years.

The pros: Reciting your vows after the reverend is easy. The words carry the weight and meaning of tradition and while they are often simple. They are probably the words you spoke when playing wedding as a child so that element of fairy tale is definitely there. They are also perfect for vintage theme weddings that want to play on nostalgia.

The cons: Some couples find traditional vows to be a little bland. They may not suite your individual style, culture, or situation. Your bride may not want to say "to love, honor, and obey" for example.

Advice: If you love the meaning tradition carries and you want a low stress approach, go for it! Your guests may know the script, but they will also see how the words take on a new meaning when spoken by such a great couple! There is also comfort in the familiar.

It is completely acceptable to write some of your vows, use some portions from a pre-written ceremony, and tie in your favorite elements of a traditional wedding. Your vows are an important part of your wedding ceremony. While the promises are real and serious, that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with it too!

Good Luck!