EIGHTEEN OR SO DAYS! I REALLY DON’T KNOW! MATH IS NOT MY FORTE! BUT WHATEVER, THE WEDDING IS SOON! YES I’M STILL YELLING!
I’m feeling really, really, giddily good about our wedding, thanks to our awesome planner Paige and to the fact that dude, it’s our wedding! All the people we love (and the others we tolerate) will be sitting under the same big sycamore tree, watching us vow to honor and cherish each other for now and forevermore amen.
Yeah, about those vows, yeeeah. It’s kinda sad that figuring out the actual ceremony portion of the wedding is my final checkmark on the to-do list, falling right under “Make cocktail signs” and “Steam iron hair flower.” But that’s because it’s the hardest part. I’ve been debating over whether we should say something personal to each other, not necessarily our own vows, but some sweet words from the heart. It’s hard because on one hand, Matt and I don’t really say schmoopy, Hallmark-y things to each other. Like ever. So it would be weird to start now, on our wedding day. But on the other hand, it would be nice to write something, right? Every detail in this wedding has been mulled over and personalized. So for our ceremony, the most important part, why would we just go with a template?
I tried to write something tonight. I sat on the couch with my Moleskine notebook and started jotting down the reasons why I want to marry Matt. I thought I was off to a decent start but was running out of fuel. I decided to read him the list.
“You support all my life goals, even when they change every other day.
You encourage me to be a better (and more hygienic) person.
You take good care of me, petting my head and taking me to get pho when I’m sick.”
Matt stopped me. “Uh, it’s starting to sound like a kindergarten Mother’s Day card,” he said.
You know what? FINE! This is way too difficult.
But really, the more I think about it, reciting traditional vows—and adding nothing more—sounds like a good bet. I mean, what more do we need? We promise to love each other always, even when we get old and wrinkly and bald and fat. (OK, maybe not fat.)
It will be amazing no matter what. That is my vow.
I think couples should be required to write down their thoughts on their engagement day … because after that, it becomes one big blur of planning and parties and there’s never a good time after that to sit down and think without a million other things going through your head!!!!
It’s ok to stick to the classic. There’s a reason why it’s classic.
I was at a wedding recently were they had real old fashioned vows. Sickness & health, richer & poorer etc. It was so romantic! Not a dry eye in the house. I don’t know why but it made it all seem more real rather than something on tv.
Lots of love and luck for your wedding and your marriage
We did the traditional vows (minus “obey” and such) and there was a lot of crying (okay, mostly me). I love the traditional vows – I think they’re beautiful.
“You support all my life goals, even when they change every other day.”
if this is true, i am confident you will both live happily ever after
oh man i just tried writing my vows too and it is NOT EASY. but i am sticking to it and hope it turns out okay, haha. good luck!!
so excited for you and matt!!
I just found your website and love it. I got married a month ago. We did the traditional vows only. Really, they cover EVERYTHING. They’re a classic for a reason. Nothing wrong with a little something traditional. Have a great wedding!!
i agree with ashley.
Just stumbled across your blog. I’m a writer too, and used to think I would definitely write my own vows. I think I’ve come to realise, though, that I’ll either try to be funny (and fail) or fall into the overly saccharine camp, and everyone will cringe throughout the whole ordeal.