HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN WEDDING VOWS
Creating handwritten wedding vows for your wedding day or elopement can be a beautiful way to express your love and commitment to your partner. In a world where digital communication is the norm, taking the time to sit down and put pen to paper can feel like a rare and intimate act. Handwritten vows are personal and heartfelt. They can be a meaningful way to share your hopes and dreams for your future together. Vow books can also add a cute touch to your detail photos. Whether you choose to exchange your vows in a traditional ceremony or a more unconventional elopement, writing them by hand can add a touch of romance and authenticity to your special day.
STEPS TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR OWN WEDDING VOWS
- Start by reflecting on your relationship and what makes it special. Think about the qualities that you love and appreciate in your partner. Or the experiences that you have shared, and how you have grown as an individual and as a couple.
- Consider the tone and style you want for your vows. Do you want them to be humorous, romantic, or sentimental? Do you want to use traditional language or create your style? Your vows should reflect your personality and your relationship.
- Brainstorm ideas for your vows. You can write down memories, feelings, and promises that you want to include. You can also ask yourself some questions, such as: What do you love most about your partner? How has your partner changed your life for the better? What do you want to promise to your partner for the future?
- Write a first draft of your vows. Don’t worry too much about getting it perfect at this stage. Just let your thoughts and feelings flow onto paper. You can edit and refine your vows later.
- When writing your vows, be sure to use “I” statements to express your feelings and intentions. Avoid using negative language or criticizing your partner.
- Practice saying your vows out loud. This will help you get a sense of the rhythm and flow of your words. You can also time yourself to make sure that your vows are not too long or too short.
- Share your vows with your partner. You can choose to read them to each other before the wedding or keep them a surprise until the ceremony. Either way, make sure that you are both comfortable with the content of your vows.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HANDWRITTEN VOWS STAND OUT
If you’re looking for some unique ideas to make your wedding vows stand out, here are some suggestions:
- Use humor: Injecting some humor into your vows can help lighten the mood and show your partner that you don’t take yourselves too seriously. Just make sure that your humor is appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t detract from the seriousness of the moment.
- Use quotes or poetry: If you’re struggling to find the right words, consider incorporating quotes or poetry that resonate with you and your relationship. This can add a poetic or literary touch to your vows and make them even more romantic.
- Make promises to each other: Vows are about making promises to your partner, so be specific about what you’re committing to. Consider promising to always support each other’s dreams, to be there through thick and thin, or to love each other unconditionally.
- Include personal anecdotes: Sharing a personal story or anecdote about your relationship can add a unique touch to your vows and make them more meaningful. For example, you might talk about the moment you knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with your partner or recount a special memory that you shared.
- Talk about your hopes and dreams: Vows are not just about the present, but also about the future. Consider talking about your hopes and dreams for your life together, and how you plan to achieve them as a team.
Remember, the most important thing is to speak from your heart and be true to yourself and your relationship. Your wedding vows are a personal expression of your love and commitment to your partner. Be sincere, be honest, and speak from your heart. This moment is a personal expression of your love and commitment, so make them unique for you and your partner.
COLORADO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | WHITNEY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re planning a wedding or elopement in Colorado, your love story deserves to be captured in a way that reflects the unique beauty of this stunning state. As a Colorado wedding and elopement photographer, I am passionate about capturing the raw emotions and natural landscapes that make your special day truly unforgettable. Let’s work together! Contact me so we can connect and take the first step toward capturing your love story.
Every wedding is unique and deserves more than a cookie-cutter approach. By stepping back to let intimate moments unfold naturally while offering support and guidance to ensure no important memory is missed, I strive to create timeless images that blend an editorial style with a documentary approach. From the distinctive details of your celebration to the cherished traditions, I'll deliver a collection of photographs that allow you to relive these memories for years to come. After all, the moments that matter most aren’t always staged or polished—they’re raw, authentic, and uniquely you.
Don’t you agree?
MY PHILOSOPHY
An Honest Wedding Experience
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”
Words I Live by
I'm WHITNEY.
Your wedding day is a story—one filled with fleeting moments of beauty, deep emotion, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. As an artist, I am here to preserve those moments with intention, artistry, and care. I don’t just capture what your wedding looked like—I document how it felt.
Born and raised in the breathtaking landscapes of Vail, Colorado, I am deeply inspired by the way love and nature intertwine. There’s something poetic about the way light moves across mountain peaks, the way wind dances through a bride’s veil, and how the beauty of the outdoors mirrors the intimacy of a wedding day. My work is shaped by this connection—an effortless blend of refined editorial imagery and documentary storytelling, allowing each wedding to unfold naturally while being captured with timeless elegance.
Beyond photography, I am an adventurer at heart. Whether I’m exploring new landscapes, hiking through the Rockies, or traveling to breathtaking destinations, my love for movement and exploration brings an effortless, natural feel to my imagery. Every love story is unique, and I am deeply invested in capturing the emotions, scenery, and in-between moments that make your wedding day truly unforgettable. From the moment we connect, my goal is to provide an effortless, elevated experience that allows you to be fully present while I handle the art of storytelling. With a calm, intuitive approach, I blend artistic direction with documentary storytelling—guiding you when needed while allowing your most authentic moments to unfold naturally. My couples value timeless, emotive imagery, a refined yet relaxed presence, and the confidence of knowing their memories are being preserved with intention. When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me skiing down the slopes, hiking with my husband and our two border collies, or enjoying a slow morning with a perfectly crafted latte. I live for meaningful conversations, spontaneous adventures, and capturing beauty in the quiet, in-between moments of life—just as I do with my couples. I take on a limited number of weddings each year to provide an intimate, high-touch experience, ensuring each love story is captured with the highest level of artistry and care. If you feel drawn to timeless, emotional, and editorial-inspired imagery, I would love to hear your vision and create something extraordinary together.
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"she made the day feel so easy and seamless"
