I'm a fine art wedding and portrait photographer — creating a space that welcomes creativity and inspiration. Based in Colorado, my work has taken me across the globe.

Meet WHITNEY RAE

HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN WEDDING VOWS

tips for couples

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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?
  4. 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.
  5. When writing your vows, be sure to use “I” statements to express your feelings and intentions. Avoid using negative language or criticizing your partner.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Call it authentic, candid or genuine. Whatever the adjective, I want to create a wedding celebration that resembles you, from the big celebrations and the in-between moments to the images I deliver that help you relive the day for years to come. When it comes to your wedding day, the moments you want to remember aren't always perfect, staged or scripted, they are uncut, raw and true to you.

AN HONEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE

I believe in

Dorothea Lange

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”

Words I Live by

Let's Connect

I'm WHITNEY.

*Virtual Wave*

Hello! I feel beyond honored that you've made your way here! In order to give you the best representation of who you'll be spending your wedding day (one of the best days you'll live) with, here's a brief run down!

First and foremost, I'm a mountain gal through and through. I was born and raised in Vail, Colorado and unless it's another mountain town, my husband and I will always call this home. It's the tightly knit community, the fresh air (but really, it hits different here), the scenery and most importantly for us, the recreation + lifestyle. This is something that will always come through in my work, and what I believe sets me just a little bit apart - I am, and will forever be, inspired by the poetry of love in landscapes. 

I have a deep desire to be on the move, to see everything before I don't have the opportunity to, and are therefore happiest when traveling and exploring new places (which I feel so lucky is a part of my work!) 
























 




Spending quality time hiking/biking/skiing/camping with my husband and our two border collies, clocking in some R&R at home or catching up with a friend over a glass of wine/craft beer are things that always sit at the top of the priority list.

If you're in to it- I'm a Libra, A Manifesting Generator (6-2) and an Enneagram 7 Wing 6/8. In short, I'm a people person, an optimist, and for lack of better terms- like to get shit done and make things happen. I'm a feeler, with a strong sense of empathy and sense of what people are experiencing, both when it comes to myself and others. I'm a bit of a goof, a tiny little thing packed with some sass, and ultimately just want to live a fun and adventurous life that's packed with new experiences and people. 

..I guess that's why I do what I do. I feel so grateful to be on this journey of having my own business where I have freedom to curate the life I want to live, where I get to connect with truly so many amazing humans, travel to some really beautiful places, and document that as a whole, as creatively and beautifully as I can for you.

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