What better gift can you give to your loved one, than a true statement of love? Photo Andreas Holm
In theory personal vows can be anything you want them to be; lyrics from a love song, extracts from your love story, a famous quote. However, in general most peoples’ vows follow one of three specific types of format, which are then shaped nicely to suit each individual style and personality.
A qualities pledge
This is a rather clumsy way of describing a pledge which mainly lists the reasons why you love your loved one and all the things about them that make you love them even more. Here is a example that I am literally going to write from off the top of my head.
I Jennifer, take you Justin, just the way you are. For being the kindest, funniest, warmest person, I know and will ever know. For loving me so honestly and passionately and for sharing all your dreams and wishes with me. For being the person who brings me a cup of tea first thing in the morning and gives me a kiss, last thing at night. The person who puts me first before himself, who protects me fiercely, loves me dearly and challenges me daily. My human water bottle, food waste disposal unit and doer of all washing up. I stand here today to tell you how much I love you and to pledge all that I have to you.
A vow pledge
This format of vow consists mainly of promises and pledges that you wish to make to your love bunny. It’s a really nice technique to mix some serious ones with some light-hearted ones too.
My darling Prince William, today I promise myself to you as a good wife, best friend, partner in crime and soul mate. I promise to love you even when I don’t like you very much. I promise to always hold your hand. I promise to help you back up when you fall down and not just when we’re drunk. I promise to support you in your dreams and help them to become our dreams. To give you space when you need it and to give you closeness when you don’t need the space. I promise to try and like football and to understand the rules, as long as you promise to let me watch Sex and the City re-runs as many times as I like. I promise to fill our house with fun and laughter and to fill your heart with happiness and love. I promise me, all of me, just to you.
Mixed qualities-pledge vow
And finally, we have the mixed qualities-pledge vow, which is where you have a mixture of the first two types of vows. A fab way to say why you love your love bunny whilst making promises to them at the same time.
My gorgeous baby Madonna, the first time I met you, I thought you were the loudest, brashest and most annoying person ever. But I also found you to be the most beautiful, creative and fascinating person I had ever met. And I knew in that moment, we, were going to become ‘us’. From that day, you have taught me more about myself than I could have ever known, you have showed me love in ways I could never imagine and you have made me a better person than I could ever have become by myself. I love your drive, your passion, your energy, your generosity and your wisdom (in choosing me, ha ha!!) and I promise to always love you as much as I do now. I promise to always have your back and to be your man. To let you think you are always right, to do as you say, (most of the time) and to continue to make you as happy as I am now. I promise to brighten your days, strengthen our weaknesses and to uphold our commitment. I love you.
So there you have it, a quick breakdown about the different types of vow formats that there are and some quickly written examples that I’m actually quite pleased with and may even re-use for my big day. Good luck with yours and remember to write from the heart first, head second. You should be able to hear yourself in your vows and that way you will know that they are a true representation of you.
If I may have helped you in anyway, please do share below, as I’d love to know. x
