Writing your elopement vows can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. You want your special day to be perfect, vows included. Below, I’ll share my top tips for writing your vows with ease. You might even have a little fun with it too!
Do you need vows for your elopement?
While an elopement should be anything you want it to be, you should definitely share vows during your ceremony. Even though it may just be you and your partner, your vows express the promise you’re making to one another.
Your elopement vows don’t have to be like those you hear at a traditional wedding, but it’s ideal for them to be words of commitment, dedication, and love. The best part – your vows can be whatever fits you and your love best. Long, short, funny, serious, cheesy. It’s all about you and your partner on your special day!
Tips for Writing Your Elopement Vows
As an elopement photographer, one of my favorite moments of an elopement is witnessing couples share their personalized vows. Don’t let writing your elopement vows stress you out! Use these tips to create and share meaningful vows you’re proud of and excited to say on your big day.
Here’s a quick overview of my top tips for writing the perfect vows. Then, I’ll share more about the process and how it works.
- Write your vows when you’re ready.
- You don’t have to keep your vows a secret.
- Take notes first.
- Be cheesy.
- Use a vow book.
- Speak directly to your partner.
- Be yourself.
- Practice saying your vows.
Write Your Vows When You’re Ready
Writing elopement vows is a huge deal! After all, it’s all about the promises you’re making to your future spouse and the love you have for them. So it’s important to write them when you’re ready.
No matter how much you love your person, writing your vows can be difficult. To make it easier, you want to be sure you’re in the right headspace and ready to express yourself. Be mindful of the timing and how you’re feeling before sitting down to write your vows.
Tip: Avoid writing your vows after a stressful day at work or in the middle of trying to get chores done.
I recommend scheduling a time for yourself to work on your vows before your elopement day. Maybe set aside a few different times to work on them, so you don’t feel rushed. Make it a whole thing and do a relaxing activity first to clear your head of any distractions and bring yourself to the moment.
You Don’t Have to Keep Your Vows a Secret
While most couples like to keep their vows a secret, you don’t have to. Every couple is different and your big day is all about you! If you and your partner prefer to set “vow writing dates” and work on them together or alongside each other, why not?
Remember that keeping them a secret can add to the fun and excitement the day of. But writing wedding vows together can let you discuss the promises you want to make to one another. You can also write them together without sharing them yet. This is what my partner and I did!
You might also be interested in reading: The Ultimate Mountain Elopement Guide
Take Notes First
This tip might be the most important! I definitely don’t recommend sitting down to write your vows from start to finish the first time. Instead, try taking notes to brainstorm and come up with ideas before you actually begin to write.
You can even jot down special things that come to you in passing leading up to your elopement day. Grab your phone and make a quick note. That way you don’t forget, and you’ll have it to come back to.
Some great topics to take notes on to include in your vows include:
- Your first impression of your partner
- The moment you knew they were the one
- A few reasons you love your partner
- Specific memories you cherish and/or that have brought you closer
- Promises you want to make for your future
- Future plans you’re looking forward to together
- Finish with “I Love You”
Be Cheesy
Your elopement vows are some of the most special words you’ll ever share. So it’s okay to be cheesy! Of course, if you prefer to be serious, that’s okay. But get a little mushy and throw at least a cheesy line or two in there.
Some people find it challenging to be vulnerable, and that’s okay. But this is an important day and commitment, and it’s the best time of any to open up about the love you have for your person.
If you struggle with this, working on your vows over time and practicing them can make it easier.
Use a Vow Book
Vow books are perfect for eloping! Each partner can get their own vow book to write their vows and read from on your elopement day. With the extra pages, you can journal about your special day afterward or use it as an anniversary journal.
Vow books are great because they can be personalized, they’re aesthetically pleasing, and can be the best wedding day keepsake. They also make for great photo ops!
Tip: You can write your vows directly into your vow book after you’ve taken some notes or write a rough draft of your vows before writing them in your vow book.
Speak Directly to Your Partner
This one’s important! You want to make sure you’re speaking directly to your partner when you’re writing your vows.
Remember that your vows are about you and your love, no one else. Say whatever you want that would be special for the two of you. It’s okay to share inside jokes and intimate sentiments. And since you’re eloping, there won’t be a bunch of people around to hear your vows anyways.
Be Yourself
While writing your vows can feel so serious (because it is important), being yourself makes them more meaningful. You want your partner to feel like you’re the one speaking to them. Let your personality shine through!
I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t stress over making your vows perfect. Have fun with it. Be silly, serious, or both – whatever feels authentic to you.
Practice Saying Your Vows
Once you have your vows written, it’s time to practice saying them!
Remember, reading from your vow book at your elopement is perfectly acceptable. But to avoid looking down the entire time, it can help to practice saying your vows a few times before your ceremony. This way, you’ll have at least some of it remembered, and you can look up at your love while you’re sharing your vows.
And if you’re someone who gets nervous, practicing your vows beforehand can relieve some pressure.
Writing Your Elopement Vows: Final Thoughts
Writing your vows doesn’t have to be stressful! With these tips, you can have fun writing your vows, feel prepared on your big day, and let your partner know just how special they and your future together are to you.
I actually eloped myself, and I totally understand how profound this process is. In fact, writing my own vows was an incredibly special moment. The day before my elopement, my partner and I chose to go to a small mountain town coffee shop and write our vows together. We sat at a table outside as locals strolled past, sipped on our coffees, and occasionally looked up from our notes to smile at one another. Writing your vows with your partner can be as adventurous or simple and sweet as you’d like it to be.
Want more help with your elopement day? I might be your girl! Among the Pines (that’s me!) is an elopement photographer who can also help plan and execute your dream wedding day. I even have a 100-page elopement guide to share with you!
CHLOE + CONNER
Brooke is professional, prepared, and provides all the peace of mind that a bride needs on her wedding day. Because of our conversations leading up to the day, I had no doubt that she would capture every important moment and more. Throughout the day, she was present and helpful, but never overbearing or controlling. She beautifully captured the moments that happened naturally & her experience allowed for insight and ideas that I wouldn't have thought to ask for but that I'll now cherish forever! She is flexible, understanding, and patient, and looking back, we can't imagine our day without her. If you are looking for someone to capture your wedding day, or just any day, Brooke is your girl. She goes above and beyond to serve her clients, and she is absolutely gifted at what she does.
"SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SERVE HER CLIENTS, and she is absolutely gifted at what she does."
Linden + Brent
In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo. Brooke made both of us feel so at ease, from our individual sessions before we had our first look, to strolling through downtown Ouray, to our ceremony and in the scenic spots we visited afterwards. Her talent is beyond compare and we are absolutely thrilled with our gallery of photos we will treasure forever. We give Brooke our highest recommendation and can’t wait to work with her again!
"Throughout the entire planning process, Brooke was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy."
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Brooke is hands down the most talented photographer I have ever met in my entire life. I gave her my inspiration and she took it and made it into something entirely unique and beautiful. Brooke was able to work with my budget and offer me options. Along with all of this, she was always there to communicate with me from ideas to concerns. The day of never goes as planned, she was thrown curveball after curveball and dodged them all with ease. The photos we received memorialized the best day of our lives and we are forever grateful for the beautiful artwork she created.
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ERICA & ZACH
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"SHE TRULY CAPTURED SOME VERY SPECIAL MEMORIES THAT I WILL HAVE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE."
Our wedding was in Kentucky in September. Brooke not only traveled for us but made a custom package for us because we had a unique situation. She took pictures the day before, and just seemed to be in the right place at the right time. She met with me before the wedding and we communicated a few times up to the wedding about my specific requests, and she hit the nail on the head. I am so very thankful for Brooke's story-telling, organic nature. She captured our wedding for exactly what it was and what I will remember it to be...full of joy, laughter, love and hope for the future!
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KRYSTAL & BRANDON
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Brooke truly listened to what we wanted as a couple, our hopes, and took time to understand our "vibe," which came through in her work she delivered.
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ALI & KYLE
That's exactly what Brooke does, she captures a story. No words needed. You can see it and feel it. You can remember the exact moment and how you feel for that person and see how they feel about you. Her intuitive eye has only gotten sharper. I can’t wait to see what other adventures await for her to capture.
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Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
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