Hints & Tips to Help You Write the Perfect Vows
Writing your own vows adds a personal, unique and heartwarming element to your ceremony. It allows you both to declare the promises you are making to each other, in front of the people you hold nearest and dearest.
It may seem intimidating at the start, as there are so many things that you love about your other half, that you dream about for your future together and promises you want to make to them. My advice is to follow your instincts, discuss the tone you want for your vows together, decide if you want to add some humor or keep it romantic and use my hints and tips as a guide.
Aim to have your vows finished at least three weeks before your ceremony. Do not leave them until the last minute. A lot of the other planning seems bigger and more important, such as guest list changes, dressing your bridesmaids and groomsmen and your venue. However, your vows are the essence of your ceremony and need careful consideration.
To start, I suggest writing down:
- All of the things you love about your other half - their traits or cute habits.
- The reasons you wanted to marry them.
- A personal story to share with your guests, it can be funny or romantic, just make sure it is not embarrassing.
- All of your wishes for your future together.
- How you will both get through any struggles you may face and who can help you through these rough moments.
- The promises you want to make, as this is the main purpose of the vows and shows the serious commitment you are making to each other. End your vows with a final promise; "I promise to love you forever" or "I promise to not get annoyed when you rob the duvet off me every night".
When you have finished writing all of the things down, do some research on vows that other people have written so you can see the amount of words other people have used. Your vows need to be no more than 2 minutes long, so pick the most important points out of the list you made and keep editing until you get it to this length. Unfortunately you cannot include everything.
Ask a friend or relative can you read them your vows when you have the final version completed. I am sure they will be delighted to get a sneak peak before the big day. They may tell you to change things or add things to make them even better. Read them out loud as much as you can, and figure out when to put in pauses at the right moments - for laughter or tears and for your other half to feel the full impact of your words. If you can learn them off by heart even better, this gives you the chance to make eye contact with each other and make the vows even more intimate and special.
Bring a fresh copy of your vows to the ceremony. While it is the words that are the most important part of the vows, you need to think about how they will look in your hands. Print them on to card or you can buy vow books to hold them. Nobody wants to see crumpled up paper. I get my clients to email me a copy of theirs before the ceremony in case of any emergencies on the day, so ask your Celebrant could they have an spare copy in their folder for you (just in case).
Finally, try and keep your vows a secret from your other half, its exciting for both of you, look at them as a present to each other on the big day :)
Grá go deo,
Donna
Ballyvolane House
Ballyvolane House, Co. Cork is a magical setting for any size wedding. Tucked away in the beautiful north Cork countryside, Ballyvolane has been in the Green family for generations, so wedding guests can enjoy a slice of home-from-home ancestral chic. There are lots of options inside and outside. They have magnificent gardens and parkland around Ballyvolane House and in the past they have had ceremonies and blessings in the woods, in the tin barn, by the lakes and in the walled garden.
There are 6 lovely bedrooms, and smaller weddings can choose between the dining room in the house or the dining terrace in the converted barn to host their wedding meal.
Usually couples hire out the house exclusively for 2-3 days. There is also very good local accommodation in the area for any additional guests that may be joining.
During the summer months there are glamping bell tents available for wedding guests also.
The Village Barn
The Village Barn, Co. Westmeath is a totally unique and quirky venue that caters for weddings big and small and is totally up my street. It is located in Tyrrelspass, which is only minutes away from the M6 and is a family run business with over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. This beautiful venue offers couples a private venue in a beautiful rustic environment.
Couples have a choice and can have their ceremony in the Sanctuary or within their gorgeous, landscaped grounds. The sanctuary is their own on-site Chapel which is tucked away in the corner of their venue and has gorgeous pews and high windows to let as much natural light in as possible.
There is also the choice to have your reception in the Barn or the Orangery. The Barn is their main dining and dancing area, it has panoramic windows which lets the beautiful outside be viewed from the inside. It provides a fully stocked bar and showcases their quirky treasures, from old school desks to antique chandeliers and cosy seating by an open fire. The Orangery is smaller in size but offers a comfortable and cosy reception room and an outside patio area to use. The inside is amazing and features an open fire, a fully stocked bar, a tea and coffee station and amazing mismatched furniture.
There is a range of accommodation available for the couple and guests. The bridal suite is located on site and there are other quirky places for your guests to lay their heads; the new Farmhouse, the Cosy Cottage, the Turf Shed and the Shepard’s Hut.
Angler's Rest
Angler’s Rest, Dublin is one of my favourite venues in Dublin, as it has the most amazing cosy and charming atmosphere, as well as real high-end quality. It is set in a beautiful location on the banks of the River Liffey and is super close to the Phoenix Park which serves as a beautiful place for photos, and you might be lucky enough to get up and close with one of the 600 deer who reside there. It is also only about 20 minutes from Dublin Airport. I was lucky enough to go to winter wedding here and the rustic décor with candles everywhere and the fire lighting outside was just magical!
The staff here provide a service that is second to none and deliver astonishing attention to detail. The Angler’s Rest has always been extremely popular for smaller weddings, because a lot of couples want a venue that does not feel empty with smaller numbers, and luckily for them because of their well known and popular smaller weddings, their business has boomed during this time. This may also be because of the amazing package they have put together for smaller weddings.
The Angler’s Rest prides itself on the deserved reputation they have gained for their fine food and special attention is paid to their menu, which offers a vast selection of dishes to choose from. They also offer a fine selection of wines, beers and spirits which are perfect for your special day. So many couples have been disappointed with having their weddings cancelled or restricted but the staff in the Angler’s Rest really believe that “Love shouldn’t wait!” so if you think that this is the perfect venue for you, you can get in touch with them and they can help design the perfect day for you and your guests.
AMPM Belfast, features decorative floral walls, chic French-Inspired decor and of course, delicious food. This quirky venue based in the heart of Belfast City Centre has become synonymous with wholesome cuisine and intimate ambience. It is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding, whether it is after the Registry Office in Belfast City Centre, a local church or having the whole ceremony there led by a Celebrant. They are fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies and civil partnerships.
AMPM provides both a unique venue and unrivalled quality service and food to take the stress out of the big day for you. They can help from working with you on your wedding ideas, to creating menus, to coordinating the day itself so your event is truly flawless.
AMPM provide three different areas for your special day, there is the Champagne Lounge with its exquisite quirky décor, the Cabaret Supper Club, and the Treehouse rooftop lounge. All provide the perfect ambience and setting for your photos and your guests to enjoy.
Magnakata
Magnakata, Country wide. Magnakata provide “magnificent tents for magic events”. Magnakata hire out extraordinary Nordic Tipis to help create an everlasting impression on you and your guests.
They really are the most perfect wedding venue during these Covid times. Their Tipis are constructed using sustainable wooden poles and gorgeous coloured canvas which creates a fabulous, charming outdoor structure, perfect for any couple who prefer the quirky and the unique!
They are impressive on their own and they can be linked if there are larger numbers and even compliment an existing location. These structurally sound Tipis have flexible openings, innovative product design, which can house open fires and mechanical heaters, to allow weddings to happen in all types of weather, which is especially important in Ireland as we can have four seasons in one day. They offer an broad variety of furniture, lighting and accessories to provide function and style in one place, helping to make your wedding planning effortless. They also have a sister company called Blue Moon Event Design if you want to take your styling to the next level.
