Wedding Vow Structure: 6 Parts to Custom Vows + Real Examples

Is it time to write your vows but you have no idea where to begin? To help your writer’s block, I’ve outlined a wedding vow structure. As a vow writer, I’ve found that the biggest struggle couples have around writing their vows is often not understanding how to organize their thoughts.

With this wedding vow structure that I’ve created, you can take all those emotions and slot them into their respective sections. This will make writing your vows easier and less stressful. Grab a pen and a blank page. It’s time to outline the framework for your vows.

Step #1: Start by Setting the Scene

There’s no need to overthink or overcomplicate the start of your vows. Simply begin by addressing your fiance by name. Next, explain how you’re feeling at this exact moment.

Examples:

• Jordan, when I asked to be your science project partner in 5th grade, I never imagined it would result in standing in front of you today. 

• Kelsey, I knew from the moment we shared our first kiss under the stars, that you’d one day become my wife.

• Theo, standing here with you today, I know that I’m exactly where I am meant to be. 

Step #2: Communicate What You Love About Your Partner

The next section of the vow writing structure involves listing qualities you admire in your partner. 

Here are a few writing prompts to help you come up with material for this part: 

• What is your favorite thing about your partner?

• What qualities do they have that you don’t?

• How do they inspire you?

• What stands out as characteristics that are uniquely them? 

• What makes you most grateful when you think of them?

Hi, I’m Katelyn Peterson.

Founder of Wedding Words and your personal vow writer.

I help stressed-out and overwhelmed couples feel relief, excitement, and confidence by turning their love stories into unforgettable words that feel deeply personal, emotionally deep, and never cringey.

No templates.

No AI.

No gimmicks.

With a background in journalism and years of experience writing for brides and grooms, I know how to ask the right questions, find your authentic voice, and craft vows that bring the room to tears…and laughter.

Whether you’re overwhelmed, drawing a blank, or just want your vows to feel as meaningful as your relationship, I’ve got you.

Ready to stop staring at a blinking cursor and start feeling excited about what you’ll say?

Click the link below to book your free consult today.

I can’t wait to write vows you love!

Step #3: Describe What You Love About Your Relationship

During this third section of the vow writing structure, explain what you appreciate about your relationship.

Do you two share a special sense of humor? Do you have this unique way of reading each other’s minds? Do you both have a passion for adventure and travel? 

Write a few sentences explaining why you feel your relationship is special.

Step #4: List Specific Promises

Promises are key to making your wedding vows actual vows. As a professional vow writer, I recommend listing three to six specific promises. 

The majority should focus on sincere promises that can stand the test of time. One or two of the promises could be more playful and humorous. 

Examples of Promises for Your Vows:

• I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when they’re only kind of funny.

• I promise to be honest, loyal, and respectful.

• I promise to support your dreams as my own.

• I promise to care for you when you’re sick, laugh with you when you’re sad, and carry your worries when you’re upset.

• I promise to be there for you during all of life’s moments...the ones that will bring us laughter and the ones that will cause us tears.

• I promise to not keep any secrets.

• I promise to share my life with you, my heart with you, and my dreams with you. 

• I promise to care for and love your son as my own child.

• I promise to love you for all of my days. 

Step #5: Describe Your Vision for Marriage

As we near the end of the vow writing structure, it’s time to describe how you envision your marriage.

How will your supportive nature keep your marriage strong? What shared dreams do you see coming true? How will you two remain close, even though the challenges and changes that will occur throughout your marriage? 

Use this section of the structure to provide insight into how you see your marriage looking from now and into the future. 

Step #6: Close with a Loving Last Line

For the last section in the vow writing structure, end with a love-filled last line. 

Examples:

• To my soul mate, partner for life, and now my wife. I will always love you. 

• You are my North star, my best friend, my forever.

• I love you to the moon and back.

• I will forever be your person.

Just like with the first line of your vows, don’t overthink the last line. When in doubt, a simple but heartfelt, “I love you,” is a wonderful ending to your vows and start to your marriage. 

Need More Help with the Wedding Vow Structure? 

This wedding vow structure may help you to get started but if you’re still struggling, consider working with an expert vow writer. 

I work with each client to write custom vows that reflect their unique love story. Get in touch to learn how we can work together to write your custom vows. 

Vow Examples Using the Vow Writing Structure

Here are several examples of vows to illustrate each of the six steps in the vow writing structure.

Example 1

Kenan, 

During that summer 9 years ago at Camp Robin when we met as counselors, I could see what a fun, kind-hearted, and spirited person you were. I never imagined back then that I’d be standing on this campground all these years later to say I do to you, in the same place where you kissed me for the very first time.

You were this bright-eyed boy who showed me what it meant to be spontaneous, adventurous, and authentic. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to stand by your side as you’ve grown into the man you are today: thoughtful, brilliant, and deeply loving. 

Our relationship is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Together, I feel like we can conquer any challenge and every celebration means more when your hand is in mine. 

As I become your wife today, I make these vows to you: 

I promise to continue living a life full of adventure and fun.

I promise to keep encouraging your personal growth.

I promise to travel the world with you, and to think the world of you.

I promise to love you unconditionally from this day forward. 

I know our marriage will be full of endless laughter, constant comfort, and unwavering love and I know it will be wonderful because I’ll be experiencing it with you.

Here’s to our greatest adventure yet. I love you, Kenan. 

Example 2

Ava, from our first hike up Storm King Mountain to this moment standing beside you, every step has brought me closer to the life I didn’t know I was waiting for.

I love your fierce loyalty, your unfiltered laughter, and the way you dive headfirst into everything you care about…including us. You make ordinary days feel cinematic and every challenge feel conquerable.

Remember our first New Year’s Eve together? We got stuck in that sketchy motel during the snowstorm, ate gas station snacks for dinner, and still somehow made it the best night of the year? That’s us…turning chaos into magic.

I promise to protect your heart like it’s my own, to stand by you when the view is breathtaking and when it’s foggy and unclear.

I promise to listen fully, to laugh loudly, and to grow with you, always.

And I promise to keep viewing every moment as an adventure.

We both know life won’t always be easy, but I believe in us. In our grit, our grace, and our ability to face anything, hand in hand, side by side, together…forever.

Forever is the plan. But with you, even forever won’t feel like enough. I love you for now and for always.

Example 3

Elena, I still remember the exact moment I knew you were it for me. We were sitting on the floor of your tiny apartment, eating takeout Thai, and I looked over at you and thought, I’m already home. I still feel that way today.

I love how you light up a room without trying, how you love fiercely, how you remember the tiniest details about the people you care for.

Like when you made me that playlist for my job interview or stayed up with me until 3 a.m. while I finished my grad school project…those little moments became the defining ones in the story of falling in love with you.

I vow to never take you for granted. I’ll show up for you, celebrate with you, and hold space for your joy and your pain.

Even when we get busy, tired, or tangled in the messiness of life, I’ll keep choosing you.

You are my greatest honor, and I will love you with a heart wide open, for all the days we’re given.

Example 4

Standing here, Kieran, I keep thinking about that rainy morning in Venice when we got caught without umbrellas and you twirled me around in the street like we were in a movie.

You make life feel like that…romantic, unpredictable, and completely cinematic.

I love your compassion, the way you talk to strangers like they’re old friends, and how deeply you care about doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

I promise to meet you where you are. To be your warmth when the world feels cold and your calm when the storm hits.

I promise to show up for you and to stand next to you.

I promise to continue finding ways to make the best of the rainy moments…just like we did in Venice.

We’ll evolve. We’ll mess up. We’ll grow.

And I’ll never stop reaching for your hand through it all.

You are my home, my adventure, and my every next chapter. I love you.

Example 5

Jason, from the first moment you brought me a coffee with a Post-it note that said, “Just because,” I’ve felt completely seen by you.

I love your goofy humor, your steady nature, and the way you love people so quietly but so deeply.

I think about that weekend we spent camping in the Catskills when the tent collapsed and we ended up sleeping under the stars. You turned a disaster into one of my favorite memories.

I promise to keep laughing with you, never let us get too serious for kitchen dance parties or late-night frozen pizza.

Whatever life brings—joy, grief, change—I promise to walk through it with you, side by side.

You’re my greatest comfort and my favorite person. I’ll never stop choosing you or loving you…just because.

Example 6

Nina, today I stand before you and still can’t believe I get to love you for the rest of my life.

I love your curiosity, your strength, and how you see the good in the world even when it’s hard to find.

That night you stayed up late helping my sister write her college essay—even though you had your own deadline—you showed me who you really are: someone who loves fully and selflessly.

I promise to nurture your dreams, support your ideas…no matter how crazy they may sound…and be your steady when things feel uncertain.

I promise to respect you, even when I disagree with you.

And I promise to give you grace when I’m tempted to just give you attitude.

There will be days we disagree or grow tired, but I vow to keep returning to this love with patience and intention.

Loving you is the truest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m all in…now and forever. I love you.