Wedding Vow Examples: 25 Romantic, Funny and Short Vows for Inspiration
Writing your wedding vows is one of the most meaningful parts of your ceremony, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. You’ve nailed the table plan, fitted the gown, found the flowers – yet despite keeping a cool head about everything else on the to-do list, you’re stopping short at writing your wedding vows.
Don’t worry – this is an area that most couples find challenging. Writing your own wedding vows is increasingly common, giving your ceremony a personal touch, but that’s a lot of pressure for just a few words. Looking at real wedding vow examples can really help: they’ll show you what kind of tone, rhythm and structure works best, and spark ideas you can make your own.
Below you’ll find inspiration across a range of styles – from romantic vows in their many different forms, to short and sweet vows, funny vows and more contemporary styles popular at modern weddings.
What Makes a Great Wedding Vow?
The best wedding vows tend to weave together a few key elements: an expression of love and commitment to your partner, a personal memory or story that reflects your relationship, and a promise for your future together. A great vow will strike a balance between heartfelt and honest – reflecting on where you’ve come from, looking ahead to where you’re going, and perhaps raising a smile along the way.
Vows can be brief or more expansive; what matters most is that they feel true to you as a couple. If you’d like guidance on length, read our guide to how long wedding vows should be.
Romantic Wedding Vow Examples
These romantic wedding vow examples focus on heartfelt language, emotional storytelling and promises for the future. Use them as a starting point and add your own memories and details to make them personal.
Telling your own love story
“From the moment I met you at [place], I knew my life was about to change. What started as [how you met] has turned into [x] years of love, laughter and joy – and I can’t wait to share the rest of my life with you.”
Focusing on your partner’s qualities
“There is no one like you, [name]. You are kind, caring, funny and endlessly thoughtful. Without you, my life would be [x] – and so I stand here today, forever grateful that I get to call you my [husband/wife/partner].”
Celebrating your partner’s quirks
“To the one who always leaves the hallway light on, may you never change – because you light up my world with your warmth and sunny disposition. You’ve even got me [trying new things/taking up new hobbies], and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The big adventures you’ve shared
“I will never forget the time we [adventurous story], when I looked at you in [place] and realised you were the one. I knew then that this was forever.”
The small everyday romances
“It’s already been [x] years, but I still wake up every day excited to share a cup of tea and discuss the day with you. To me, those ordinary moments are the most romantic thing in the world – and I want to share them with you for the rest of my life.”
Romantic vows inspired by literature
If you’re looking for inspiration from history and literature, incorporating a well-chosen quote or extract can add real depth to your vows.
You might draw on Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, which speaks to enduring love that “looks on tempests and is never shaken”, or a line from a love letter that resonates with you.
See our guide to love poems and quotes for your wedding ceremony for more ideas, as well as our article on wedding readings for other sources of inspiration.
Short Wedding Vow Examples
Wedding vows can be as brief as a minute per person – sometimes less. These short wedding vow examples show how a few carefully chosen words can carry real meaning. For more on pacing and timing, read our guide on how long wedding vows should be.
- “I have felt unconditionally loved every day for [x] years – and that feeling is something money can’t buy. Thank you, [name].”
- “To marry you, [name], and spend the rest of our days together is the surest guarantee I’ll spend my life smiling.”
- “I promise to be your best friend and partner in all things, and to love and cherish you forever.”
- “You light up every room you walk into. Please never change.”
- “Thank you for giving me the life I always dreamt of.”
Short quotes to weave into your vows
A single well-chosen quote can carry a lot of weight in a short vow. Here are some to consider:
- “Love is a force more formidable than any other.” — Barbara de Angelis
- “Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.” — Elinor Glyn
- “You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.” — Barbara de Angelis
- “To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.” — Karen Sunde
- “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.” — Carl Sagan
Funny Wedding Vow Examples
If your relationship is built on laughter, or you simply want to raise a smile during your ceremony, a touch of humour can work beautifully in your vows – as long as it’s warm, affectionate and respectful. Remember to keep it PG (grandparents will be watching), go easy on the inside jokes, and make sure the humour never comes at your partner’s expense.
Here are some example wedding vows that strike the right balance:
- “My love, if life is a grand comedy, then you are my favourite punchline – in the very best way.”
- “I promise to always save the last slice of pizza for you.”
- “I promise not to complain when you watch [insert show here] for the fourth time.”
- “I promise to go on every hike you suggest, even though you know exactly how I feel about them – because I love you more than I dislike hills.”
- “We are strong together, unbreakable. So I know we can handle whatever life throws at us – though I may revisit that view if it involves a third child.”
A funny poem to quote in your vows
If you’re stumped for ideas, a well-chosen comic poem can get a laugh from both your partner and your guests. “Wedding Vow Haiku” by Tracy Davidson is a favourite:
I promise to loveand will gladly honour youbut obey? no way!
Modern Wedding Vow Examples
These modern wedding vow examples reflect the personalised, contemporary ceremonies that many couples choose today. They use a casual tone, everyday language and personal storytelling – perfect if traditional phrasing doesn’t feel quite like you.
A modern take on traditional vows
“When couples make these promises – to love each other through sickness and health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer – [name] has already proven every single one of those things with me. So these aren’t just words; they’re things I’ve already seen to be true.”
Referencing how you met
“If I saw your profile tomorrow, I would swipe right every single time.”
“[Name]’s commitment and steadiness gave me something I didn’t know I needed – the freedom to stop wondering and start living.”
A modern poem for your partner
In [year], over coffee,I saw you, and decided to say hello.I was young and free with nothing to prove –I hoped you’d make the first move.
Grounding your vows in everyday partnership
“I love that with you, life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. Whether we’re planning our future or just deciding what’s for dinner, everything feels easier because it’s with you. I promise to be your partner in all of it – the big moments, the small ones, and everything in between.”
Taking inspiration from contemporary culture
Lines from books, films and TV that resonate with your relationship can make wonderfully personal additions to modern vows. Whether it’s a poem from a favourite novel, a scene from a TV series that feels like yours, or a lyric that always makes you think of your partner, incorporating a meaningful reference can be a lovely touch. See our guide to wedding readings for more ideas.
Tips for Using Wedding Vow Examples
Your wedding is about you, so your vows need to reflect that. Use these examples as a jumping-off point rather than something to copy directly. The best vows are the ones that could only have been written by you, for your partner.
As you write, think about the qualities and quirks that make your partner uniquely them, the moments you’ve shared that no one else would understand, and the promises that feel most meaningful to your relationship. Even if you’re drawing on a quote or a poem, sandwich it with personal detail so it speaks to your story rather than someone else’s.
For more detailed guidance on structure, tone and how to actually put your vows together, read our full guide on how to write wedding vows. You can also explore traditional wedding vows if you’d prefer to stick with time-honoured wording, or take a look at the full wedding ceremony order to understand where your vows will sit on the day.
Ready to keep planning? Keep your wedding planning organised with Bridebook – the free app that helps you manage everything from your first decisions to the big day itself.
Related articles
