how to make vow books

DIY Vow Books for Your Wedding Day

The other day I was perusing the BHLDN website when I saw a pair of cute vow books. Have you heard of these? I didn’t even know these were a thing until I stumbled on them, and let’s just say now I’m super smitten. My husband and I didn’t write our own vows, but having a darling pair of notebooks to write them in might have changed things. So I designed the DIY vow books of my dreams–thick textured cardstock, calligraphy, dreamy ribbon, the works–and thought I would share the template with you for your own wedding.

Read on to learn how to make your own diy vow books.

Now that vow books are officially on my radar I have been seeing them everywhere. And while I love the idea, if I were to get married again I would want them to be a little more, well, personal. More like a keepsake than a notebook. Not only are they perfect for writing your vows in, but they can also be used to collect little snippets from your day. Tuck your favorite photos inside along with a bloom from your bouquet, a swatch of fabric from your dress, a love note from your husband and any other memories you would like to keep for posterity.

Not only are these functional but they’re also darling enough to photograph. I printed mine on linen cardstock (I love this stuff so much I also used it for these rose invitations and these  save the dates ), then stapled the pages together and tied them with a super soft piece of ribbon.

I just love the way the ribbon drapes over the edge of the notebook and flutters when you open it. I can just imagine it catching the light in some couple’s ceremony photos and my heart skips a little beat.

To get them down the aisle, you can always give them to your officiant before the ceremony. Or if your father is walking you do the aisle, ask him to tuck the notebooks in his pocket and pass them to you when it’s time to say your vows. Talk about a sweet photo opp!

How to Make Your Own Vow Books

This tutorial is so easy I didn’t actually include any step-by-step photos. I figured you don’t need to see me cutting and stapling paper together 🙂 But if you have any questions, let me know in the comments and I’d be happy to answer them!

Linen cardstock Free DIY vow book template (for use in MS Word) Plain printer paper (for the inside pages) Scissors Stapler Ribbon

Instructions

1. Download your free vow book template.

2. Open the template in Word and fill in your names and wedding date on the first page of the template. Print page one (the notebook covers) on heavy duty cardstock. Then print the remaining pages on regular white printer paper (these are just plain pages that you can cut to size and hand-write your vows on).

3. Trim out your templates.

4. Place the cover face down on the table, then lay down 2-3 sheets of white paper. Fold down the middle like a book with the white paper on the inside.

5. Place 2 staples along the crease. Tie a ribbon around the spine of the notebook, and if needed, use a dot of glue or double-sided tape to hold in place.

Ta-da! Profess your love for your S.O. in style and cherish these babies for years to come.

The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this website are for educational and informational purposes only. I am only sharing what worked for me, and as such, I cannot guarantee that any products or processes will give you the same results.

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18 Comments

Leave your reply..

I love the ribbon can you tell me what type, color and where you got it from?

Hi Tammie! The ribbon actually came from a shop called Honey Silks and Co ( https://honeysilks-co.myshopify.com/ ). I love it!

xo Stephanie

How wide was this ribbon?

I believe it was 2″ ribbon.

I absolutely love this idea and template. So looking forward to making them for my upcoming wedding

My wedding is in December of this year and you have know idea how much I LOVE these!! I was looking for something ultra cute to place our vows in and this is it for me. I had one question though, if I wanted to type up our vows and place them in the book that way what would be your suggestions on font size and all that great stuff? Or do you think it would just be easier to keep it the way you have here? Also what are the dimensions of the book, L x W x H?

Hi Shadae! The vow booklets are about 3.5″ wide x 5″ tall when folded. And you can easily add text boxes by going to INSERT > TEXT BOX > DRAW TEXT BOX. I would only add text boxes to the right hand side of each page, though, so they will print in order and be easy to assemble 🙂 As for fonts, anything would work but I would probably stick with something easy to read like Times New Roman or Georgia, size 12+ so you can read it through tears and such!

Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions!

I LOVE this vow book so much!! My fiance and I were wondering exactly what paper (Color, weight, and etc.) you used. Also, we were curious how long the ink would last on the front cover. We just want to make sure that it will last for MANY years to come. Thank you!

Hi Victoria! I used standard craft store cardstock to make my examples, but I would recommend the 80# Classic Gray Linen from Paper and More. Because it’s acid free and archival quality, it should last a nice long time.

Your work is lovely! And it’s so generous of you to share your tips and tricks with the world! Love these little vow booklets! May I ask what script font you used here??

Thank you, Emily! You can find the calligraphy font here: https://bit.ly/2RYYP7J

Thank you so much for sharing this! What did you do for the back of the book – Is that cardstock or just plain paper?

The back of the book is cardstock, just like the front. You’re just folding a piece of cardstock in half and stapling down the center so it encloses the pages inside.

Hi – is there any way you can make this so that it has white writing please?

Thanks <3

Hi Ellen. You can change the color of the “his vows” and “her vows” images by clicking on them and going to Format > Shape Fill.

Just want to let you know that thank you for the template. A lot of people are still using it 4 years later. 🙂

Thank you! So happy to hear!!

Hi there, I'm Stephanie and welcome to the Pipkin Paper Co. blog. Here's where our love of wedding stationery and DIYs meet. We'll show you how to plan the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

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How to Make Your Own Wedding Vow Books

If you and your fiance are planning to write your own vows, these keepsake his and her vow books will add the perfect touch to your ceremony. In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make your own wedding vow books using a Cricut Maker. This project utilizes the print then cut feature.

This post includes some affiliate links for your convenience. This means that if you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no added cost to you. For more information check out my  privacy policy and disclosure.

Materials Used in This Project

• 2 sheets of 8.5″ by 11″ kraft cardstock (65 lb)
• 2 sheets of 12″ x 12″ white cardstock (65 lb)
• Wax thread  
• Cricut Maker
• Light grip adhesive cutting mat
• Scoring wheel
• Fine Point Blade

Get Access To Our Free Design File Library

Step 1: open cricut design space and select the vow book template – cover project.

Once you’ve selected the project, press customize. You’ll notice the project includes a cut for the card, three holes for the thread, and a score line. I really like having the Cricut cut the holes for the thread. I’ve seen people use staples or a needle to attach the pages to the cover. For me, the symmetrical circles add a nice, clean touch. 

Next, upload the Her Vows PNG file and save it as a print then cut file. Once you’ve uploaded the file, select the file and insert into your project. Drag the file onto the cover of the vow book. 

This next step is very important when using the print then cut feature. You want to select the rectangle and the image and press flatten. This will ensure that your Cricut Maker knows to print the image but only cut the rectangle. If you skip this step, your Cricut will add an outline to your image and cut the wreath and letters. 

Now press control-a or command-a for a Mac and then select “attach.” Your project is now ready to send to your Cricut. 

For inspiration and support, be sure to join our free Facebook community: Cricut DIY Weddings .

Step 2: Send your project to your printer

After you’ve selected “make it” the next step is to print the file. You’ll need to do this through the Cricut Design Space prompts.

 As you can see, Design Space has added a black rectangle around the design. Don’t worry, this will not show once you’ve completed the project.

Follow the steps to send the file to your printer. Load the kraft cardstock into your printer. Be sure to adjust the printer settings to heavy card stock. Once the file has printed, place the paper onto the light grip cutting mat and follow the steps in Design Space. 

Repeat steps one and two for the second vow book cover.

Step 3: Cut the interior pages

Still using Cricut Design Space, open the Vow Book Template – Interior Pages project. Select customize. This project will use one 12″ by 12″ white card stock paper to cut three interior pages. You’ll need to do this twice to have enough pages for both vow books. 

Make sure to select all and press attach before choosing “make it.”

Follow the directions in Design Space to cut the interior pages.

Step 4: Assemble the wedding vow books

Hooray! Your Cricut has finished the magic, and now it is time for you to assemble the vow books.

Using the score line as your guide, fold the covers and the inside pages. 

Grab three inside pages and align the pre-cut holes. Then do the same for the cover. 

Now, cut about 24 inches of your waxed thread and begin to thread through the holes. I like to start in the middle. Once you’ve completed threading the book, tie a little not and cut off the excess thread. 

Don’t you just love waxed thread? It makes tying the knot so much easier. 

Repeat this process for the second vow book and you are done!

Now you’ve made your own wedding vow books that will serve as a great keepsake. You can even customize the cover and use the same templates to give to your maid of honor and best man for their speech.

How to Make Wedding Vow Books

Learn how to make wedding vow books with a Cricut using out step-by-step tutorial.

• 2 sheets of 8.5" by 11" kraft cardstock (65 lb)
• 2 sheets of 12" x 12" white cardstock (65 lb)

Instructions

Did you make this project?

Tag us with a photo of your creation!

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Make a Vow Book

Last Updated: September 12, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman . Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,551 times.

Getting ready to say your vows? A homemade vow book is an elegant and beautiful way to remember each and every sentiment you want to share with your partner on your special day. This special keepsake is super easy to make from scratch or with a pre-designed template—it all depends on your personal preference. We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know, so you can make a beautiful memento that will last for years to come.

Thing You Should Know

• Pick a style and design for your vow book that best lines up with the aesthetic and vibe of your wedding.
• Download or buy a pre-made vow book template to save yourself some time.
• Print your vow book on cardstock to give it a structured, high-quality touch.
• Make your vow book extra special by filling it with keepsakes from your wedding.

Choose the style and size of your vow book.

• A handwritten, journal-like vow book might be good for a small, rustic wedding, while a monochromatic, minimalistic vow book could be better for a more modern gathering.
• If you’re hosting your wedding in the mountains, you might add an image of the mountains to the front of your vow book.

Download a template to save time.

• Minimalist Template
• Floral Template
• Retro Template
• Mountain Template

Grab several sheets of cardstock to construct your book.

• Feel free to play around with different cardstock colors, too! For a minimalist look, you might choose white- or cream-colored paper for the cover and gray paper for the interior pages. [1] X Research source
• You can always trim your cardstock down to size later if you don’t want your vow book to be a standard 8   1 ⁄ 2 by 14 in (22 by 36 cm) or A4 size. Some people format their vow books to be on the smaller side, like 4 by 5 in (10 by 13 cm).
• You don’t have to use cardstock if you don’t have any on hand—regular printer paper can also work if needed. Lined paper could also be a great option if you plan on handwriting your vows.
• Some DIYers like using a completely different material for their vow book cover, like leather. [2] X Research source

Format the booklet on your computer.

• Microsoft Publisher: Click on the arrow in the lower-right corner of the “Page Setup” box. Then, select “Booklet” from the “Layout type” menu in the dialog box that pops up. [4] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
• Adobe InDesign: Make a book file in InDesign by clicking “Choose File,” “New,” and then “Book.” Type a file name for your vow book, choose a location on your computer to save the file, and hit the “Save” button on your screen. [5] X Research source
• You can also format your booklet in a program like Microsoft Publisher or Adobe InDesign.
• Skip this step if you’re using a template for your vow book.

Type “His Vows” or “Her Vows” on the front cover.

• You can write the titles by hand in calligraphy, too!
• You don’t need to do this if you’re using a template—chances are, the original creator already designed and formatted the front cover.

Type your vows.

• Skip this step if you plan on handwriting your vows later on.

Print out all of your materials.

• Check your printer’s settings or user manual to make sure that it can handle printing out specialty paper. If you aren’t sure, send your vow book to a professional printing company for publication.

Put the pages in order.

• If you’re using a template, make sure to follow the original designer’s instructions when it comes to formatting and ordering the pages.

Fold the pages into a booklet.

• Crease and fold your pages in the correct order so you don’t lose track.

Trim the pages to size.

• A smaller vow book might be trimmed down to be 4 by 5 in (10 by 13 cm) rather than the standard paper size. It all depends on your personal preference!
• If you don’t have a paper cutter, cut each page very carefully with a pair of scissors.
• Skip this step if your printed pages are already the correct size.
• Check your template download for exact measurements.

Bind the book.

• Space the holes about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart.
• Pull a length of embroidery floss through a thread conditioner to wax your own thread. [11] X Research source

Tie a bow around the book.

• This step is completely optional and up to your personal preference. If you aren’t a fan of bows and ribbons, feel free to leave it off!

Stick mementos in the pages of your vow book.

• A plane ticket for your honeymoon
• A snapshot of the wedding party
• A bulletin from a religious ceremony

Use your vow books on your wedding day.

• You can also photograph your vow book and add the picture to your wedding photo collection.
• Feel free to make your vow books after the wedding, too! Type out or write down the vows that you shared on your special day, and then hold onto the books as a sweet memento.

Expert Q&A

• Mark a line along the edge of each page with a ruler. Then, gently tear along each edge to give your vow book a more handmade aesthetic. [14] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can also buy notebook-style vow books with customized covers and blank, lined pages on the inside. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Have a Cricut machine at home? Download a special template like Something Turquoise - Vow Notebook from Cricut Design Space to make your own customized vow book with cardstock and adhesive foil. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You’ll Need

• X-ACTO knife
• Paper cutter
• Binder clips
• Waxed thread
• Sewing needle
• Ribbon (optional)
• Embroidery floss (optional)
• Thread conditioner (optional)

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.stylemepretty.com/2019/01/21/diy-calligraphy-vow-books-with-free-download/
• ↑ https://www.tidewaterandtulle.com/2018/11/how-to-make-your-own-wedding-vow-book.html
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-booklet-or-book-in-word-dfd94694-fa4f-4c71-a1c7-737c31539e4a
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-up-and-print-a-letter-sized-booklet-or-newsletter-c2f408d0-2f04-4d43-84ec-5b305b426aea
• ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/creating-book-files.html
• ↑ https://fonts.google.com/?category=Display,Handwriting
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/favorite-wedding-vows-from-real-weddings
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fznrnJ9ORU8&t=1m11s
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bktbW1KnsPo&t=0m23s
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWHkY5jOoqM&t=0m24s
• ↑ https://www.tinymodernist.com/blogs/news/to-wax-or-not-to-wax-the-basics-of-thread-conditioning
• ↑ https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/what-are-wedding-vows
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-vow-notebooks

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DIY Vow Book

April 4, 2017.

Planning a wedding can be stressful; and amidst the chaos of everything, a nice place to write your vows can be easily forgotten. Whether you are writing your own vows, or having someone else write them, you will want to have a special place to remember the words you pledged on your big day. These fun DIY vow books are a great heirloom to have, and will look amazing in your pictures! You can even grab some wine to make it a crafty date night for you and your groom-to-be. These books only took me about 30 minutes to make and are super easy!

Tools I used:

Moleskine Cahier Journal 

Acrylic Paint

Paint Brush

Embossing Heat Tool

Gold Embossing Powder

VersaMarker Pen

Optional: ribbon

Luckily, I already owned most of the tools that I used, so this turned out to be a pretty cheap project! The only thing I bought were the little journals. They are the perfect size for a vow book (you could easily put them in your pocket!), and you can choose to buy them lined or non-lined depending on what you prefer. I chose lined just because I’m not the best at writing straight on my own.

I didn’t love the color of the original books, so the first thing I did was paint the outside and inside of each book white. Once they were completely dry, I wrote the sayings on the front with the VersaMarker Pen. This pen is clear, so it’s hard to see as you are writing. I would recommend writing with pencil first, then writing over it with the marker to be safe. After writing what I wanted, I poured the gold embossing powder all over the area that I wrote with. I made sure to tap off any excess powder so that it wouldn’t stick. This is also a good time to correct any mistakes you have made.

Once everything looked perfect, I took the heat embosser and let it heat the powder. When you do this, you will want to make sure that you do it in small back-and-forth motions until the powder melts into a shiny golden substance, it’s actually very mesmerizing to watch! Annd that’s it! I know, it’s super simple! Now you won’t have to worry about carrying crumbled piece of notebook paper on your big day. 😉

Enjoy your new vow books!

If you aren’t the crafty type and would rather buy your own vow books, you can find some beautiful, pre-made ones  here ! Either way, don’t forget to give your vow books to your photographer on your wedding day so that they can capture those pretty details!

(Also, be careful if you have puppies-they might just try to chew up your nice silk chiffon ribbon! My puppy, Tito, was being naughty when I was taking these photos!)

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DIY Vow Books

Photo: When He Found Her | Calligraphy: Becca Joas

I have  so much that I absolutely can’t wait to share with you guys about our wedding (spoiler alert: it was  wonderful in every sense of the word). And I promise it’s all coming, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a particularly special DIY that we quickly tackled before our big day.

Have you heard of a vow book? Essentially, it’s simply a little booklet to house your most treasured words long after your wedding day. And, you guys, it has very quickly become one of my favourite details. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve already flipped through this precious little book. It contains some of our most thoughtful memories, and treasured words, and I know it’s one of those things I’m going to savour for the rest of our days. I highly encourage one of your own (even if you’ve already tied the knot!). We’re sharing the steps, including the free printable, so that you can make one of your own below. 

HOW TO MAKE A DIY VOW BOOK

“Our Vows” free template 5×7″ Handmade paper for book cover 5×7″ Gray paper for book interior pages 1/4″ Silk Ribbon (we cut down this silk chiffon ribbon to that width) Scissors Ruler Pencil Bone Folder tool Needle White embroidery thread

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Download the “Our Vows” template from Becca Joas Calligraphy . Print out onto handmade paper. Be sure to set your printer to the size of the handmade paper and the thickest paper setting. It may take a few tries to get your printer to cleanly pick up the paper.

2) Use a ruler to mark 0.25″ on all four sides of the gray interior paper pieces. I used 3 pieces of paper but you can use as few or as many as you like.

3) Place the ruler firmly on the pencil line and gently rip the edge off the paper on all four sides, giving a lovely hand-torn edge to the paper and ensuring the interior page is smaller than the book cover. Repeat for the remaining interior pages.

4) Fold the “Our Vows” cover page in half and use the bone folder to cleanly press the fold. Fold the interior pages in half and cleanly press the folds. Place the interior pages inside the book cover.

5) Thread the needle with the white thread and knot one end of the thread. Open the paper pages to the center page. Press the needle through the paper pages, starting at the bottom of the fold in the innermost page and go all the way through the outside cover.

6) Push the needle back through the pages (from the outside cover in) at around halfway up the spine of the book. Turn the needle around and push it back through (from inside to outer cover). Finally at the top of the book spine push the needle through again (from the outside cover in), knot the thread, and trim any excess thread.

7) Tie 1/4″ thick ribbon around the spine of the book. Knot the ribbon on the outside of the spine and leave two long trailing tails of ribbon. Repeat steps 1-7 for a second book for your spouse-to-be.

8) Write your vows inside the books and exchange at your wedding ceremony.

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DIY Wedding Vow Book

How to Make a Keepsake Wedding Vow Book

IMPORTANT NOTE: For iron-ons, you will cut with the shiny side down, and you must make sure it is a mirror image before you cut. Or it will iron-on backwards on your book! Your software should have the option clearly marked before cutting.

QUICK TIP: To get your leather to fold well, use the iron to also help you create a crease and then set it underneath something super heavy overnight.

QUICK TIP: Use the needle to help get a precise knot by sliding it where you want it to go.

TUTORIAL CREDITS Photography, Tutorial, and Styling: Chelsea LaVere

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Find a local wedding supplier, diy his and her vow books.

Modern Wedding Posted: April 18, 2018

Personal wedding vows spoken from the heart set the tone of the whole celebration. To make the vows even more special, we show how to make your own books to keep as a memento of the da y.

What could be a more perfect memento than the words you spoke to one another?

You will need:

• 2 sheets A4 parchment paper
• 2 sheets of X-Press It Sticky Barc self-adhesive wood sheets
• 2 sheets 120-160gsm cardstock
• Graphic design software (optional)
• Craft knife
•  Hole puncher
•  Ink jet printer

how to create:

1. Create the vows in Microsoft Word. From the menu file, set up your custom page, paper size and margins. The finished size of the notebook shown is 10cm x 14cm which is approximately one quarter of an A4 sheet. The fonts used are Violet and Calibri Light. The cover was created with the aid of graphic design software. If you don’t have such a program, type the wording out in Word and add the heart freehand.

2. Print the inside pages of the notebook and cut into 10cm x 14cm pages.

3. Print the front covers and cut into

10cm x 14cm pages. See image 1.

4. Peel away the adhesive backing and attach to the cardstock. Trim the cardstock to line up with the wood sheet edges. See image 2.

5. With a pencil, mark the placement of the eyelet holes on all the pages. Punch out the holes with a hole puncher and thread them together with some decorative braid or twine. See image 3.

6. Stamp or stick your wedding date on the outside of the back cover.

When you look back on your wedding, what will be cherished most are those all-important wedding vows, so give yourself enough time to write them.

We love to see you putting our DIY ideas into action - tag @modernweddingmagazine in your Instagram posts and #modernweddingmagazine!

For the newest DIY projects and handmade ideas check out our latest magazine  available at select Woolworths, Coles, newsagents and online!

Styling, Photography and Words Gail MacDiarmid

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DIY | Adorable Custom Vow Notebooks

On the heels of ST’s 5 Year Blog-iversary and our HUGE giveaway, I wanted to celebrate two of my favorite brands; Canon and Cricut in today’s DIY tutorial to thank them for being such amazing partners! Did you hear that 5 of our DIY brides will each be winning a Cricut Explore Air and a Canon MG7720… oh and SO much more! The contest ends on Wednesday April 27th – so visit this post to learn how you can enter to win. This project uses both the printer and the cutting machine, which not only makes the crafting process a dream, but it makes your final product look professional and not “crafty”. With our free Cricut Explore files you can type your vows, print them, and quickly cut them out to create your very own, incredibly special DIY Vow Notebooks . Which will look absolutely fabulous up at the alter and in pictures, but will make the most lovely keepsakes that you and your future children will cherish.

I’m crushing HARD on the new adhesive foil from Cricut – it has the most gorgeous shine!

• Cricut Explore Air
• Canon PIXMA MG7720
• Cricut Adhesive Foils or Vinyl
• 2 – Pieces 12″ x 12″ Cardstock
• 2 – Pieces of 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock
• Our free Cricut SVG. files at the end of the post!

How To Use Our SVG File With Cricut Design Space

My designer and I created an awesome, free file for you to use for this project that has 3 parts; the folder, the vow card and the vow lettering. Make sure to download all three at the end of the post and save them to your computer. You’ll be uploading all three to Cricut Design Space and customizing the file from there to turn it into your perfect vow folder! Watch to learn how:

Print + Cut

I realize that the Print & Cut feature from Cricut might be a little intimidating at first, but as soon as you try it and realize how it works – it’s FABULOUS!

So here I’m printing and cutting the vow cards for each little notebook. You will have already personalized this file by adding text and cut out shapes in Design Space. Cricut automatically adds the black registration marks to your printable design and then scans them once you put the file into the machine – that’s how it knows exactly where to cut! It’s seriously amazing. If your vows are long and won’t fit on one card, make two or three.

Cut Each Vow Folder

One for the bride and one for the groom! No hard work here as the Cricut does everything for you. Super easy to personalize to match your event colors or even your favorite colors!

Here I’m using the regular mat with 12 x 12 cardstock. This design will fit on an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock but it will be cutting it close.

Adhesive Foils

The new adhesive foils really make these little notebooks shine! Here I’ve used: Stainless Silver, Stainless Gold, Stainless Copper and Stainless Teal. If your Mr-to-be doesn’t like the shine, you can always use regular, matte vinyl for his folder.

You’ll want to use your Strong Grip mat to properly hold the foil down while it’s cutting and make sure to set your material type to “Custom” and choose “Foil Adhesive Backed” to achieve the ideal cut.

Fold Your Folders

Following the score lines, fold your folder together. Using a bone folder or the Cricut tool pictured, really smooth each fold line as you go.

Adhere The Flaps

I’m using the Glue Dots Stitch Glue Squares to adhere the folder flaps to the backing – which makes the vow card pouch. They’re the perfect size for the side flaps!

If the top of your folder keeps flipping up, set a big book on top of it for a few days and it will behave, lol. The reason I say this is that two of the cardstocks I used wouldn’t lay down even after folding but the others did. So I popped them under a heavy book for a few days and it was all good.

Apply The Adhesive Foil

Normally I would say that with a vinyl or adhesive foil like this, you’d need to use transfer paper to easily and properly transfer the sticker design to it’s final destination. However since we’re applying the sticker to paper, sticky transfer paper will actually rip your vow folder when you try to remove it. So, carefully remove the excess foil, peel up the stickers and place them onto the notebook just like I did here.

Smooth The Design

The adhesive foil has a terrific stick, but you want to make sure it’s fully pressed onto the paper – so smooth it down using a bone folder or this Cricut tool pictured.

Just a little reminder, I’m not providing the “mr + mrs”, “his + hers” and etc. That is an element you will add yourself in Cricut Design Space. It’s easy and I show you how in the video above.

Print Or Write Your Vows

I’m the type A crafter who needs my work to be perfect, so I heavily rely on my printer to fulfill that need. But, if you’d rather hand write your vows, you can still cut these cards out using the Cricut, leaving them blank of course – to add your handwritten promises.

Notebook Ideas For Him

Notebook Ideas For Her

Personalize Yours With Mr + Mrs

Personalize Yours With Bride + Groom

Personalize Yours With His + Hers

Something Blue

My own little vow card was one of my “something turquoise” items for my wedding day… maybe this darling vow notebook could be your something blue – or turquoise!

I personalized this one just for me… with teal foil (of course) and my initials!

As with all our DIY tutorials, if you create one of our projects please send us a picture – We Love Seeing Your Creativity! If you use Instagram or Twitter please use the hashtag #SomethingTurquoiseDIY and it will show up on our Get Social page. Happy Crafting!

DIY Tutorial Credits

Photography + DIY Tutorial: Jen Carreiro of Something Turquoise // SVG File Design: Julia Ensign // Cricut Explore + Stainless Adhesive Foils (in Stainless Gold, Stainless Silver, Stainless Copper and Stainless Teal): courtesy of Cricut // Canon PIXMA MG7720 Wireless Photo All-in-One Printer: courtesy of Canon // Non-stick Scissors: Fiskars // Cardstocks: from Michaels, JoAnn’s and Paper Source // Nail Polish: OPI – Withstands the Test of Thyme

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Find the supplies you’ll need for this project from our affiliate links below:

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28 Wedding Vow Books to Share Your Heartfelt Thoughts

• Naoimh writes articles for The Knot Worldwide, specializing in shoppable roundups from gift guides to wedding fashion
• Before working on editorial content, Naoimh wrote storefront descriptions for some of The Knot Worldwide's many wedding vendors
• Naoimh studied creative writing at the National University of Ireland, Galway

Writing your own wedding vows is a beautiful way of telling your S.O. exactly how you feel—but that can be easier said than done. Facing some serious writer's block? A good vow book may be just what you need to finally get the wheels turning. Not only are these pocket-size journals perfect for hanging onto during the ceremony (don't you always feel less nervous when your hands are doing something?), but they also serve as a special memento for many years to come. And the cherry on top: They look so much better in wedding photos compared to your phone or a crinkled piece of paper.

Not sure where to buy vow books for your wedding? We went ahead and started shopping for you. Our favorite picks range from sophisticated leather-bound pages to romantic velvet covers and personalized vow book options for a range of budgets. Check them out below to find a design that matches your individual style.

In this article:

Couples Vow Books

Leather vow books, custom vow books, velvet vow books, modern vow books.

Create a cohesive look on the wedding day with the help of these matching vow book sets.

The Knot Shop Personalized Vow Pocket Notebook

These lovely pocket journals certainly won't look out of place at the altar. You and your partner can choose between "His" and "Her" vow books with your name and wedding date printed in gold below.

Seniman Calligraphy Linen Vow Books with Gold Foil Press

These hardcover vow books come in gorgeous hues of ocean blue and olive green. If you and your sweetheart can't decide on a color, not to worry! Simply mix and match the two.

Galag Hers and Hers Vow Books

These sweet and simple vow books come in a neutral two-toned color palette to match nearly any theme. The hard covers are both embellished with "her vows" in gold lettering on the front.

Amazon White Vow Books

Looking for classic vow books that don't break the bank? These ivory-colored journals include lined pages and a special introductory page where you can fill in your names and wedding date.

Calligraphy by Michelle T Handmade Vow Books

Your love for each other deserves to be documented somewhere special, and there are plenty of handmade vow books on Etsy perfect for writing your promises in. This elegant set ties everything together with a big, romantic bow. You also have a range of wording options to suit your specific relationship.

Avocado Goods Wedding Vow Books

This thoughtful set of wedding vow books from Amazon also comes with two "Reasons I Want to Marry You" journals. It'll be twice as fun filling them out, and just as heartfelt.

If you prefer a more rugged vibe, you'll love these genuine leather vow books featuring custom embossing and rustic-inspired details.

Ox and Pine Personalized Leather Wedding Vow Book

Your lifelong promises to your partner will feel all the more special between the covers of a luxurious leather vow book. Make it even more personal by adding your name and wedding date.

ROYCE New York Contemporary Leather Journal

This sophisticated journal is an excellent pick for the minimalist newlywed-to-be. Stylishly understated, it's what's on the inside of this sleek leather vow book that counts most. (Hint: Buy it in navy for your something blue on the big day).

Claire Magnolia Leather Vow Book

Choose from an array of colors, designs and binding ties to make this leather vow book totally your own.

Personalization Mall Adventure Awaits Charcoal Writing Journal

You're about to begin one of your life's greatest adventures. Commemorate the moment with a wedding vow book you can keep for years to come. With 80 pages, there's plenty of room to write your vows and start planning your next chapter together.

Cover Cafe Custom Leather Vow Book

Planning an outdoor wedding ? This rugged leather vow book is a fitting tribute to your romantic adventure.

Your wedding day is one of a kind, and so are these personalized vow books. Customize them with your names, wedding date and more for a personal touch.

Modern Album Designs Promises Vow Book

Whether you're renewing your vows or making this commitment to each other for the first time, these personalized booklets invite you and your partner to share heartfelt promises.

Paper Peach Shop Best Day Ever Wedding Vow Books

Etsy is chock full of gorgeous vow books for all kinds of celebrations. If you're planning a spring wedding or summer soiree, we've found your match. Celebrate your "Best Day Ever" in style with this bright and colorful set.

Red Berry Guest Books Wooden Wedding Vow Book

Planning a rustic wedding ? Make sure your vow books fit the bill with these unique wooden booklets. They'll be engraved with your names and wedding date for an extra-special memento.

Artifact Uprising Their Vows Book

This cute pocket-sized vow book is available in multiple different designs that can be customized with your name and wedding date. Experiment with the different colors for the cover and the foil lettering to find a combination that you totally love.

Blush Paper Co. Gold Foil Wedding Vow Books

Add a splash of color to your special day by choosing vow books that stand out. This gorgeous pair comes in a variety of shades to suit your wedding theme.

The Knot Shop "I Do" Vow Pocket Notebook

These minimalist "I do" pocket notebooks are the perfect place to express your innermost feelings for each other. With your names embossed beautifully on the covers, you'll know exactly which one to grab in the hustle and bustle of the big day.

These elegant velvet vow books are the perfect fit for a romantic, luxurious wedding aesthetic.

Anthropologie His and Hers Vow Booklets

This heirloom-worthy set includes two velvet vow books embossed with "her vows" and "his vows." The books are finished with beautiful matching silk ribbons.

Mayflower Workshop Velvet Covered Wedding Vow Booklets

Special occasions like this don't roll around too often. Go all out for your wedding ceremony with a set of decadent velvet vow books. Bonus: They come in a range of colors to suit the theme of your festivities.

Velvet Raptor Vow Book

Is your wedding theme inspired by all things vintage? This stunning vow book is all about antique elegance, featuring an ornate design on the hand-pressed velvet cover.

Styling Archives Velvet Vow Book with Silk Ribbon

Add a little bit of color to your wedding day with one of these velvet vow books. The book is available in nine different earth-toned colors and includes a matching silk ribbon for styling.

In Loft Calligraphy Velvet Suede Hardcover Vow Book

Here's a final option from our list of gorgeous velvet vow books. This timeless ivory book is stamped with gold foil, which you can personalize with a custom name, date or phrase.

Featuring sleek designs and unique (but minimalist) details, these modern vown books are stylish picks if you're looking for options that stand out.

Lit'l Pepper Gourmet Embossed Vow Books

This set of embossed wedding vow books feels stylish and sophisticated. With a neutral color palette and modern design, they work for weddings all year round.

Print Smitten Modern Minimalist Wedding Vow Books

Small initial letters and your wedding date will add a subtle personal touch to these vow books. With 48 different colors to choose from, you've got plenty of options to match any wedding theme or season.

Kate Spade New York Pink Bridal Journal

What better place to write your promises to each other than this journal adorned with a simple "I do" to conclude your vows? This hardcover vow book will keep your thoughts safe until the big day. Even better, the built-in tassel bookmark means you won't lose your place.

Muujee For My Husband Wedding Vow Books

Modern yet sophisticated, these hardcover vow books feature luxe detailing such as gilded-edge pages, a satin ribbon bookmark and embossed gold lettering on the front.

Free People Stars & Moon Collection Cloth Journal

Unique journals make some of the best vow books. This one has a meaningful message on the cover—the perfect inspiration for writing your vows. Whether you're planning a celestial celebration or simply believe it was "written in the stars," this hardcover vow book is a great place to start.

Blush Paper Co. Custom Wedding Vow Books

Personalize these chic notebooks with you and your partner's name along with the wedding date. The books, which are handmade by a small business in Pennsylvania, come in 20 different colors with four metallic lettering options.

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• How to Write Your Own Vows Who Traditionally Goes First? Quotes About Love to Get You Started Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own Modern Vows That Are Unique Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony? The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive

How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows, Including 17 Vow Examples

Craft swoon-worthy vows with this wedding vow advice.

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

PHOTO BY KURT BOOMER PHOTOGRAPHY / Design by Zackary Angeline

In This Article

Thinking about writing your own wedding vows? It's a tremendous undertaking, summing up your love, dreams, and promises to your partner in a few short minutes. Overwhelming as it can be, it's well worth it: It's a chance to tell your story, give guests a peek into what makes your relationship tick, and share meaningful words with the person you love.

It's also intimate. After all, you're really baring your heart to the love of your life, and you're doing so in front of your family and closest friends. If you're up for the challenge, we're here to help along with several experts—author and wedding officiant Monique Honaman ; Alexis Dent, founder of vow- and toast-writing company XO Juliet ; and celebrity officiant JP Reynolds , M.Div.—who offer their own professional insight.

From examples and advice to sources of inspiration , here is everything you need to know to write your own wedding vows.

Meet the Expert

• Monique Honaman is an author and wedding officiant.
• Alexis Dent is the founder of vow- and toast-writing company XO Juliet .
• JP Reynolds , M.Div. is a celebrity officiant.

Wedding Vow Template

While traditional wedding vows are usually very structured, you don’t have to be quite as strict while writing your own. This outline is a great place to help you get started.

Say "I love you."

This seems like a no-brainer, but Honaman says she is shocked at how many couples leave those three little words out of their vows.

Tell your partner you'll be there through thick and thin.

Most wedding vows touch on sticking around through good times and bad. "The reality is all marriages have cycles of peaks and valleys," Honaman says. "It's nice to communicate your intent to get through those valleys together."

Share personal stories.

It's so much more interesting for friends or family to hear about your odd quirks and raw personal moments. “Guests (and your S.O.) want to hear vows that are real," says Dent. "If you've been through bumpy spots, you should express that.”

Actually make promises.

Vows aren't just cute anecdotes—they are a promise and serious commitment that you’re making in front of a whole lot of witnesses. That doesn’t mean they have to be heavy though. “You can vow to not only stick by their side forever but to also be the one to kill spiders whenever they creep their way into your home,” says Dent.

Acknowledge the support you'll need from others.

You've gathered your friends and family to celebrate your wedding, but you'll need them just as much during your marriage. Honaman recommends you acknowledge "the role of family and friends who will help support you when times get tough."

Wedding Vow Tips

Here are our experts' top tips for writing—and delivering—your own wedding vows .

Don't wait until the last minute.

Plan to have your vows written three weeks before your wedding. Trust us: You'll be thankful for the rehearsal when those wedding-day jitters kick in.

Make a list of all your thoughts.

Jot down all the things that come to mind about your spouse or marriage. Revisit these notes later and highlight your favorite items to be the starting points for your vows.

Write up to three drafts.

Take a few days—even a week—to give yourself and your vows some space. Go back and reread them up to three times, but try to stop there. Continuously rewriting has its own challenges.

Don't try to include everything.

It's understandable to want to fit everything you're feeling into your vows—but in reality, you just can't include it all.

Avoid words like "always" and "never."

This kind of absolute language is all but impossible to live up to. It's not always going to be easy, so don't promise perfection.

Embrace sentimentality.

This isn't the time to worry about being corny or cheesy. "If the words are heartfelt, then they're not cheesy," says Reynolds, M.Div . "I've never heard vows that made me roll my eyes."

Go after laughter.

The ability to make your significant other smile and even laugh out loud during your ceremony will serve you well in your marriage.

Get inspired by books, songs, movies, and poems.

If you have a favorite line from a movie or song that expresses your feelings, use it as a starting point. And don't discount children's books or media as they often have a way of communicating deep, complex emotions in simple sentences.

Practice reading out loud.

The only way to make sure everything sounds perfect is to hear it out. “Reading your vows out loud will help you catch spots where the grammar might be iffy or where you’re missing a word as well as figure out if the structure is cohesive,” Dent explains.

Indicate pauses and intonation.

"You’ll want to allow time to laugh or tear up without interrupting your flow," says Dent. "For the best comprehension and emotional reactions, take it slow and focus on breaks, pauses, and intonation.”

Ask a trusted friend to listen.

A close friend who is a great sounding board (and a pro at keeping secrets) is an important ally to have. “They can give you constructive criticism and help you improve your vows to make sure you really get that meaning across,” says Dent.

Make a fresh copy of your vows for the ceremony.

It's important to think about how the vows will look when they come into public view. Rewrite or reprint a fresh copy, or consider reading them from vow books . “Yes, the focus will be on the words themselves, but the aesthetics matter, too,” says Dent.

Keep the vows a secret from your partner until the ceremony.

"Your vows are a gift to one another, so don't share them ahead of time," Reynolds explains. It will make the ceremony all the more impactful and emotional if you're hearing them for the first time.

Answer These Questions to Get Started

A vow exchange should be an even one. Instead of thinking about it as a writing competition, get on the same page about your expectations and come to an agreement about the following.

• How long should the vows be?
• Will you share inside jokes or would you rather keep things more generic?
• Will they lean more humorous or sentimental? Or be a mixture of both?
• Do you want to incorporate elements of traditional or religious vows into your own?

Wedding Vow Examples to Inspire Your Own

Ahead, we provide expert-approved vow examples to get you started on writing your very own.

Traditional

• "Gabriel, you came into my life at exactly the right time: When I wasn't ready, and yet, when I needed your love the most. In the past two years, we've experienced great triumphs and literal disasters together. These trials have pushed the boundaries of what we thought we could endure, and in the end, I feel more strongly connected with you in a resolve to get up and try again. I love you dearly for all that you are. I am amazed by your inquisitive mind and tickled by your sense of humor. I may not want to admit it, but I even love your awful puns.

You have stuck by me through the best and worst and loved all that I am. You help me to be the finest version of me that I can.

As your wife, I promise to love you with the same determination and confidence you've given me. I vow to support you through more ups and downs. I pledge to commit myself to our family and the good I know will grow from it. I promise this all to you until I am no more." —Marissa

• "Never could I've imagined that the best gift of my entire life would come from my 21st birthday party. Not a materialistic item given from one person to another, but a life, a soul, and a connection given to two at the same time. 

There you were, sitting on the floor, just waiting to shake up my life and to light up my whole world.

That's the night we met by nothing but chance of a friend of a friend of a friend inviting you. The night that forever entangled our energies and our atoms. Our paths would have never crossed and I would never have met my soulmate if it weren't for that silly celebration of age."  —Andrew (via  YouTube )

• "Andrew, you are the partner I've always longed for and this day is nothing short of my wildest dreams. 

I remember seeing you for the first time and feeling in my gut you were someone I needed to know. 

I went home after that night and saved every measly penny I made at my retail job for weeks until I could afford to take you out to dinner. Every day feels like I'm remembering who you are instead of getting to know you. Your light is blinding, your laughter is contagious, and your love is otherworldly."  —Caterina (via  YouTube ) 

• "Marissa, I love you with all my heart. I have been thankful for these past two years that you were not the best driver on that fateful day. Stopping in the middle of a busy 90/04 to see if everyone was okay, there I met the woman who is standing before me today. When we started dating, I gained a family, a woman who loves me, and an adorable whippet—both of whom I adore with all my heart. We have survived trials and tribulations, from Hurricane Irma to differing political views, we have pulled through.

We are survivors and with our perseverance and dedication, there is nothing we can't accomplish or overcome.

I promise to take care of you even when you get food poisoning on New Year's Eve. I promise I will unclog the shower even though only one of us has long hair. Marissa, I love you unconditionally and always will." —Gabriel

• "Devin Lee, it is impossible for me to put into words the passionate and infinite embrace you have on my heart. You make me a full person. Committing the rest of my life to you is actually pretty easy because without you I am nothing. As we begin our life together in front of those whom we are closest to, I make the following vows: I vow to wake up every morning and thank God that he gave me you, my perfect woman, and I vow to be your steady rock in turbulent times. I vow to put your needs before my own.

I vow to sell my tacky furniture. I vow to watch reruns of Gilmore Girls and Friends .

I vow to be the man that you inspire me to be and the man that you deserve. Finally, I vow to spend every day I have left on this Earth showering you with a zealous love and a faithful commitment. A love that many waters cannot quench, a love that floods cannot drown." —Jeremy

• "Kristen, as the cliché says, you showed up when I was least expecting you. I intend to love you, hold you, and grow very, very old with you. These are my promises: I promise to always be there when you have troubles, and to know that sometimes simply letting you talk about your problems is enough. I promise to be the most dependable person in your life. I promise you that laughter will always be commonplace in our house. I promise to do my best to age gracefully in body and soul and not to become a cranky old man.

I promise, from this day forward, to live my life as a member of a band and not a solo artist.

I promise to lead and follow accordingly and to keep our relationship in good balance. To quote a favorite writer, 'You fill up all those empty spaces.' For that I am grateful, and every day you will see that appreciation."  —Dennis

• "Dennis, I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together. I promise to encourage your dreams because that is what makes you so unique. I promise to celebrate the joy of every day with you. I promise to stand by your side through life's most joyous moments and challenging ones. I promise to be kind, patient, and forgiving. I promise to always honor your passion for hockey.

I promise to always remember that laughter is life's sweetest creation, and I will never stop laughing with you.

But most of all, I promise to be your true companion always, for one lifetime with you could never be enough." —Kristen

• "Jeremy, I can't say we fell in love at first sight or that I wasn't hesitant to go on a date with a co-worker, but I can say with 100 percent certainty that today, I am marrying my soul mate. A few years back I heard a sermon about love. I learned that, even though I felt ready for the responsibilities of a lasting love, I had to wait. I had to wait for the person God created for me to be ready as well. During our first few months, I learned about your adventures and how you came back home because you were ready—from that moment on I knew my wait was over.

Over the last two years you've shown me what a great love looks like and every morning I wake up and fall more in love with you.

I vow to put us first and make sure we are constantly working to grow together. I vow to love you and honor our commitment when we are near and far from each other. I vow to remember soup is a side—not a meal. I vow to stand by you in life's wonderful moments and when life is difficult. Also, for making me wait so long—I vow to make you wait on me getting ready for the rest of your life. Jeremy, you're the person I waited for and you were worth the wait. Today I become your wife, your other half, and I can't wait for all the blessings we will wait for together." —Devin Lee

• "Katrina, this day has been a long time coming, at least for me. The first time I saw you, I was struck by how beautiful you were. I thought for sure you were out of my league. 

The closer we got and the more I got to know your beautiful soul, the more my feelings grew for you.

I started praying to God every day for His help and for a sign to show me that you were the one. And as it says in Song of Solomon Chapter 3, Verse 4, I have found the one my soul loves." —Gabriel (via YouTube )

• "Gabriel, about ten years ago he walked into a choir practice room that I was in. Plucking very poorly at the piano. You asked me if there was anything you could pray about, I said no but if I would have known you would take the next six years to get the courage to ask me on a date I might have asked you to pray on that. Little did I know that on your own you were praying to God to make me your wife.

When we finally started dating, our relationship was tested in a million ways but we soon found out that with Christ on our side, our hearts desires would come to be.

Gabe, you are the best, good gift God could have sent my way. You are determined and hardworking. You are as patient as you are kind. I love your heart and I love your mind. I love how you love others. You make me feel loved and accepted."  —Karina (via  YouTube ) 

• "Heather, four years ago when I first met you, I never thought that God would lead us to where we are today. You've taught me so much about life. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, next to my salvation. You're smart, beautiful, forgiving, selfless, and determined. 

I will love the person that you become just as much as I love the person that you are today. 

I promise to respect and support you, to be patient and loving towards you, to work by your side to achieve the same things that we value and dream of, and to savor our time together."  —Cody (via  YouTube )

• "Cody, you're the answer to my prayers. You have exceeded every expectation and dream I've ever had. Today, surrounded by people that love us, I vow to walk alongside you for the rest of my days. I promise to support you in all that you do and encourage you every step of the way. 

I will honor you as a spiritual leader of our relationship, and I will follow you as you follow Christ. 

I promise to cover you in prayer, speak words of kindness, and do my very best to be patient. I will choose you and only you from the day forward and I will be faithful to you until God calls us home. This is my promise to you and to God for eternity."  —Heather (via  YouTube ) 

Non-Religious

• "Alicia, it was 2013 but it feels like only yesterday when a beautiful, tall young lady took my breath away. Who would have guessed back then that we would be standing where we are today. 

You swept me off my feet, encouraged me, supported me, and shaped me into the better man who stands before you. 

In a matter of seven years, we have seen the world. Made memories, friendships, and a trusting bond that will last a lifetime. And I can only imagine what we can achieve in the years to come. It's the small things about you that make you shine so brightly. I would say your smile is something I would wake up to a million times. But we both know it's the fuzzy hair, grummy Alicia that truly shines when I'm pulling you out of bed in the morning. I promise to always be there for you. I'll trust you, care for you, but most of all, I will always love you."  —Cam (via  YouTube )

• "Statistics say there is a one in four hundred trillion chance of being born. That means the chance of meeting the perfect woman, wife, and mother is even more slim than that, but somehow I managed to do it. Every time I sat down to write my vows, my hands would cramp. Just to show me how painful love could be. My pencil kept breaking just to show me that love always takes a little more work than you planned. 

I'm far from a love poet but if I was to wake up tomorrow and write about love, I would write about you. 

I do believe in fate and destiny, but also believe the choices we make play a huge role in that. If I had to choose I would choose you in a hundred lifetimes and in 100 worlds I would find you and I would choose you." —Andrew (via  YouTube )

• "Andrew, my best friend, my compass, my husband from this day forward. You were the greatest, most magnificent man I've ever know. I never believed much in destiny or faith until it led me to you. I'd always thought that it would be difficult to find someone who will love me when I'm always scattered in a thousand pieces. Kind of like trying to finish a puzzle when you aren't even sure if you have all the right pieces in front of you. But then you showed me that every piece doesn't have to be perfectly in place to create something beautiful. 

You showed me that love can exist even in the most imperfect people. You've embraced and accepted me and everything that came along with me since day one.

You welcomed Macy and Stella with open arms and loved them just as your own. So today in front of our family and friends I promise you these things. I promise to love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I promise to always try to give you the best of myself and even though I can't promise that our love will be perfect, I can promise you that it will be beautiful whether we're a thousand pieces or just one."  —Kaitlin (via  YouTube )

• "Joshua, as we both know, in the area of marriage, I used to come from doubt. Now I come from hope. I used to come from fear, and now I come from love. 

When perfect love casts out fear, is the day that I said I would stand before you, and today is that day. 

Thank you for the reminder of the Lord's faithfulness to me."  —Bailey (via  YouTube ) 

• "Bailey, when the Lord brought you into my life, He told me I needed to learn three things: the art of patience, how to fight for us, and how to love you when it's hard. All of this time, He's been preparing me to become the husband that you deserve. May the vows we take today echo into eternity, the faithfulness of our Savior, and the strength of His love." —Joshua (via  YouTube )

Making It Your Own

At the end of the day, remember that your vows are your personal promises to your partner. Feel free to get creative and think about the values that you and your partner share. And remember that the words you choose will mean so much to them.

The ideal length for wedding vows is between one and two minutes. Practice reading the vows aloud (we read at a different pace in our heads) to ensure you're within that timeframe.

Depending on the type of nuptial ceremony, you may need to publicly announce a set of vows before the ring exchange . If you wish to save your personal vows for a more intimate setting, you can choose to recite the traditional vows during the ceremony and share your personal vows in private. Some couples also choose to whisper their vows to each other during the ceremony, instead of announcing them to their guests.

The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide

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Quotes About Love to Get You Started

Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own

Modern Vows That Are Unique

Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies

Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony?

The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive

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Hello there!

Within these posts, you'll discover a blend of everything I specialize in, ranging from enchanting engagement and elopement photography to captivating branding sessions. Dive into the world of visual storytelling and let these images inspire your own memorable moments. If you're ready to capture your story, don't hesitate to reach out. Contact me today to schedule your session with Samin Photography!

Your wedding vows are arguably the most meaningful part of your big day, yet many couples wait until the last minute to write their personal vows.

While writing personal vows may seem daunting, there are three simple ways to define what type of vows suit your character and relationship:

1. Are you a romantic at heart? Begin by expressing something you love about your partner or recounting a special moment that illustrates your love. Consider incorporating a poem, haiku, or meaningful anecdote that captures the essence of your relationship.

2. Do you have a sense of humour? Infusing your vows with humor can lighten the mood and make your ceremony memorable. Don’t be afraid to incorporate jokes or humorous anecdotes that reflect your personalities and relationship dynamic.

3. Are you more traditional? Traditional vows carry a timeless romantic sentiment that resonates with many couples. Even if you’re not adhering strictly to tradition, drawing inspiration from classic religious vows can provide a solid foundation for crafting your own. Emphasize your commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, echoing the sentiment of enduring love and support.

Ultimately, your wedding vows should authentically reflect your relationship and the promises you’re making to each other. Whether you opt for romance, humour, tradition, or a blend of all three, the most important thing is that your vows come from the heart.

Wedding Vow Templates

If you’re still stuck trying to think of exactly what to say, here are some different wedding vow examples for you to draw some inspiration from. If you find one you really like, just take it and rework its meaning into your own words. If possible add some personal stories or connections in there too.

Something like this:

 ———-(Name) I feel like the——-  person in the world to be standing here with you. You’re my best friend, confidant, my biggest supporter and my favorite person. You are ——-,———,——  and I am so———  to have met you. From the moment that you came into my life, I———  I can still remember that very first moment that I saw you, ————(How you met)  After you came into my life I felt———  and knowing how———  you make me feel, I can’t imagine my life without you.

I promise to———  you and———  you for all of my days. I promise to be the best————-(Husband/Wife/Partner)  to you and to cherish every moment of ———

I love you with———-  and I can’t wait to————  this new chapter of our lives together.

Romantic Wedding Vows

I (Name) affirm my love to you, (Name) as I invite you to share my life. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you and love you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I take you (Name) to be my lawful (wife/husband), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.

(Name), from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. This is my solemn vow.

(Name), today I take you for my (wife/husband). I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind, and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

(Name), today I take you to be my (husband/wife). Together we will create a home, becoming a part of one another. I vow to help create a life that we can cherish, inspiring your love for me and mine for you. I vow to be honest, caring and truthful, to love you as you are and not as I want you to be, and to grow old by your side as your love and best friend.

Funny Wedding vows

Groom:  I, (Name), choose you, (Name), to be my wife. In front of our friends and family gathered here I promise to love and cherish you throughout the good times and bad times. I promise to try to remember to put put my dirty clothes in the hamper and to replace the toilet paper roll when it’s empty. I promise to remember this day with love and roses. I will love you always.

Bride:  I, (Name), choose you, (Name), to by my husband. In front of our friends and family, I promise to love and cherish you through every obstacle that may come into our path. I promise to learn how to check the oil in my car and how to roll up a garden hose. I will comfort you when your team loses and drink beer with you when they win. I will love you always.

Do you take [name] to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death or zombies do you part?

HER: I promise to leave my apple cores and dirty butter knifes on the counter I promise to overdraft the checking account I promise to complain about the kitty litter I vow to encourage us to try new and strange things I vow to fill your ‘I love you’ Bank every day I vow to never use a recipe when fixing dinner I vow to be the best parts of me that fit perfectly with the best parts of you Although I will be imperfect, I pledge to be sensitive and respectful of your unique talents, abilities and quirks I pledge to lend you strength for all of your dreams Through our union we can accomplish more than I could alone I believe in you

HIM: I promise to forget to stack the dishes on the right and leave stagnant water in the sink I promise to always drive the speed limit, even on the freeway I promise to cuss loudly at video games I vow to snuggle you as often as possible I vow to make you really really laugh out loud I vow to always try one bite of any meal you create I vow to be the best parts of me that fit perfectly with the best parts of you Although I will be imperfect, I pledge to be sensitive and respectful of your unique talents, abilities and quirks I pledge to lend you strength for all of your dreams Through our union we can accomplish more than I could alone I believe in you

Funny Wedding Vows! – Credit to Inspired Bride: http://www.inspiredbride.net/hilarious-wedding-vows

Traditional Wedding vows

“I, _____, take you, _____, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

“In the name of God, I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Presbyterian

“I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband/wife in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

“I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.”

“In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee to be my wife/husband, promising with divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live.”

Unitarian/Universalist

“I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always.”

“I,_____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

Nondenominational

“_____, I now take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live.”

Traditional Wedding Vows! – Credit to https://www.marthastewart.com/traditional-wedding-vows

Writing your own wedding vows is one of the sweetest ways to personalize your big day. But Your wedding vow books will become physical keepsakes that you can cherish for a lifetime. As a photographer I love to photograph vow books. Vow books are one of the most pretty details of your wedding and capturing them alongside your invites give your photo gallery a boost. Whether your style is classic, romantic, rustic, or something in between, the options are endless when it comes to choosing vow books that fit your wedding aesthetic and budget.

You can find the prettiest vow books for your wedding online. I always recommend a local fine art stationer in order to avoid huge shipping fees and also to get them in hand in no time.Taking the time to manually write down your vows in your vow book instead of typing them might seem old-fashioned, but that’s the beauty of tradition. Your wedding vow books will become physical keepsakes that you can store with your wedding photo album, invitations, and other mementos from the day — not to mention that you’ll get a wave of nostalgia whenever you open the books and re-read your vows. So never underestimate the importance of having a pretty set of vow book.

Hope you found this blog helpful 🙂

April 8, 2021

Ultimate guide to writing your wedding vows and choosing vow books.

SAMIN PHOTOGRAPHY IS An international award winning   WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO BASED IN DUBAI AND ITALY

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22 Wedding Vow Books You'll Cherish Forever

Penning your promises into a wedding vow book is a great way to create a keepsake out of these important, meaningful words. After all, there's no better way to bring those wedding memories flooding back than by flipping through your vows a few times every year—a formal vow book makes that possible. Another bonus? A notecard or plain old journal virtually guarantees that your ceremony words will get lost over the years. A vow book, on the other hand, will ensure that the promises you made on that day stay with you for the rest of your married life .

That's why we've rounded up the prettiest wedding vow books on the market right now. It's important to note that these journals aren't just for the final drafts—purchase one of these beauties ahead of time so you can use it to write notes and ideas for your vows in the months leading up tot he wedding (that's a brainstorming process you don't want to forget!).

Though these pretty books will surely inspire you, you're probably also wondering about how to start writing . Set aside some time about a month before the wedding to contemplate spending the rest of your life with your love—and then document what you feel. Ask yourself questions like, "What do I admire about my future partner? How did we fall in love? What do I love most about him or her? What do I hope for our future together?" You can even pull in quotes from literature or scripture to help you express your feelings. Just be sure to jot every fleeting thought down in your vow book. Click through to discover the booklet that'll hold your biggest promises.

Velvet Design

Just when you thought velvet couldn't be any prettier, Velvet Raptor went ahead and added a vintage pattern throughout. The best part? This gorgeous booklet is designed to hold both of your vows together.

Velvet Raptor Vow Book, $75, velvetraptor.com

Leather-Bound

Choose the colorway on the right, and your vow book will pass as your something blue.

Anthropologie "Wilder" Journal, $36, anthropologie.com

The contrast between the moody gray and high-shine gold foil makes this a perfect option for both him and her.

Seniman Calligraphy Gold Foil Wedding Vow Book, $28, etsy.com

Once Upon a Time

Your love story is a fairy tale, so why not pen your storybook ending in a journal that perfect sums it up?

Smythson "Once Upon a Time" Premier Notebook, $110, smythson.com

Looking for a vow book that's as unique as your relationship? Blue Sky Papers offers customers three vow book styles—a traditional book, a holder, and a portfolio—so you can choose exactly how you'd like your heartfelt words displayed. You also have a ton of leeway with color. Choose from pretty shades and materials like sage linen, plum satin, and champagne silk.

Blue Sky Papers Wedding Vow Keepsake Book, from $38, blueskypapers.com

The best part about this multicolored notebook? It's covered with and named after an ever-popular wedding flower—the Juliet garden rose.

Rifle Paper Co. "Juliet Rose" Memoir Notebook, $15, riflepaperco.com

License Plate

You can use this quirky journal to jot down all of your pre-wedding ramblings, from planning anxiety and to-do lists to notes for your planner and hopes and dreams for your future. It's also a perfect place to write the first draft of your wedding vows.

Kate Spade "Bride 2 Be" Notebook, $16, bloomingdales.com

We love this modern marble interpretation of "his" and "hers" vow books.

Paper Bound Love Marble Personalized Vow Books, from $21 for 2, etsy.com

This textured notebook would feel right at home at a bohemian outdoor wedding—which makes sense, considering its creator draws her inspiration from the Pacific landscape, folk art, and antique textiles.

Jess Feury Woven Journal, $28, anthropologie.com

His and Hers

Here's another cool take on "his" and "hers" vow books. While both books are in the same color family, notice how one is (subtly!) more masculine than the other.

Nostalgic Imprints Calligraphy Vow Book, from $22, etsy.com

Getting hitched on the beach? These journals will surely match your palm leaf, monstera, and protea wedding bouquet.

Paper Bound Love Tropical Personalized Vow Books, from $21, etsy.com

Hand-crafted with authentic suede leather and a twine enclosure, these neutral notebooks are as rustic-wedding-ready as it gets.

Leathered with Love Rustic Vow Books, from $40, etsy.com

Red is the classic hue of love, which makes it the ultimate colorway for your vow book.

Custom Crafted Studio Calligraphy Vow Books, $23 for 2, etsy.com

Personalized Leather

Opt for the embossed profile feature for a vow book that is (literally) unlike anyone else's.

Blue Sky Papers Leather Vow Book, $69, blueskypapers.com

Available in pink, white, and blue, these flower-topped books are so romantic. You also have the option of adding your names in gold foil (always a good idea!).

Blush Printables Floral Vow Books, from $25, etsy.com

The gold foil press header on this linen vow bow gives it a distinctly antique quality. Its elongated shape is also noteworthy.

Seniman Calligraphy Linen Wedding Vow Book, $40 for 2, etsy.com

Set your wedding vows in durable maple or cherry wood, and you can virtually guarantee that they'll stay in mint condition for the rest of your married lives.

Red Berry Guest Books Wooden Vow Book, from $25, etsy.com

Eco-friendly conscious brides, this vow book is for you—each one is crafted from recycled card stock and bound with a hand-dyed silk ribbon.

Le Pomme et La Pipe Press Wedding Vow Book with Silk Ribbon, from $10, etsy.com

Deckle-Edge

If you're going for a vintage vibe on the big day, these handmade paper books, complete with scroll-inspired textured edges, are a sound option.

Seniman Calligraphy Letterpress Wedding Vow Booklet, $50, etsy.com

These petite books ribbon enclosure allows you to physically untie your wedding vows when it's time to read them—a beautiful metaphor that signifies the opening of your life as married partners.

Le Pomme et La Pipe Press Wedding Vow Book, from $10, etsy.com

Add both of your names or just your own to this pale pink booklet to transform this important piece of your ceremony into a keepsake.

Catch This Moment Personalized Wedding Vow Books, $43 for 2, etsy.com

Though we'd choose this sage green silk velvet vow book in a heartbeat, it comes in a series of inspired colors, like red wine, peach, and deep sea blue.

Elmo Paper Stories Velvet Vow Book in "Sage Green," $87, elmo-paperstories.com

25 Vow Books That Double as Wedding Day Keepsakes

Sure, you could read your vows from your phone or a random piece of paper, but these vow books are way prettier (and they'll last for decades to come).

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Olivia Richards Photography

Writing your own wedding vows is one of the sweetest ways to personalize your big day. But if there's one thing that can take this sentimental gesture to the next level, it's recording your heartfelt words in special vow books that you and your spouse will treasure for the rest of your lives. Taking the time to manually jot down your vows in a journal (instead of typing them up on a phone or computer, for example) might seem old-fashioned, but that's exactly what we love about this tradition. Your wedding vow books will become physical keepsakes that you can store with your wedding photo album , invitations, and other mementos from the day — not to mention that you'll get a wave of nostalgia whenever you open the books and re-read your vows. Whether your style is classic, romantic, rustic, or something in between, the options are endless when it comes to choosing vow books that fit your wedding aesthetic and budget. 

We've found the prettiest vow books you can buy for your wedding day — see them all right here. 

Channel Old World romance through handmade vow books adorned with delicate gold laurel wreaths and raw silk ribbons. Custom calligraphy on the cover adds an ultra-luxurious element. 

Meilifluouss handmade paper vow books, $14, Etsy

These embossed linen vow books remind us of something you'd find in a historic library — the perfect option for couples who love vintage wedding style . Choose complimentary hues or opt for two in the same color to create a matching set.   

SenimanCalligraphy linen vow books with gold foil press (set of two), $40, Etsy

Nature lovers will appreciate the subtle wildflower pattern on this delicate suede folio, which opens like a folder to store sheets of paper featuring your handwritten vows. 

BarkAndBerry embossed suede folio, from $80, Etsy

If you're incorporating greenery into your wedding decor , consider adding it to your vow books too! A watercolor laurel wreath design is ethereal and boho-chic. 

Akitsuma wedding vow books (set of two), $13, Amazon

A floral pattern inspired by antique oil paintings is oh-so-romantic. These vow books can be customized with your names and wedding date for an extra-personal touch. 

JuniperandWhite personalized floral vow books (set of two), from $24, Etsy

Keep it sweet and simple with two miniature vow books showcasing the most important phrase of your wedding day: "I do."

Wedding Story Writer  mini customized vow booklets (set of two), $100, Wedding Story Writer

These marbled vow books get our vote if you're going for modern, trendy vibes on the big day. 

Calculs marble vow books (set of two), $12, Amazon

Prefer a more minimalistic look? Choose a no-frills style that gets straight to the point with "vows" embossed on the front cover.  

Ling’s Moment navy blue vow book, $8, Amazon

If you're having a celestial wedding theme or incorporating astrology into your big day, check out these vow books adorned with gold crescent moons. The lilac color is also on-trend for 2019 ! 

PrintSmitten moon and star vow books (set of two), $28, Etsy

All-white wedding vow books are incredibly elegant and chic. We love the torn edges of the paper and letterpress detail, which add a bespoke feel to this monochromatic pair. 

Libbytiptonco letterpress wedding vow books (set of two), $32, Etsy

Customize these gray booklets by adding your names and choosing from three metallic letter options. 

ThebridgeandTaylor Moleskine vow books (set of two), from $20, Etsy

Embrace a splash of color by opting for a cherry red vow book. We could totally picture this style at a winter or holiday-themed wedding . 

ClaireMagnolia personalized vow book, from $70, Etsy

Velvet and tassels are always a winning combination, and this blush pink vow book has us swooning. It's classic with a trendy twist. 

LiuMy velour vow book, from $28, Etsy

Bring a playful vibe to your ceremony with metallic rose gold and white booklets. 

Ling’s Moment rose gold foil vow books (set of two), $16, Amazon

Inspired by French antiques, this exquisite vow book is like a miniature work of art. The wax seal, letter-pressed paper, and silk ribbon are the epitome of timeless romance. 

LaPommeEtLaPipePress silk ribbon vow book, from $20, Etsy

Sophisticated and stylish, this coordinating set of vow books is great if you're going for a classic wedding theme . 

David Tutera vow books (set of two), $14, Michaels

This blush and burgundy vow book duo is an ultra-romantic choice for a fall wedding or a vineyard backdrop. 

NostalgicImprints personalized vow book set, from $22, Etsy

A gold botanical motif adds a bit of shimmer to these sleek linen booklets, which are available in five colors as well as same-sex combinations. 

TheLittleTalksPaper linen vow books with gold foil (set of two), $15, Etsy

Keep your vow books sleek and simple with unembellished journals in chic, solid colors. 

WeddingWire Shop vow pocket notebook in charcoal gray, $10, WeddingWire Shop

If you're having a black tie wedding , you'll need fancy vow books to match. We love this upscale duo with silver foil calligraphy. 

BGregory Design custom foil vow books (set of two), from $31, Etsy

Crazy about flowers? This vintage-inspired option would be perfect for a garden wedding theme . 

Lily and Val vow book (set of two), $15, Amazon

These journals come with handy cheat sheets for anyone who's waited until the last minute to write their vows .

Fluytco hers & hers vow books (set of two) $24, Amazon

We're getting major farmhouse chic vibes from these canvas-covered booklets. 

Lillian Rose canvas vow books (set of two), $16, Amazon

An ordinary journal instantly becomes a wedding vow book with the help of stylish hand-lettering. The 128 pages in this one give you plenty of space to write down your thoughts and emotions leading up to the wedding day. 

LeatheredWithLove leather vow book, from $43, Etsy

Choose a pair of wood and twine wedding vow books if you're getting hitched at a rustic venue , like a barn or farm. 

Bestoyard his & hers vow books (set of two), $9, Amazon

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, some of which may be sponsored by paying vendors.

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How to Write Wedding Vows: The Ultimate Guide For Elopement Couples

Writing wedding vows can be intimidating and thrilling at the same time. A lot of couples become overwhelmed thinking about how to write wedding vows. It can be stressful to sit down and attempt to sum up all your love, promises, and dreams to your partner. However, writing your own wedding vows is always worth it and gives your ceremony a personal and meaningful start to your marriage together. Reading and writing vows are some of our favorite elopement moments photographers share with us. If you’re up for the challenge of writing your wedding vows, then get ready to pin this page to make sure you cover everything you need to as you prepare to write your vows.

In This Article:

• Wedding Vows Template
• Tips For Writing Your Wedding Vows
• Brainstorming Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Write

Wedding Vow Examples

Disclaimer: This guide was created specifically for couples who are planning an elopement , intimate wedding, or exchanging their vows in private. While there are many guides out there, our wedding vow guide was created specifically for couples who want to enjoy an intimate elopement ceremony together.

Are you ready to start planning? Explore our elopement packages.

How to Write Your Wedding Vows

Photo by Madeline Barr Photo

Writing your vows doesn’t have to be scary or hard for anyone. We think wedding vows can actually be straightforward! Follow these steps to prepare and create the perfect template for your wedding vows.

Check out this wedding vow template and then learn how to build your template with the steps below:

Introduction: Start with a warm greeting or a special nickname. Express your love and gratitude for your partner’s presence in your life.

Reflection: Share a brief overview of your relationship journey. Mention key moments that have shaped your bond.

Qualities and Appreciation: Highlight specific qualities you love and appreciate in your partner. Recall instances that showcase these qualities.

Promises: Articulate the promises you want to make. Use this section to convey your commitment to love, support, and cherish each other.

Future Together: Envision your future as a couple. Share your hopes and dreams for the life you’ll build together.

Closing: End with a powerful statement of love. Consider adding a quote or a line that encapsulates your feelings.

Now let’s build your wedding vow template with our 5 steps:

Step 1: Reflect on Your Relationship

To get in the mood to write your wedding vows, take a moment to sit down and take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about the special moments that have defined your relationships.

Here are some things to consider as you reflect on your relationship:

• Think about how you both met and how your relationship has evolved since then.
• Think about milestones and challenges you both experienced together.
• What are some of the most meaningful memories you have together that bring you joy?
• Consider the moment you knew that your partner was “the one” for you.

Step 2: Identify Your Promises To Your Partner

Once you reflect on your relationship, you’ll want to think about what promises you want to make during your vows. You can structure your promises however you want, but our best rule of thumb is to reflect on your values and the foundation of your relationship.

Here are some ideas on what type of promises you can focus on during your vows:

• Structure your promises with “I promise to…” until you complete this section.
• Consider any bible verses or any traditions you want to incorporate into your promises together.
• Incorporate words such as commitment, support, and forever… (don’t worry, we’ll share some example structures below).
• Remember, not all promises you make to each other have to be super serious. You can also promise to be the one to kill the roaches or go on ice cream runs.

Step 3: Express Your Love

Once you make promises, take a moment to communicate your love in a way that is personal and meaningful to your relationship. Talk about what specific qualities you love about your partner during this section of your vows, and don’t be afraid to make your partner laugh. Your vows do NOT have to be super serious. Our best advice is to structure your vows according to the type of couple you are.

Here are some ideas:

• Include nicknames you call each other, no need to be super formal.
• Think about the qualities of your partner you really love and honor. You can even touch upon how these qualities have made you a better version of you.
• Incorporate inside jokes only you two know. Couples tend to avoid this during traditional wedding ceremonies, but elopements and micro-weddings allow you to be as personal and intimate as you want.

Step 4: Acknowledge Your Partner

Now it’s time to express your gratitude and appreciation to your partner. Let’s face it, we all aren’t perfect and our significant other sometimes takes a lot of mood swings and overall crankiness. Now is the perfect time to acknowledge how much of a cranky pants you have been sometimes and how understanding and patient they have been.

• Mention a time your partner really helped you out of a hard time. This can be when you are really stressed, depressed, or experiencing any other challenges.
• Talk about how your partner lights up a room or just makes you happier overall.

Step 5: Paint a Future Together

Your wedding day marks the first “official” day of forever for both of you. Take this moment in your vows to envision your future as a couple. You can also talk about your hopes and dreams here.

Here are some ideas to bounce off of:

• Talk about the family you one day hope to have, or what you are looking forward to sharing together. Then, end your vows promising to love your partner “as long as we both shall live”.
• Talk about where you hope you both will be 5,10, even 30 years from now. Hey, this is a great time to build an awesome vow template to look back on during your 10 year vow renewal in the future.

Tips for Writing Your Wedding Vows

Photo by Thien Tong Photography

Now that we have gone over an easy guideline for you to follow, here are 10 tips to think about and inspire you as you start writing your wedding vows.

1. Get Inspired

The best way to write your own wedding vows is to become inspired. Put together a playlist of different romantic songs, read old letters from each other, or look at old photographs. Walking down memory lane could be a useful tool to get in the “mood” and help get the words flowing. Another great way to get inspired is to read poems, and books, or even watch a good romantic movie.

2. Pick Out The Perfect Vow Book

Photos by Sarah Gehman Photography

After featuring hundreds of elopements, we have seen it all when it comes to how couples document their vows. We have seen everything from the traditional vow books to popsicle sticks! Nothing is off-limits and you can write your vows down on your phone, on a bunch of papers, or a custom book.

We personally love vow books from The Keeper Co. This is a fun and interactive approach to your basic vow book. Instead of a bunch of blank pages, The Keeper Co. provides enough space for your vows to your honey, and the remaining pages  have fun, interactive, and romantic prompts that will inspire you to remember why you’re saying “I do.” These books also come in three color options: white, grey, and black.

We love these little vow books so much that we snagged a special deal just for you.

Use code WANDERING for 10% off at The Keeper Co.

Take a look inside The Keeper Co. Vow Books:

The Keeper Co. Vow Books

We also love these vow books from Amazon if you’re looking for another option. If you do end up buying a standard vow book, you can always continue writing your vows for your vow renewal, years later (your welcome for that idea).

3. Make a List of All Your Thoughts

Even if you plan on writing your vows days before or the morning of your wedding day, have a list you can go back to and make sure you have covered all the bases. It’s so easy to forget to write something or skip over it. This list will be a great starting point to help you focus.

4. Don’t Stress

Pro tip: don’t stress trying to cover everything in your wedding vows. While we understand you may want to fit everything you are feeling into your vow book, it’s impossible. You have your whole lives to tell your honey how much you love them.

5. Find a Quiet Place

While many may say to write your vows days before your actual wedding, we actually love it when photographers capture the moment where the bride and groom write down their vows before they get ready during their elopement. This is probably the most ideal time because your heart and mind are completely on your wedding day free from any distractions. With that being said, find someplace quiet and comfortable to write down your wedding vows. You don’t want to lose your train of thought because too many people are around you. 

6. Say, “I Love You”

This may sound shocking, but a lot of couples tend to forget to say these three little words in their vows. Often, they will get so wrapped up in all the other details, they forget to say the words that mean the most. Take a moment, more than once, to remind your partner how much you love him or her.

7. Make Promises You’ll Keep

As you sit down at your quiet spot and write down your vows, think about what’s important to both of you. Think about what goals you both want to accomplish and what promises you want to make. Most wedding vows, touch on sticking around through the good times and the bad. It’s nice to bring up that marriage won’t always be sunshine and rainbows, and how ready and you’re ok with that. Promise to stick by their side, but also promise to put down the toilet seat.

8. Get Personal With It

We touched upon this, but you don’t have to make your vows 100% romantic because no relationship is ever 100% candlelit dinners and roses. Your partner also wants to hear about what makes your relationship authentic. Talk about the late-night binge eating to a whole season on Netflix, or that crazy time you both got stranded exploring somewhere new. Make your vows raw and unapologetically you.

9. If You’re Nervous, Practice!

For some couples, writing their wedding vows isn’t the only stressful thing. Reading out loud could be another aspect that makes you feel jittery. Remember, however, the person you are reading your vows will not judge you. If you find yourself nervous, don’t be afraid to go through a practice run or share some ideas with a close friend or family member.

10. Keep Your Vows a Secret

Think of your wedding vows as a wedding present to each other. While we do suggest talking about the length you both should write for each other (you don’t want to write 2 pages and have your partner write 10!), we think everything else should be kept a secret. This is a great time to show your partner how you see them through your eyes.

Brainstorming Questions to Ask Before You Write Your Vows

Photo by M.N.Y Photography

If you are still struggling to get started, then check out these questions to get your ideas rolling!

• Where did you first meet?
• What did you think when you first saw your partner?
• When did you realize you were in love?
• How has your life changed since you met each other?
• What is something you both love doing together?
• What hard times did you both get through?
• Is there a song or quote that you feel represents your relationship?
• Do you have any inside jokes?

If you’re worried about each other’s vows, then you both should consider answering these questions before you work on your wedding vows:

• How long should our vows be?
• Do you want to personalize it or keep things short and sweet?
• Is it okay to bring up inside jokes and personal moments together? (this question is a good one if you’re planning a small wedding ceremony versus an elopement ).
• Do you want to incorporate any religious passages or traditional elements into our vows?

Now that you have written some notes, here are some epic wedding vow examples from gorgeous elopements around the world. We have presented some excerpts from couples and videos, so you both get a great idea of what an intimate wedding ceremony looks like when you decide to elope together.

These wedding vow examples are in both excerpts and video formats. If you are still stuck on how to incorporate your vows into your wedding ceremony, we suggest teaming up with a Wandering Weddings vendor .

Julia and Joseph’s Elopement at Mt. Baker, Washington

Are you wondering how epic it would be to have your vows recorded by a videographer? Julia and Joseph’s elopement day at Mt. Baker in Washington was captured by True Northwest Weddings .  

Vow Excerpt From Joseph, the Groom

“Standing here on top of this beautiful mountain the day we both have patiently waited for is finally here. You are the most extraordinary person I know. I love your positive care-free attitude towards life and how it infects those around you, especially me. I admire your desire, and commitment, to seeing something through when it peeks your interest. I love you because of the way you care for our son, being so compassionate, and patient…Engaging with him, teaching him how to love, laugh, and have fun. And whether intentional or not, molding him to be exactly like his mom in all the best ways possible…” [Joseph, the groom]

Vow Excerpt From Julia, the Bride

“The love we share is tender and gentle, honest and kind. Your unwavering love is the greatest gift in the world. Thank you for being the person I can always depend on to love and support who I am. You have filled every hole in my heart and then made my soul complete from this day, for the rest of our days I will love you as much as I know how and I will never stop striving to be better for you and for us. I promise to love you so strongly the word doesn’t even begin to do it justice, but I also promise to love you in such a way that you are free. Free to grow, free to change, free to explore who you are as an individual. We have always been and will always be my best friend. Your heart is my home. I choose you over anyone and I always will, forever.” [Julia, the bride]

Loving Mt. Baker? Explore more places to elope in Washington State.

Jennifer and Craig’s Elopement in Sedona, Arizona

Jennifer and Craig eloped in Sedona, Arizona. This elopement was captured by AdventureandVow , and the official was Jen Paul of Life Passages.

Check out the vows from this couple’s elopement ceremony below:

Vows From Craig, the Groom

I, Craig Allen Tingley the II,

take you, Jennifer Elizabeth Sloan

to be my lawfully wedded wife. Before these witnesses,

I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, as I offer myself to you with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, And turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

Vows From Jennifer, The Bride

I, Jennifer Elizabeth Sloan

take you, Craig Allen Tingley the II

to be my lawfully wedded husband. Before these witnesses,

Vows From Craig, the Husband

I, take thee, Jennifer, to be my wedded wife, To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you.

With this ring, I take you as my Wife for as long as we both shall live.

Vows From Jennifer, the Wife

I, take thee, Craig, to be my wedded husband To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my Husband for as long as we both shall live.

Thinking about eloping in Sedona? Check out our Sedona elopement guide.

Jumi and Greg’s Elopement in Crete, Greece

This magical elopement ceremony captured by Cinema  of  Poetry is breathtaking. Jumi and Greg exchanged vows with Crete’s gorgeous landscape as their backdrop.

Vows From Greg, the Groom

“It’s amazing to be back in Crete, 7 years after falling in love with this beautiful island. Little did I know, the beautiful woman I would be marrying today would come into my life, just 3 months later. We met just after Hurricane Sandy hit New York City. Much like Sandy, Jumi, you shook up my world and changed it forever. But unlike Sandy, you changed it for the better. You’ve made me feel emotions I didn’t know I could feel. You pushed me out of my comfort zone. You’ve helped me discover and ignite a deep rooted passion for food and travel. Best of all, this is a passion we share together. You put wind in my sails… We sparked our shared love for food and adventure over that first plate of fried grasshopers! We have traveled over hundreds and thousands of miles to 19 countries together! Even if we just barely made the flight in time for some. We have shared millions of calories together. Jumi, I love you. You make me a better person. I promise to be faithful to you, listen to you more, respect you, appreciate you, and love you.” [Greg, the husband]

Vows From Jumi, the Bride

“You don’t make my heart skip a beat, you keep it beating. You are patient, you are kind, you are soft-spoken, and never easily angered. You are honest and calm, you never hold grudges, and keep no records of wrongdoing. You respect me, you’re loyal to me. Your love never fails. Your love is always faithful. Wherever you go, I go. I vow to put our marriage and the family we are going to build together first. I vow to rejoice in your happiness and comfort you in your sadness. I vow to never get tired of pushing you to reach your dreams and our dreams. I vow that I will always be the woman beside you. I vow to always dream, hope, and preserve with you. I vow and support and challenge you. Most especially, sing to you, dance with you, and grow old with you. You may be a tiny speck of dust in this universe, in this world, but to me… you are my world, my home, and my adventure, all at once. I love you very much. I vow to go to the ends of earth with you. We are a team, today, tomorrow, and always. I’ll be beside you always.” [Jumi, the bride]

Explore more places to elope. 

Claire and Jason’s Elopement at Yosemite National Park

Claire and Jason’s beautiful wedding day at gorgeous Yosemite will inspire you to elope. Just look at that view! This elopement was captured by Nicole Alex Photography . Check out these wedding vow examples from the bride and groom:

Vows From The Groom:

“Every day you try your very hardest to be the best partner, daughter, sister, student, employee, and person all at the same time. I’ve had the special privilege of seeing all of this and admire so many of your qualities. You are amazing. And to this day, boy am I grateful to be the one you have chosen… I look forward to traveling the world with you, starting a family together, growing old in that little house around the corner we love so much.”

Vows From The Bride:

“We could have met each other so many different times before we finally connected. We likely passed each other on the street, in the halls at university but when we finally meant it clearly was meant to be. You are the place I feel safest, you are my greatest adventure and I am so excited to start our lives together.”

Learn to elope or plan a small wedding in Yosemite!

Jordan and Kegan’s Elopement at Rocky Mountain National Park

This romantic elopement at the beautiful Rockies is a great example of intimate wedding vows. This elopement was captured by Backcountry Vows .

Vows from the Groom

“Jordan Lee, it’s true what people say that time flies when you’re having fun. Can you believe it’s almost been 11 years since the day I met you in our 9th-grade Biology class? Little did I know that day would be the beginning of something so wonderful. I can still remember the nerves I felt every time I was with you. You were the gorgeous new girl from Colorado, and now I can call you my little Boulder girl. You are an amazing woman who is strong, who dreams big, and who loves unconditionally. There’s not a day that goes by that I am not blown away by how passionate you are. You give your everything in not only school but our relationship as well. There has not been a single challenge I have had to face without you by my side. You have always been there for me, supporting my every decision, and trusting me even when you were uncertain of what it would bring. There has not been a day that you have let me try less than my best. We have grown so much together and have overcome so many obstacles. I am so excited to keep exploring this life-long adventure with you from weekend trips playing in the mountains to working side-by-side on our careers. You are what fuels me and you are what I love the most.” [The groom]

Vows From the Bride

“Over the years we have built our lives together on a foundation of smiles and laughter, patience and compassion, and most importantly hard work, mutual respect, and trust. These past 11 years have shown me just how lucky I was to have met you 4,000 some days ago. And just how lucky I am to spend the rest of my life with you. From the moment we met, I found a new kind of happiness that I seriously thought only existed in fairy tales.” [The bride]

Learn how to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park!

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15 Wedding Vow Books to Write Down Your Special Words In

Wedding vow books are the perfect buy to make sure your personal wedding words come from the heart, plus they can be kept as a forever keepsake.

There’s all sorts of stationery a wedding may require, from the initial invitations to the place setting cards. But one of the sweetest things you can buy — and perhaps one that’s not the most obvious — is a pair of wedding vow books, so that you and your partner can get down those vows in a special way. 

Wedding vow books are a great buy if you're both looking to write your own vows . Rather than simply noting down everything from initial ideas to the final edit on random pieces of paper, having a book will ensure things are kept neat and tidy, and all in one place. 

They also look lovely, with plenty of chic designs on offer these days, whether you’re having a traditional, rustic, or more casual wedding. And the best bit is that they act as excellent keepsakes for years to come after your big day, which is the ultimate win.

We’ve selected 15 of the loveliest wedding vow books to pick up now in time for your wedding day.

1. Personalised Star Wedding Vow Book — £30, Not On The High Street

Choose from a striking grey or black Moleskine vow book , personalised with your names and this gorgeous design of hands full of stars reaching for each other. 

2. Pair of Bespoke Wedding Vow Books — £35, Eloise Bindery

Available in two sizes, these lovely handmade books are available to personalise in any way you choose. Select the colour of your cover, stitching, inside cover and text, along with of course the names and any additional info. The biggest pull has to be the chic exposed chain stitch on the spine, which looks particularly good in bold shades. 

READ MORE: How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows

3. Calculs Wedding Vow Book His & Her Vows — £6.99, Amazon

With one black and one white, these monochrome books are the epitome of chic. Available in this plain version with gold writing, they also come in marble and rose gold. 

4. Paper Peach Shop Wedding Vow Books — £15.89, Etsy

This duo is perfect for the alternative couple who want something a little bolder and brighter. The lovely floral decoration is fun and cute, while the ‘Best Day Ever’ quote brings its own touch of magic. These can be personalised too for an extra special finish.

5. Velvet Vow Keeper — from £100, Studio Oudizo

Each vow keeper is handbound in silk velvet and finished with a laser-engraved mirrored plaque. You can write your own vows on the blank luxury paper inside or designer Ofe can also calligraphy your vows for you. It's the perfect thing to read your vows from at the altar and then treasure as a keepsake.

6. Amore By Juliana His & Hers Wedding Vows Book — £10.75, The Home Of Gifts

Simple, chic, and classy, these white and rose gold books are great all-rounders. The books contain 20 lined pages, which are on luxury textured grey paper bound.

7. Custom Venue Illustration Vow Books — £79.99, Etsy

Artist Daria does a wide range of vow books  at all price points. If you want to feature your venue on the front of your vow books, she creates t hese wonderful sets with custom venue illustrations and finished with gold paint and soft ribbon. We adore them. 

READ MORE: 17 Templates for How to Word Your Wedding Invites

8. Eliza May Prints His And Her Gold Foil Vow Books, £26 — £26, Not On The High Street

These books come in a range of colours: grey, white, black or blush pink. They contain eight lined pages, and are finished off with a pretty delicate bow, which are wedding-perfect. 

9. Ox And Pine Personalised Leather Wedding Vow Books — £16.20, Etsy

Keep it sophisticated with these grown-up leather books , which are embossed with chosen names and dates for that extra personal feel. 

10. Velvet Wedding Vow Book with Tassel — £28, Etsy

Coming in velvet-suede material, these pretty 'Our Vows' books are available in five different colours: blush pink, lilac, rich burgundy, powder blue and dusty teal. Whatever your colour scheme, there's one that'll match. The vow books are hand finished with matching tassels and the pages are blank inside with just the words 'declaration of love' printed at the top.

11. Ineses Wedding Gallery His Hers Wedding Vow Books — £18.54, Etsy

After something a little rustic and vintage? These lovely books are super different from most options, and the intricate layer of lace adds a touch of texture. Perfect for a wedding in an old barn or cottage. 

12. Key Pen Wedding Vow Book — £28, Etsy

A pair of lovely gold-foiled vow books that comes with rough cut rustic ribbon in your choice of six colours. The selling point for us is the lovely golden key attached to it which is actually a pen so you can write your vows with it and keep it on there as beautiful adornment.

READ MORE: 10 Creative DIY Wedding Invite Ideas

13. Amosfun 2Pcs His and Her Vow Books — £6.59, Amazon

Continuing on with the rustic theme, we love these adorable hand tied books , which are made from wood and fixed with jute twine. They're great value at under £7!

14. Burgundy Calligraphy Wedding Vow Books — £19.99, Etsy

These chic books come in a rich burgundy shade which looks particularly good paired with the gold calligraphy and wax seal. So simple yet so stylish. 

15. His & Hers Personalised Vow Books, £14 — Etsy

The gorgeous hand-dyed silk ribbon (which comes in blush, khaki, and ivory) is the obvious starring element of this design , but the hand-drawn floral design is also a major pull. 

Still looking for stationery inspiration? Here's the 11 biggest wedding stationery trends for 2021 .

Related Hitched articles

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Personalized Wedding Vow Books for Your Ceremony

The vows are one of the most significant moments of a wedding ceremony why not personalize them with some of these beautiful vow books.

One of the main focal points of a wedding is the part right before the first kiss as a married couple… yep, we’re talking about the wedding vows! The vows are one of the most significant moments of a wedding ceremony– where the almost-married couple makes promises to one another for their marriage. If you ask us, the vows are the most meaningful part of the entire wedding day, so it’s a worthy area of the celebration to put forth the extra effort to personalize.

For years couples have chosen to write their own vows , personalizing them to be just for their significant other. These may include funny memories, sweet times, and promises they intend to keep forever. Writing personalized vows is a way to exclaim your love for one another in your own words. When it comes to writing the vows , there are no rules. Whether you choose to write your own vows or stick to a traditional script, it’s special to have a nice-looking booklet to read them from at the altar.

Instead of repeating the traditional vows after the officiant, using a personalized vow book is a sweet detail to include in your wedding ceremony . A vow book is not only a meaningful keepsake, but it can also help to calm your nerves. Having a written copy of your vows allows you to read from a book without needing to memorize your entire speech!

Custom Wedding Ceremony Vow Books

Below are a selection of different styles of vow books to personalize, making the moment of becoming a married couple uniquely yours!

Foil Pressed Vow Booklets

Set of two notebooks, personalizing the foil and ribbon color. These sentimental Etsy vow books are a sweet moment to hold on to forever with your future spouse.

Zazzle • $27.16

A book to share, one bound together by love. The lined paper inside comes in six colors and custom lettering.

Heirloom Quality Wedding Vow Books

Celebrate your vows with heirloom-quality vow journals, a beautiful testament to your love.

Leather Vow Books

Ox&Pine • $25

Lettering stamped into leather-bound books. Lined or unlined, Ox&Pine gives availability for many customizations.

His and Her Vow Books

Amazon • $6.59

With fast delivery, amazon is perfect for personalized books at an inexpensive price. Each modern book has lined pages.

Custom Vow Books for Wedding

ArtifactUprising • $17

Available in any color and font, the choice is possible to make the custom booklets completely yours!

Hard Cover Vow Book

Etsy • $39.99

Hardcover books are durable and can stay intact for a longer period of time! Coming in a set of two, personalizing any way you want for the name and date!

Cardstock His and Hers Vow Books

Amazon • $35

“Happily Ever After” is written on each book, with customized names and dates at the bottom. Simple and chic for a rustic vibe!

Personalized Vow Books

Foil-printed and classy books with a beautiful floral design. Choose from sixteen book colors and three foil colors for your dream vow books!

Modern Vow Books

Etsy • $34.50

Classy and modern books to hold on to years after the wedding. Coming in a set of two, thin booklets are very customizable!

No matter if you choose to read your vows from a vow book or a piece of paper from your pocket, don’t forget that it’s the meaning behind them that makes your vows truly special !

Vow books are optional and up to the couple if they choose to add more personalization to their wedding.

We hope this roundup of wedding ceremony vow booklets can help inspire your choices!

Join our community to talk about wedding ceremonies, personalization, and more!

Related tags:

• ceremony details
• wedding vows

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Here's how to set your reading goals and read more books in 2024

Mansee Khurana

Even if you're someone who reads regularly, it can be hard to keep up your reading goals. Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Even if you're someone who reads regularly, it can be hard to keep up your reading goals.

Trying to read more can be a hard habit to stick to – even if you're someone who regularly reads a lot.

Just ask Nadia Odunayo, the founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, a book recommendation website with over a million users. Odunayo said that when she started The Storygraph in 2019, reading more felt like an essential goal.

"It felt like it very much became part of my identity as a reader, " Odunayo told Morning Edition . "Like, I run a books company, I need to make sure I'm reading."

In a few years, Odunayo went from reading 13 books a year to well over 70.

While she feels like that's a realistic goal for her, it's not an achievable goal for everybody.

Odunayo says setting realistic expectations about how many books you want to read can be the key to success. But making sure you pick the right a mount of books to read in a year can be tricky.

"It was a combination of making the time, but also being excited about a lot more books, " Odunayo said.

Why it's OK to judge a book by its cover (and more tips on how to find a great read)

A Economist/YouGov poll found that 46% of Americans finished zero books last year and 5% read just one last year. Out of the 1,500 American's surveyed in the poll, only 21% read more than ten books.

With March being National Reading Month – it is a good time to think about revisit your reading goals from the beginning of the year. Whether you've just gotten into reading, or you're churning through multiple books a week, here's some tips to keep in mind as you're setting your reading goals.

Expand your reading horizons by thinking about what types of books you're reading. Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Expand your reading horizons by thinking about what types of books you're reading.

Think genres, not numbers

Reading goals don't always have to be numerical. Goals such as wanting to read books from more diverse authors or reading more of a specific genre can be better than just focusing on a number. Brea Grant, one of the hosts of the podcast Reading Glasses , says she realized she didn't want to set a number goal when she found herself reading books she didn't like, or finishing books just for the sake of hitting a number.

"That's not fun because that's going to eventually turn you off from reading," Grant said.

Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2023 reads recommended by NPR

Sites like The StoryGraph features reading challenges that users can participate in to expand their reading habits. One challenge recommends books from 10 different countries for users who want to read from more diverse authors.

You can also create your own goals. If you're an avid fantasy romance reader, for example, you may want to see how many science fiction books you can incorporate into your reading habit.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as reading books on a topic you're interested in. Grant, a filmmaker, decided that this year that she wanted to read more books about filmmaking.

"I didn't go to film school, and I realized that I haven't even read that many books about filmmaking, even though I've been a filmmaker for so many years," Grant said. "So I think that focusing on reading more books about my craft is a better goal than a specific number of books."

Reading might seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be! Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Reading might seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be!

Find more ways to make reading a community affair

Reading can often seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be.

Check your local area for book clubs and reading-related events. Or find someone to talk to about books – and you don't even have to ask about what they are currently reading. You can ask them about their favorite book, or the book that impacted their life the most.

"That's another way that people can show that they're bookish without necessarily being like 'I read 400 books this year'," Mallory O' Meara, who hosts the Reading Glasses podcast with Grant, said.

If you'd rather get lost in a book alone, O'Meara says you might enjoy finding new spots to read in your city. It might feel intimidating going into a coffee shop or bar alone, but it can be a fun way to explore your neighborhood while doing something you love.

How to start a book club: Tips and reading suggestions

"We really encourage people to make it an activity," Grant said. "Get a cozy blanket, get a cup of tea, something that you look forward to at the end of the day."

Whatever you prefer, Grant says it's always important to remember why you want to read more, and not get too caught up in feeling like you have to read a certain number of books.

"Reading is a hobby, and you want to get the maximum enjoyment out of it," Grant said.

Don't be afraid to adjust your goal

At the beginning of the year, it's easy to set high expectations of yourselves. You think you can workout everyday, or read a book every week. But as the year goes on, you might want to adjust that number to a goal you know you can reach.

"There's a lot of things we won't achieve in life," Grant said. "Make reading something you know you can get done."

Finding that perfect number can be hard.You want something that challenges you, but doesn't feel unrealistic. Additionally, life can get in the way. These challenges could include large work projects or family obligations that you didn't anticipate at the beginning of the year.

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Suzanne Skyvara, who leads marketing at Goodreads, a book recommendation site where over six million users participate in its annual reading challenge, recommends adjusting your number later in the year if you need, and encourages not to think of changing your goal as "failing."

"If you're finding that you've set the goal too high in the middle of the year and it's becoming demotivating you can bring it down, which re-energizes me and gets me back on track," Skyvara said.

After all, reading should be a hobby, not homework.

"The goal should always be to enjoy your reading life more," O' Meara said. "To read more books that you either love or teach you something or you connect with in some way."

Correction March 28, 2024

This article was updated to fix the amount of Goodreads users particpating in the the site's annual reading challenge.

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HP PCs - How to reset your computer to factory settings (Windows 11, 10)

Resetting your computer to factory settings might be necessary if the operating system is damaged, the hard drive is corrupted, the computer is infected by a virus, or you are transferring ownership of the computer. HP System Recovery removes all hard drive data and reinstalls the original operating system.

HP Cloud Recovery is available for HP PCs manufactured in 2016 and later. HP Cloud Recovery allows you to download recovery software to a USB flash drive. If your computer is not supported by HP Cloud Recovery, go to HP PCs - Reset the computer for more information.

Preparing for system recovery in Windows

Before performing a system recovery, review the topics that might prevent the need to run a recovery or might help to ensure a successful recovery.

Correct startup or boot issues

Many startup or boot issues are caused by minor problems that are easily corrected. Before recovering your computer, try to determine if other, non-destructive, corrective actions will fix the problem.

For more information, see HP PCs - Computer does not boot or start .

Back up important files

HP recommends that you back up your files on an external drive or CD/DVD on a regular basis. Scheduled backups can help you recover some, if not all, of your information in the event that something happens to the original files on your computer.

Factory resetting your computer destroys all the files on the hard drive . If you did not back up your files before running a factory reset, the computer might display a prompt to make a backup copy of your files before the reset performs any action that erases or deletes files.

For more information on backing up your important files, see HP PCs - Back up your files (Windows 11, 10) .

Complete a Microsoft System Restore

If your computer develops a problem, perform a Microsoft System Restore before performing a system restore.

The Microsoft System Restore function returns the computer to a restore point, which resets all of the settings for the operating system to those settings that existed at the time the restore point was created. No personal data files, such as email, documents, or pictures are lost. For more information on Microsoft System Restore, see HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore .

Know which type of recovery to perform

There are several different types of recovery. See the following tables for more information on recovery options.

Perform a system recovery in Windows

Identify the correct recovery tool for your computer and find step-by-step instructions for performing a recovery or reset.

Select a recovery process for Windows

Use one of the following links based on the type of recovery or reset that you want to perform:

Solve common Windows recovery issues

The most common cause of recovery issues is interruption of the process or turning off the computer before the recovery and setup is complete.

For more information, see HP PCs - Reset the computer .

Update your computer after system recovery

After performing a system recovery, HP recommends installing updates through Windows Update.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > How to use AI to create more realistic book characters

How to use AI to create more realistic book characters

Narratives and stories truly shine when their characters possess multidimensionality, understandable motivations, and an essence of authenticity. Crafting characters that resonate deeply with your audience, however, can be a challenging endeavor. With the assistance of AI, you can flesh out your protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters alike.

Why are realistic characters important in literature?

In literature, a story’s plot revolves around personalities, motivations, decisions, and conflicts experienced by its characters. Without well-crafted characters to impact the narrative, most stories would falter. Consequently, it’s important for your characters to feel realistic, authentic, enabling the audience to forge connections with them on a deeper level. Understanding their emotions, choices, and interactions that propel the plot forward is paramount.

Crafting nuanced, realistic characters, however, can pose a considerable challenge. Fortunately, AI can play a pivotal role in this process, assisting in ensuring that your narrative resonates authentically with your audience.

How to create realistic characters leveraging AI

AI boasts a multitude of capabilities that can help you create and refine characters in your story. Here’s how AI can assist in crafting compelling characters:

Develop backstories

Characters should possess depth and history akin to real individuals. AI algorithms have the capacity to analyze vast amounts of data and generate detailed backstories for your characters, drawing from historical, psychological, and cultural factors. By comprehending your characters’ past experiences and motivations, you can craft narratives that are more compelling and authentic

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Define motivations

Motivations are pivotal in driving characters’ decisions and actions, instigating conflict and propelling the narrative forward. AI can aid in determining character traits and behaviors, thereby assisting you in creating motivations that drive your characters’ actions and decisions.

Incorporate flaws and strengths

AI can assist in creating characters with a balance of flaws and strengths. By analyzing character traits and personality profiles, AI algorithms can suggest realistic weaknesses and strengths, adding depth and complexity to your characters.

Outline character arcs

Well-crafted novel outlines , especially for character arcs, showcase how your character develops, identifies key plot points, and detail how your character’s journey unfolds. Whether you have an idea fleshed out or not, AI can simplify the process, drawing from existing narrative structures and storytelling patterns. That way, you can ensure your character arc is logical, real, and effectively contributes to your story.

Generate images

Characters should have a distinct and well-defined physical design, helping your readers to imagine them in the narrative. AI can assist in generating images based on your specifications, facilitating the effective description and portrayal of your characters’ appearances.

Create dialogue

In addition to aiding in character development, AI can also assist in crafting authentic dialogue and interactions. By inputting information about your characters—such as their origin and personality—Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms can analyze language patterns and generate dialogue that aligns with your characters. This can alleviate the arduous process of crafting dialogue, ensuring that your characters’ interactions feel genuine and your story maintains a sense of realism.

AI can assist your character generation by establishing flaws, strengths, character appearance, realistic dialogue, and other essential components. With AI-powered assistance, well-developed characters are within your reach, enabling you to elevate your story to new heights. For additional assistance with creating your book , learn more writing tips .

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An all-American Bible — with a cut of the sales going to Trump

Donald trump finds votes and profits at the intersection of politics and religion.

Donald Trump is not a particularly religious person, if he is one at all. Even Americans who view him favorably are a lot more likely to say he’s “not religious” than “very religious.” He goes to churches for political rallies far more often than he goes for services. He says the Bible is his favorite book, though he generally qualifies that by noting that he’s also a big fan of “The Art of the Deal.”

Makes sense that he’d like his own book, given how much money he’s made off it over the years. On Tuesday, though, he announced a promotion that might endear him even further to the central Christian text: a “God Bless the USA” Bible, some of the proceeds of which will flow back to him.

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Trump announced the book on his social media platform, Truth Social — itself a particularly lucrative venture at the moment, given that its just-listed stock price has jumped nearly 50 percent .

“Happy Holy Week!” Trump’s post said. “Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.” He tagged musician Lee Greenwood in the post because the “God Bless the USA” singer is also touted as an endorser on the product’s webpage .

The promoted Bible has not only the standard books, but also a few additions including the Constitution (“which I’m fighting for every single day very hard,” Trump says in a video attached to the post), the Pledge of Allegiance and, as the webpage touts, the “[h]andwritten chorus to ‘God Bless The USA’ by Lee Greenwood.” It was originally slated for release in 2021, but an outcry from a number of prominent Christians derailed the rollout.

That was then. The current website for the book includes an FAQ that addresses the question of how the former president benefits from the partnership. It assures visitors that no money from the sale of the Bibles will go to Trump’s political campaign. Instead, “ GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”

CIC Ventures, though, is a conduit to Trump — personally, if not politically. In his financial disclosure released last year, he’s identified as the company’s “manager, president, secretary and treasurer” and the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust is identified as a 100 percent owner of the business. The same entity also receives royalties from his book “A MAGA Journey” and speaking engagements. A person familiar with the agreement confirmed to the New York Times that Trump earns royalties from purchases.

In retrospect, we might have predicted this particular business venture.

First, Trump has increasingly branched out on his endorsement gigs, slapping his name or likeness on sneakers and NFTs in addition to campaign merchandise. He is in a cash crunch — personally and politically — and has been unafraid throughout his career to put the Trump name on anything that might yield a stream of revenue.

But, second, Trump has mined right-wing religiosity consistently for political support and political contributions. Why not branch out into private-sector benefits?

“That’s why our country is going haywire: We’ve lost religion in our country,” Trump says in the video hyping his new partnership. “All Americans need a Bible in their home and I have many. It’s my favorite book.” At another point, he insists that Christians are “under siege” and that “we have to protect anything that is pro-God.”

This is familiar rhetoric. In each of his presidential campaigns , he’s presented similar warnings and promises: Christianity is under threat, and he will be its relentless defender. He’s been effective at building fervent support among White evangelical Protestants, thanks to his insistent efforts to deliver on their political desires. He has been as effective at leveraging the insecurities of evangelical Christians as he has of White conservatives overall.

That this was perhaps predictable doesn’t make it less cynical. The pairing of foundational documents like the Constitution with the Bible has appeal to the conservative Christians Trump embraces but would unquestionably be viewed skeptically by the Constitution’s writers. And, again, even his supporters understand that he’s not really religious. If religion is as essential to America as he claims, why doesn’t that apply to him and his family? (In 2015, his putative church released a statement noting that he wasn’t an “active member.”)

More to the point, why is he plugging this Bible now? The answers are obvious: now because he needs money and this Bible because he benefits financially to some extent.

Perhaps you think I am also being cynical. After all, Trump offers that he’s pitching the book now because Easter is Sunday. Perhaps he simply wants Americans to have a Bible in-hand on the most sacred of Christian holidays.

We turn again to that FAQ.

“The God Bless The USA Bible is printed in limited-edition quantities,” it reads. “Most orders ship within 4-6 weeks of the time ordered. Your order will ship as it becomes available, and we will make reasonable efforts to ship your order as quickly as possible.”

You pay the cost of the Bible, shipping and taxes up front, of course. First things first.

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Biden Vows Federal Help After Bridge Collapse in Baltimore

President Biden, who said the federal government would “pay the entire cost of reconstructing” the collapsed bridge, will have another high-profile opportunity to respond to a major civic calamity.

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By Reid J. Epstein

Reporting from Washington

• March 26, 2024

President Biden said on Tuesday that the federal government would “pay the entire cost of reconstructing” the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, adding that he hoped it would be rebuilt and reopened “as soon as humanly possible.”

Mr. Biden’s midday remarks from the White House came as he sought to demonstrate a robust federal government response to the bridge disaster, the second on a major interstate highway in the nation’s Northeast Corridor in 10 months.

The president’s optimism about rebuilding Baltimore’s bridge follows the successful effort last summer to put back together an Interstate 95 overpass in Philadelphia that collapsed after a fire .

Mr. Biden visited six days later and stood alongside Pennsylvania’s governor for an announcement that the overpass would be repaired and reopened within two weeks. Baltimore’s bridge collapse is a far larger infrastructure project that is all but certain to take much longer to repair. Mr. Biden said at the White House that he expected to visit “as soon as I can.” No trip has yet been arranged, officials said.

Maryland isn’t a presidential battleground, but like Pennsylvania, it does have a Democratic governor who is a key Biden ally with significant political ambitions of his own and a Senate race that will help determine which party controls the chamber next year.

Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland declared a state of emergency. Mr. Biden said he and the governor had spoken Tuesday morning.

It will take time to determine the political fallout from the Baltimore bridge collapse. The human toll of the collapse remains undetermined, though emergency responders were searching for six construction workers. And if Baltimore’s port is closed for a significant period, it would enact a severe and extended economic toll on the region.

So far Maryland officials have not sought to cast blame or seek a partisan advantage. Former Gov. Larry Hogan, a centrist Republican who is running for the Senate, wrote on social media that he was praying for those still missing. The two Democrats in a primary to face Mr. Hogan, Representative David Trone and Angela Alsobrooks , the Prince George’s County executive, released similar statements of grief and shock.

When the Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia reopened 15 days after it collapsed , Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania declared it a feat of government competence and has since incorporated it into his talking points for why Mr. Biden deserves a second term.

Now Mr. Biden, who is scheduled to travel to North Carolina on Tuesday, has another high-profile opportunity to demonstrate how his administration responds to a major civic calamity.

Reid J. Epstein covers campaigns and elections from Washington. Before joining The Times in 2019, he worked at The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Newsday and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Reid J. Epstein

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Maryland governor vows to deploy all resources as search continues for six missing people after Baltimore bridge collapse – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. For the latest on the Baltimore bridge collapse, read our full report:

• At least six missing as Biden laments ‘terrible accident’
• Have you been affected by the Baltimore bridge collapse?
• 4d ago Evening summary
• 4d ago Wes Moore: no update on search and rescue efforts, vows to deploy all resources
• 4d ago Men missing are 'hard-working, humble', says man who reportedly knows them
• 4d ago NTSB will investigate bridge collapse
• 4d ago Bridge height is 'potentially lethal problem' among other concerns, says doctor
• 4d ago Transportation secretary to travel to Baltimore
• 4d ago Biden: search and rescue is 'top priority'
• 4d ago Biden calls bridge collapse a 'terrible accident'
• 4d ago Biden to make speech after Key Bridge collapse
• 4d ago Crew issued mayday request after ship lost power, governor says
• 4d ago Six people still unaccounted for after bridge collapse, officials say
• 4d ago Homeland security secretary says collision doesn't appear intentional act
• 4d ago Summary
• 4d ago Search and rescue efforts continue in Baltimore, after two people rescued
• 4d ago Vessel which collided with bridge chartered by Maersk, company says
• 4d ago Maryland governor declares state of emergency
• 4d ago Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: vehicles fall into water after being hit by ship
• 4d ago Moment bridge collapses in Baltimore after cargo ship collision – video
• 4d ago At least seven people in need of rescue in river after bridge collapse
• 4d ago 'Efforts are underway,' Baltimore mayor says
• 4d ago Baltimore bridge collapses

The same vessel that hit the Baltimore Key Bridge on Tuesday, destroying it and sending people and vehicles tumbling into the water, was involved in a collision while leaving the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.

According to Vessel Finder the weather was fine at the time, and the incident was reportedly blamed on the ship’s master and pilot onboard.

Our video team have this video report:

In the immediate aftermath of the bridge collapse, far-right influencers have already begun questioning whether the accident was intentional or part of a nefarious plot.

Authorities so far have said the crash appears to be an accident – the FBI has said there is “no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time” while the homeland security secretary said “there are no indications this was an intentional act.” A report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the ship was in contact with transportation authorities before the collision because it had “lost propulsion.”

The theories spreading so far aren’t unified under a particular narrative, but more fall into “just asking questions” speculation territory. Mike Flynn, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump and frequent sharer of conspiracy theories, posted on X along these lines, calling the collision a “BLACK SWAN event,” a type of unforeseeable event that causes major upheaval. Lara Logan, the media personality who often spreads these kinds of rumors, made claims of a cyber attack without evidence, saying on X that “they are going to have a hard time selling this one as an accident to those who know how these things are done.”

The move into speculation and rumors right after a tragedy is now a hallmark of the internet, where this quick misinformation rockets around online well before investigations into the facts have time to catch up. It becomes especially acute during election years, when unrelated events get tied up into political and electoral narratives.

Former US Rep. Denver Riggleman summarized the spread of these rumors on X: “Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.—Tragic. Accident. Sad. Now, let’s endure the inevitable fever-dream conspiracy theories & speculative shite pushed by the ‘Ball of string & whiteboard’ crowd. Lots of QAnon’ers and alien abduction folks firing up the forums.”

Biden to make speech after Key Bridge collapse

Joe Biden is expected to give remarks on the Key Bridge collapse later today , NBC News reported.

Biden was briefed on the collapse early Tuesday, according to a statement from the White House.

“The president has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and the ongoing search and rescue efforts. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day,” the statement read.

Here are some images showing the aftermath of the Key Bridge collapse that happened early Tuesday.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was up to code before the bridge collapse, Moore added.

Moore confirmed that the bridge was “fully up to code” prior to Tuesday’s accident. Moore added that rebuilding the bridge will be a long-term effort.

Reuters has corrected an earlier report that one person has died in the hospital following the Key Bridge collapse.

Reuters previously reported that a person died following the accident.

That claim has since been corrected. One person is currently in the hospital.

Another person who was rescued is not in the hospital, according to Maryland Transportation Secretary, Reuters reported.

Crew issued mayday request after ship lost power, governor says

Maryland governor Wes Moore added that the ship had lost power around the time when the cargo ship hit the Key Bridge.

The ship’s crew issued a “mayday” request. Moore said that officials were able to slow the flow of traffic, preventing more vehicles from falling into the water.

“These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” Moore said.

Six people still unaccounted for after bridge collapse, officials say

Six people are still unaccounted for following the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse.

Eight people reportedly fell into the water, officials say. All eight were construction workers who were assisting with a project. One person was taken to an area hospital.

A press conference is now underway following the Key Bridge collapse.

Maryland governor Wes Moore gave remarks early in the conference.

Moore said that response teams are still working to rescue people who may have fallen into the water after the bridge collapse.

He added that the preliminary investigation suggests that the bridge collision was an accident.

“In the face of heart break, we come together. We embrace one another and we come back stronger. That’s what we’ve always done…and that’s what we’re going to get done together. And we’re going to pray for Baltimore ,” Moore said.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Brandon M Scott, the mayor of Baltimore , has declared a local state of emergency following the Key Bridge collapse, according to a statement on social media.

In a post to X, Scott said he is “officially declaring a local state of emergency in response to the collapse of our Key Bridge.”

“Our teams are mobilizing resources and working swiftly to address this crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of our community,” Scott added.

Here is the full declaration:

Baltimore, I am officially declaring a local state of emergency in response to the collapse of our Key Bridge. Our teams are mobilizing resources and working swiftly to address this crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of our community. pic.twitter.com/x6euk2SocZ — Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) March 26, 2024

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