Wedding vow & reading resources
A little inspiration
for your “I do.”
Start with an idea, then put it in your own words.
Jon’s ceremony resources.
Couples receive more than a script. Jon shares a thoughtfully selected range of vows, readings, traditions, and creative ideas to help make the ceremony personal. These public examples are a starting point; ask about his additional planning resources.
Writing your own vows.
Think about three things: what you love about your partner, what your relationship has taught you, and what you want to promise. A specific memory can say more than a string of grand statements.
Agree on an approximate length and tone with each other. You can keep the exact words a surprise while making sure the vows feel balanced. Read them aloud before the wedding and bring an easy-to-read copy.
A short, original reading.
“A shared life is made in the everyday: in the question asked with kindness, the story listened to, the hand reached for. Love grows as two people keep making room for one another, and keep choosing a future together.”
Ask a friend or family member to read words that feel meaningful to you. For a poem, song, or published passage, discuss the source and appropriate use with Jon.
Traditions with a purpose.
A unity candle, sand blending, handfasting, or a shared family ritual can add meaning when it connects to your lives. Consider the setting, the materials, and what you want guests to understand.
For cultural or faith traditions, talk about their meaning and the people who can guide their use. You can honor your backgrounds with care while keeping the ceremony true to you.
Your ceremony checklist.
- Choose your tone and preferred form of address.
- Decide who walks in, who participates, and who holds the rings.
- Select vows, readings, music, and any traditions.
- Confirm the ceremony order and sound arrangements.
- Bring your marriage license and arrange witnesses when required.
Cultural customs.
A ceremony can honor your heritage through meaningful words, family participation, or a custom passed down through generations. Tell Jon which customs matter to you and who in your family can help explain their significance.
Creative ideas.
Invite a loved one to share a short memory, acknowledge children as part of a new family chapter, or include a small gesture with meaning in your relationship. Jon can help place those moments in the ceremony so they feel natural.
Quotes and thoughts.
A meaningful line can introduce your vows or a reading. Start with a thought that reflects your relationship, tell Jon why it matters, and discuss how to credit the author when using published words.