Are you imagining that moment when you read your vows and everyone cries at how romantic and sweet your love story sounds? While you can’t guarantee how others will react, you can write vows that will tug at their heartstrings. 

Whether you’re planning to write non-religious vows, funny vows, or private vows…these tips will help you with the emotional factor.

As a professional wedding vow writer, here are my 7 tips for how to write vows that will make everyone cry. 

Tip #1: Be Vulnerable.

The more you can reveal about your own emotional side, the more emotion you will evoke in others. Talk about your feelings. Describe what’s in your heart. And share your fears. 

Example:

Growing up, I didn’t imagine this day. I hadn’t been surrounded by real-life fairytales and so I didn’t think I’d ever find my own happily ever after.

But then I met you. And when you opened your heart, you inspired every wall I had built to fall down to make room for all the love you were ready to shower me with.

Tip #2: Be Honest.

Your relationship has had challenges. Don’t shy away from addressing these points within your vows.

This doesn’t mean you need to go into specific detail on past arguments. Just highlight the idea of challenges and more importantly, how you grew from those experiences. 

Example:

Our relationship has endured many challenges but through each one, you’ve remained by my side. I know that no matter what our future holds, we’ll be in it together. 

Tip #3: Be Brief.

The more succinct your vows are, the more of an emotional impact you will have.

When you meander for several sentences to convey a single idea that you could communicate in one, you lose the attention and emotional engagement of guests.

Instead, choose your words wisely to convey your feelings. 

Tip #4: Be Original.

You don’t need quotes to convey how you feel. Say it in your own words and leave Meredeth Grey out of it. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to create original content for your cry-worthy wedding vows:

• When did you know you were in love with this person?

• Why do you want to spend the rest of your life with them?

• How do you envision your future?

• How have you overcome challenges together? 

Tip #5: Be Playful.

It may sound counterintuitive to include humor into your vows if your goal is to make people cry.

But, the key to having emotionally impactful vows is to balance all of those serious and romantic thoughts with some levity.

Find the right moments to rhythmically bob from a sentimental phrase to a funny line. This back-and-forth will add more emotional depth and range to your vows and will allow the teary-eyed moments to really tug at the heartstrings. 

Tip #6: Be Specific.

Recount specific milestone moments from your relationship. 

Here are some moments that may be worth specifically mentioning within your vows:

• What you thought the first time you saw your partner

• The memory of your first date

• The time you first said I love you

• When you got a pet together

• When you made a big decision as one team 

• Your proposal story

Here’s an example of how you might describe the first time you said I love you. 

I’ll never forget the look in your eyes and the smile that widened across your lips when I first said, I love you.

Those three words, so little alone, but when pushed beside each other, manage to convey these deep and overwhelming feelings I have for you.

From that first, I love you, to the hundreds of I love you’s I’ve since whispered into your ear and shouted across grocery store aisles to you...I promise to never forget how it first felt and I’ll spend my life telling you again, and again…I love you…I love you…I love you.

Tip #7: Practice reciting your vows.

What you write is half of how you’ll achieve emotional vows. But how you say your vows is really essential.

Practice reciting your vows out loud three to six times before your wedding day.

Focus on your speed and tone if you really want to make everyone cry.

For example, at the more serious parts, you’ll want to slow down and use a deeper voice. During the funny moments, you’ll want to speed up your delivery slightly and use a higher-pitched voice for the playful lines.

Do you really want to write vows that will make everyone cry?

If you’ve tried these tips and you’re still unsure if your vows have enough depth and emotion to elicit tears, get in touch.

As a professional vow writer, I work with couples to write custom, cry-evoking vows.

Let’s capture your love story through heartfelt vows. 

Example of Vows That Will Make Everyone Cry

Here’s a short example of vows that will bring a few tears to everyone’s eyes. How can you rework this to make it your own?

When you first smiled at me, I felt at ease.

When you said hello, my heart sang alongside your voice.

And then my eyes met yours and suddenly, I was safe.

I knew from the first time you held my hand and kissed my forehead, that in you, I had found my home...the place I can return to after being challenged by life...the place where I can be completely myself, and the place that fills me with more love than I ever thought was possible. 

I promise to be trustworthy and faithful.

I promise to share my homemade lemon bars along with my entire heart.

And I promise to show my love for you in some way, every day. 

You are my biggest dream realized and I love you.