Your wedding vows are a promise to each other and a declaration of your commitment, both to each other, and to your relationship together.

While you state your vows publicly, they are a personal statement that you are making to your partner.

So how do you personalise them to suit you as a couple?

Think about what drew you together as a couple, why you love each other now, and what your hopes are for the future together.

Get inspiration from sources that mean something to you, be it a poem, book, movie or song – this can be a great way to get started.

You do not have to use the same vows to each other.  Some couples prepare their vows together as a joint statement of their declarations, while others like to surprise their partner on the day.

Think about whether your vows will be formal, humorous or romantic and how this fits into the overall tone and style of your ceremony.

Of course there is nothing wrong with using ‘standard’ vows – the reason they are so popular is that they do speak from the heart and convey a clear message of love.

Most of all, remember that there is no right or wrong way to prepare your vows.  They are a celebration of your love and your relationship and will be meaningful to you as a couple.

You should also be aware of the Legal Requirements for Wedding Vows.