Your love story is uniquely yours – emotional, sentimental and layered with moments only you can truly understand. As you prepare to step into this magical chapter together, writing your vows is a chance to reflect on your journey and share heartfelt promises with your forever person. However, don’t let pressure take over; instead take a breath, sit back and write from the heart. To help guide you through the vow-writing process, Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Josephine Day and Teddy Bell, experienced celebrant and owner of Married By A Teddy, team up to help you craft the perfect ‘I do’.
Professionally fabulous and bursting with personality, Teddy creates modern ceremonies that are anything but ordinary. Known for his authenticity, Teddy ensures every wedding is a unique reflection of the couple, never cookie-cutter or predictable. “I love taking ‘standard, done-a thousand-times traditions’ and reimagining them into something meaningful for the couple in front of me. On the day, they can expect charisma and flair on the microphone, always balanced with the wisdom to know it’s about them, not me,” says Teddy.
Inclusivity is at the heart of every ceremony Teddy delivers, with a strong focus on celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and supporting couples with sensory needs, because everyone deserves their fairytale. Every ceremony is crafted to reflect their passion, style and vibe. “The most rewarding part of being a celebrant is seeing couple’s faces when their story is reflected to them in a way that feels utterly them,” Teddy shares. “It’s that moment of recognition – where they laugh, cry or both – and know they’re seen, valued and celebrated.”
Image courtesy of Married By A Teddy.
PUTTING PEN TO PAPER
Vows are the emotional core of any wedding ceremony. That faint moment where everything fades away and the world narrows to just two people standing before each other, making promises that will last a lifetime. It’s pretty magical, right? “Vows are where love becomes language, and those words live on long after the last glass of Champagne is poured,” Teddy comments.
So, have your tissues handy and let’s get started! To support couples in articulating these powerful emotions, Teddy offers a bespoke Vow Writing Guide as part of his services. The guide includes templates, examples, prompts and structured exercises so that no one feels overwhelmed or unsure where to start.
Teddy begins the process by asking couples how they want their vows to feel – short and sweet, deeply emotional or perhaps some light-hearted playfulness. From there, he encourages them to reflect on three core ideas – what they love about their partner, why this day matters and what excites them most about their future together. These reflections often shape the most heartfelt vows. For those less confident with words, Teddy offers hands-on support, editing and polishing vows while preserving each person’s voice. His Vow Writing Support sessions provide guidance line by line and reassurance that their words are already perfect.
A RENEWED LOVE
Amid our busy lives, it can be difficult to carve out time for ourselves – especially when wedding planning is added to the mix. That’s why Teddy encourages couples to begin writing their vows at least ten weeks before the big day, allowing the process to unfold thoughtfully, rather than as a rushed, last-minute task.
Starting early gives space for deep reflection, revision and emotional clarity, ultimately leading to vows that feel true and impactful. Most couples end up sharing their final versions with Teddy about four to six weeks prior to the ceremony, which frees them up to focus on the many other details leading up to their special day.
With all eyes on you, of course not everyone feels comfortable speaking emotionally in front of a crowd, and Teddy acknowledges that vulnerability can be daunting. “If nerves are running high,” he says, “I encourage them to keep their vows shorter or focus on two or three heartfelt promises they know they can deliver with confidence.” He reminds couples that guests are not there to judge, but to support and celebrate. However, it is also important to note that vows don’t have to be delivered one specific way. Whether they’re read aloud on a microphone, softly whispered during a first look or exchanged privately, what matters most is that the moment feels authentic and right for the couple.
Throughout his experience, Teddy has also observed that the vow-writing process itself often becomes a transformative experience. By taking a moment to pause and reflect on their journey, couples may discover new emotional layers in their relationship – sharing laughter, vulnerabilities and dreams in ways they hadn’t before. “It’s not unusual for someone to say, “I didn’t even know you felt that way,” or “I’ve never heard you put it into words like that before.” That discovery can be incredibly bonding,” he states.
YOUR VOWS, YOUR WAY
There’s no right way to write your vows – but adding your own personal flair can make the moment truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a natural comedian aiming for a laugh or a poetic storyteller weaving a romantic narrative, the most important thing is that your vows reflect your personality and who you are as a couple.
Teddy recalls a memorable wedding where the groom blended humour and heart perfectly. “I once had a groom begin reading his vows from his cards, then pause, look up and turn to the audience. He asked the crowd, ‘What do YOU all love about my gorgeous bride?’ Guests immediately called out all sorts of wonderful things about her – her kindness, humour and smile. The groom chuckled, turned back to his partner and said ‘Babe, I love all these things about you too, ’” he describes. “The entire room erupted in laughter and applause, and it became one of those unforgettable moments that perfectly reflected the couple’s playful, easy-going love.” In another wedding, Teddy’s brother sang his vows to his wife while Teddy accompanied him on piano, creating a deeply intimate and personal moment.
If you’re unsure where to begin, Teddy offers sentence starters to inspire meaningful reflection, such as: I knew I loved you when…, You make life better because…, or I promise that no matter what, I will always… “More often than not, these sentences become the backbone of their vows, and they never fail to spark words that truly sound like them,” he says.