Elopements are deeply personal—free from timelines, big crowds, and expectations. That’s why writing your own vows can be one of the most powerful moments of the entire day. Whether you’re saying “I do” on a mountaintop, by a quiet alpine lake, or under a red rock arch, your vows are the heart of your elopement ceremony.
But where do you start? What do you say? And how do you put big feelings into just a few meaningful words?
As an elopement photographer who’s witnessed countless raw, tear-filled vow exchanges, I’m here to guide you through writing vows that feel uniquely you.
✍️ How to Write Your Elopement Vows: Step-by-Step
1. Reflect on Your Journey
Before you start writing, take a moment to look back:
- How did you meet?
- What have you overcome together?
- When did you know this was your person?
- What do you love about them?
- What adventures have you had together?
Don’t wait until the day before your wedding to write your vows. Spend the weeks or months leading up to your wedding jotting down your thoughts when they come to you. Even if it’s just a small phrase or memory, take note of it in your phone or journal. That way, you can use those notes to piece together your vows later.
2. Think About Why You’re Eloping
Are you eloping for adventure? Intimacy? Freedom from tradition? Breaking away from a toxic Family?
Let that intention guide the tone of your vows. For example:
- If you’re having a mountain elopement, you might use metaphors of climbing, exploration, or steady footing.
- For a desert elopement, maybe you draw on the symbolism of resilience, quiet beauty, or timeless landscapes.
- A lakeside elopement, you could use phrases like; being a safe harbor, or still waters run deep.
3. Write From the Heart (Not a Template)
Forget Google templates for now. Just speak to your partner like it’s the most important love letter you’ve ever written.
Consider including:
- One or two specific promises (serious or lighthearted)
- A story or memory that defines your relationship
- What you admire most about them
- How you feel standing here, on this adventure together
- What made you fall in love with them
4. Keep It Short and Sweet (If You Want To)
Elopement ceremonies are typically simple and intimate. Aim for around 1–2 minutes per person or 10-15 sentences. That’s long enough to say something meaningful without losing the magic in a long monologue.
5. Write It Down (And Practice!)
I don’t suggest speaking from the heart during your ceremony. Nerves or emotion might hit hard on the day. Many couples who speak from the heart end up forgetting what they want to say and end up rambling. I recommend:
- Writing your vows in a vow book (they photograph beautifully!) Don’t use your cell phone or tablet to read your vows. It will look like you’re checking your phone during your ceremony.
- Practicing out loud at least once or twice.
- Bringing a backup copy, just in case
It is a good idea to have a trusted friend proofread your vows, and practice reading your vows aloud before the ceremony.
🏔️ Vow Writing Tips from an Elopement Photographer
✔️ Use Your Ceremony Location as Inspiration
Are you saying your vows on a cliff in Yosemite? On a trail in Glacier? Beside a beautiful lake? Let the beauty around you find its way into your words.
Examples:
“Just like this mountain, my love for you is wild, strong, and unshakable.”
“Our marriage will be a lot like the trail we took today, easy in some moments, hard in others, but always worth the work.”
“Standing here beside this beautiful lake—still, deep, and surrounded by the strength of mountains—I see a reflection of us & our love.“
✔️ Don’t Worry About What Sounds “Right”
There’s no wrong way to say “I love you.” Your vows should sound like you. It’s okay to be poetic—or to crack a joke. Just remember to put thought into them.
✔️ You Don’t Have to Share Them in Front of Others
One of the most beautiful trends in elopements is reading private vows during a quiet moment before or after the ceremony. You get the intimacy without the pressure.
💬 Sample Prompts to Spark Your Elopement Vows
- “I love you because…”
- “The moment I knew I wanted to marry you was…”
- “You make me feel…”
- “I promise to…”
- “When I imagine the future, I see…”
Use them as writing prompts or even sentence starters in your actual vows.
🌲 Final Thoughts: Your Words Are Enough
Your vows don’t need to be long, fancy, or literary. They just need to be true. When you’re standing across from the love of your life in the middle of your dream landscape, the right words will come—even if they come between tears, laughter, or deep breaths.
And I’ll be there—camera in hand, misty-eyed behind the lens—ready to capture every beautiful second.
