How to write a wedding vows

Written by the Toast Worthy speech team · Updated August 2026

The short answer

A wedding vows should run 3–5 minutes and follow a simple arc: welcome, who you are, one true story, a warm tease or heartfelt moment, the turn toward the couple, and a toast. Below: the full structure, a complete example, opening lines, a template, and guides for every relationship.

The structure of a great wedding vows

1Why you fell for them (be specific)
2A small, true detail only you two share
3The promises you're making
4How you'll show up in the hard times
5A closing line that lands

A full wedding vows example

Wedding Vows~4 min · 149 words

Getting to speak about Jordan today is a real honour — and, if I'm honest, a small act of revenge for every speech they never had to give about me.

I'm not going to promise you a perfect life, Jordan. I'm going to promise you me — all in, paying attention, choosing you on the good days and especially on the hard ones.

For all the ribbing, there's a reason I'd walk over hot coals for Jordan, and it's this.

Jordan completes Jordan, which is a lovely way of saying they now finish the sentences Jordan could never be bothered to.

The best kind of love doesn't sweep you off your feet so much as steady them, and that's exactly what Jordan and Jordan have found.

Please stand and join me in wishing these two a marriage as brilliant as the party they've thrown us. To Jordan and Jordan.

How long should it be?

Length	Words	Best for
2 minutes	~260 words	One story, one laugh, a toast. Great for a big wedding party.
3–4 minutes	~400–520 words	The sweet spot: a story, a tease, a heartfelt turn, a toast.
5 minutes	~650 words	The maximum before a room gets restless. Don't go over.

Wedding Vows speech guides

Frequently asked questions

How long should a wedding vows be?+

Three to five minutes — about 400 to 650 words. Five minutes is the ceiling before a wedding crowd starts to fidget.

How do you start a wedding vows?+

With a hook, not a housekeeping note. A specific image, a gentle joke, or a promise beats "for those who don't know me" every time. See the opening-lines guide below.

How do you end a wedding vows?+

With a toast. Turn to the couple, raise a glass, and give the room a clear line to echo — "To the happy couple!"

Can I use a template or an AI writer for a wedding vows?+

Yes — a good template gives you the structure, and a guided writer like Toast Worthy turns your own stories into a finished, right-length speech. The trick is to keep it personal: real memories are what make it land.

Write your wedding vows in minutes

Answer a few questions about the couple and your memories. Read a full draft free; unlock the finished, personalised version for $29.

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