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How Long Should Wedding Vows Be? Try This!

Published Tuesday, Jan. 28th, 2025


A groom reads his wedding vows to the bride from a printed sheet of paper during a beach wedding ceremony ,while the wedding officiant watches from beside them
A simple guide to the average wedding vow length. (Photo: FG Trade Latin / iStock)

How long should your wedding vows be? Here's the secret to writing vows that aren't too short or too long

 

Wondering how long your wedding vows should be? Written vows should be about 2 to 3 minutes long or less, or 200 to 300 words. Any longer and guests might get restless. But consider this…

 

Wedding vows are the heart and soul of the marriage ceremony. They’re the promises you make for the future and a reminder of the things you love most about each other. Your vows are often the only part of a wedding ceremony when you talk to each other directly – the rest of the ceremony is delivered by the officiant and any loved ones who participate.
 

Vows can be romantic, heartfelt, funny, or traditional. You can write your own vows, or write joint wedding vows and recite them together. Some couples choose to exchange private wedding vows before the ceremony to create an intimate memory, and then include traditional ‘repeat after me’ vows during the ceremony itself. Others embrace the vow exchange as a public declaration of love and commitment in front of friends and family.

 

As you write your vows, consider what marriage and being a good spouse means to you. What values are important to you? What promises do you make for the future? What moments in your relationship showed you that this special person was ‘the one’? What qualities do you love most about them? 

 

Start writing your vows at least a few weeks before the ceremony. Take your time, and don’t stress! Just write how you feel in your own words. 

 

Speaking of time – this article is exactly 300 words long, and will take most people 2 to 3 minutes to read outloud. This is considered a good length for wedding vows: not too short and not too long! Use it as a guide to get started, then click the links below.

 

 

Two brides exchange wedding vows during a wedding in a forest

There is no right or wrong length for wedding vows. In general, a good length is about 2 to 3 minutes, but some people say their vows in less than a minute, and others write long love letters as their vows, which can take almost 10 minutes to read! We recommend that you and your partner write vows that are about the same length. (Photo: Tash Jones - Love Luella Photography / iStock)

 


 

More Wedding Vow Ideas & Inspiration

 

Browse all Wedding Vow Ideas

 


 

Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding!


Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony! Having a friend officiate your wedding is more affordable than hiring a professional officiant, and a great way to ensure the wedding day is as intimate and personal as it can be. When a loved one officiates, every moment means more! 


Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.


AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Two young newlyweds pose under a blanket on the wedding day

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: Viktor / Adobe Stock)

 


 

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Jessica Levey
Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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