Using quotes is a great way to lift your wedding vows above the ordinary.
Amazing writers and inspiring thinkers often have the knack of articulating what we think are unique feelings. The reality is, love is universal even in all its distinct and quirky forms, and it’s fine to pick the brains of others who have felt it too.
So, how do you find the right quote for you and where exactly do you put it?
Well, you’ll know the right quote when you find yourself thinking ‘Yes, THAT. Exactly ‘. It will make you smile. You’ll feel like someone finally knows your happiest secret.
Of course, using quotes shouldn’t make you lazy when it comes to writing your vows, so here’s Speechy’s guide to using quotes and a selection of our favourite ones.
Don’t just google ‘Love Quotes’ and pick ‘a nice one’. It needs to be better than that!
Make the quotes genuinely meaningful. Try to find quotes from your partner’s favourite book, TV show or film. We would say favourite poem, but no-one has a favourite poem. The only people who have a favourite poem are poets. And they should never be invited to weddings.
Remember what your partner is into and utilise that for full romantic effect. If they love Game of Thrones, then quote a character from that. Although avoid the many many quotes about dragons and beheadings. Maybe something more like this?
“Love didn’t just happen to us. We built it slowly over the years, stone by stone… It’s not as exciting as secret passion in the woods, but it is stronger. It lasts longer.” – Caitlyn Stark
Tip 2: Keep Them Short
Your vows should ideally be less than a few minutes in total, so don’t go clogging them up with lengthy quotes like you’re doing the audiobook for War and Peace. Be concise. In fact, the shorter a quote is, the more memorable it is. Like this one…
“I’m much more me when I’m with you.” – Unknown
NB – If the author is unknown (and loads of great quotes are) simply intro the quote with ‘As someone once said…’ . At least then, you’re not claiming the line as your own when others might recognise them.
Tip 3: Always Check Who the Quote is Attributed To
“Words build bridges into unexplored regions.”
But before you go sticking that in your vows – know who said it? A certain German dictator.
Always check who the author of the quote is. It turns out that even proper wrong’uns occasionally say some profound things.
You’ll also find there are loads of great quotes by people you’ve never heard of, but do you really want to qualify them by saying they were written by a ‘relationship consultant’?
Tip 4: Decide On a Tone
Ask yourself what sort of quote your partner would like to hear. Would they want a romantic one? A funny one? A profound one?
And also, what sort of quotes feel best suited to you?
Google a few, find ones you like, then read them out loud. Although please do this at home, not in the middle of B&Q or at the Post Office.
Tip 5: Understand How To Use the Quotes
You only want to use one, maximum two, quotes in your wedding vows. They should complement your own words rather than act as a substitute for your personal insights and promises.
Write your speech first, then see if a quote can add extra poignancy or, if you want, humour.
‘I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow’ – Leo Christopher
‘When you love someone all your saved up wishes start coming out’ – Elizabeth Bowen
‘I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen’ – A. A. Milne
‘Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them’ – Anna Taylor
“In order to be happy oneself it is necessary to make at least one other person happy.” – Theodor Reik
“To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything.” – Themis Tolis
‘And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you’ – Kiersten White
“Someday, someone will walk into your life and make you realise why it never worked out with anyone else.” – Shon Meta
‘When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too’ – Paulo Coello
“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” – Victor Hugo
“I look at you and see the rest of my life in front of my eyes.” – Anon
“Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you’re offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone’s feelings.” – David Sedaris
