D-Day is approaching fast, and you're ready to do whatever it takes to make the day perfect. The dress is chosen, the venue booked, and the wedding photographer ready to immortalize every moment. But in the midst of all the preparations, one little question keeps popping into your head: “What am I going to say during my vows?” Because yes, posing in front of the lens is one thing, but expressing your feelings in front of all your family and friends is quite another!”

Ready to make your guests cry (with joy, of course)?

Writing your vows is like trying to capture lightning in a bottle: a delicate exercise, but oh so gratifying! How about replacing the stress with a little humor? After all, marriage is also an opportunity to let loose and show your partner (and the whole world) how much you love them.

Forget “I love you”, say THANK YOU!

Do you say “I love you” every day? That's great! But have you ever tried a “thank you for putting up with my burnt popcorn Netflix sleepovers and failed, inedible attempts at Asian cooking”? By thanking your partner for the little and the big things, you show him/her how much you appreciate everything he/she does and puts up with for you. It's original, and it makes you smile!

Flashback, please!

Vows mean memories! Rather than just saying “we got off to a great start”, tell a juicy anecdote about how you met. Remember that evening when you tripped over him/her in the pool and had to tell him/her all about your life in 5 seconds? Or that trip when you got lost in the middle of the forest without a GPS, compass or map? These little moments are what make up the story of your relationship.

A sketch... of love

Describe him/her as if you had to find him/her in a crowd... Or describe a serial killer to cops. “He has eyes the color of the sea, a laugh that makes me compete with car alarms and a passion for improbably patterned socks.” Yes, the socks are a detail, but it's what makes him/her unique in your eyes. Plus, it shows that you really know him/her, even his/her little quirks.

Why do I love you? 1001 reasons!

“Because you make me laugh, because you're always there for me, because you know how to make me the best coffee in the world...” Let your heart speak and list all the reasons why you're madly in love. The longer the better! You can even make a funny little list: “I love you because you know how to fix everything that's broken (except my heart, which is already yours), because you put up with me when I sing in the shower, and because you always have a joke to make me smile.”

Promises made of gold (or paper, as the case may be)

Promises are a bit like good resolutions: we make lots of them, but we don't always keep them. So be sincere and make promises you'll be able to keep. For example: “I promise I'll always let you watch your favorite show, even if it's a documentary about snails. And I also promise never to hide the chocolate you hide in the fridge again.”

And a wedding-related anecdote like the stress of choosing a photographer!

Remember when we were looking for a photographer not far from Montreal? We almost had a fight. I wanted a photographer who would take super-natural photos, like jumping in puddles. And you wanted a fashion photographer with super-stylish poses who'd do an extra shoot for us in old Quebec. We ended up finding a compromise: a Quebec City wedding photographer who does both! And what's more, he accepts dogs as witnesses. Remember our engagement session? When we tried to do the “romantic” photos by the lake and ended up rolling on the floor laughing?

And now it's your turn!

The important thing is to be yourself and say things from the heart. Don't hesitate to add a touch of humor, a reference to a joke you share or a memory you hold dear. This will make your wishes unique and unforgettable. And who knows, maybe your guests will cry with laughter as well as joy!

So, are you ready to rock the house?

Here are a few more ideas for personalizing your vows:

A reference to the day you met: “I remember the day I saw you for the first time, I thought time had stopped...”

A quote that inspires you both: “As [writer/philosopher] said, ‘Love is one soul inhabiting two bodies’.”

A nod to your future plans: “I can't wait to build a life with you, filled with travel, laughter and lots of cuddles.”

Remember, the important thing is to feel comfortable and say what's on your mind. Your wishes will be perfect, simply because they come from you.