Modern wedding vows have sometimes been thought of as being non-traditional and, therefore, strange or inappropriate. However, many brides and grooms today are choosing to write their own wedding vows that put a personal and unique aspect into their dream wedding. For example, some of the most unique and beautiful wedding vows are combined with the lovely unity sand ceremony. Traditionally, it was the minister or officiant who decided upon a couple's wedding vows according to either a religious affiliation or a civil ceremony. Today's couples are taking a more active role in writing their own wedding vows according to their desired expressions of their steadfast love throughout the years.
To find a variety of modern wedding vows isn't at all difficult. Most book stores have books that will help you decide upon romantic wedding vows that will make your special day memorable. Or you can choose to write your own wedding vows. This is especially easy because of the many workbooks available that teach you how to write your vows together, straight from your heart! If you would like to combine your own modern wedding wording with the elegance and emotionally moving unity sand ceremony, there are on-line sites that will take you through every step you need to perfect your sand ceremony vows.
Whether you select your modern wedding vows or write your own, both of you can express yourself in words and phrases that are meaningful for you. An intimate wedding where you pledge your hearts and your lives to each other is a day that will always live in your memory. You'll find that the language of today's vows, especially when combined with the unity sand ceremony, is also more modern. For example, one of the more traditional wedding verses includes the words, "And thereto I plight thee my troth." Today's brides and grooms have difficulty determining just what this means! A modern wedding vow in this case could read, "And today I pledge to you all that I own, and all that I am." Modern English is much more suitable for today's couples than vows spoken in the Middle English of Shakespeare's time.
Contemporary writers of modern wedding vows suggest wedding ceremony vows that are much more simplistic and meaningful to modern couples. There are several elements that a couple should consider when selecting or writing their vows: (1) A profession of enduring love, (2) An expression of gratitude that the bride/groom has come into the others' life, (3) A reference to religious or spiritual meaning of marriage if desired, (4) How the bride/groom has enhanced the others' life, and (5) The spoken promises of faithfulness and steadfast love through good times and bad. These elements of unique wedding vows need not be in any particular order.
All these modern wedding wording exemplars can be used in conjunction with the enhancement of the lovely unity sand ceremony which will serve as a tangible reminder of a couple's wedding day. The sand ceremony vows are easy to select or to write; today's brides and grooms can use this elegant ceremony as a unique expression of their love and devotion to each other. Using the unity sand ceremony is particularly meaningful for blended families; no other modern wedding ceremony is as beautiful and all-inclusive than this ceremony. For an even more intimate wedding, couples may elect to use lines of poetry and even words from songs that speak the words they would like to express.
For an even more unique expression in modern wedding vows, many books about writing your own vows contain suggestions and worksheets about how to personalize your vows by considering how you felt upon first meeting each other, why you were interested in pursuing your relationship, what traits and qualities each of you brings to your marriage, how you felt at the proposal, what you would like your officiant to say about the rings, what dream or vision you have for your marriage, and many more expressions of your love for each other. There is no limit or rules about what you wish to include in your modern wedding vows; the beauty and romance of the unity sand ceremony vows is an example of how today's couples can completely personalize their wedding by their individual sand color choices and the words they speak to each other while pouring their sand into their chosen vessel.
Cultural aspects are also gaining increased popularity in modern wedding verses. For example, African American brides in the US often pay homage to their cultural ancestry by following the tradition of brides in Kenya and Nigeria by braiding their hair on their wedding day to form a sort of crown on top of their heads. She takes her unique wedding vows in the same manner as her ancient ancestors. An integral part of Chinese unique wedding vows is to include the vows with the ancient tea ceremony. As the Irish bride repeats her modernized vows, she still speaks these vows with a bit of Irish lace tucked into her gown.
More than ever, modern wedding vows are designed to meet the emotional needs of the bride and groom rather than vows dictated by religious tradition. While a couple may pledge their steadfast love in modern language, their intentions are no less solemn and heartfelt than the old traditional vows.
Sharon Vaz is founder of http://www.unitysandceremony.net, an authority website dedicated to providing brides resources on planning a spectacular Unity Sand Ceremony.
