One of the most emotional and intimate wedding trends I’ve seen growing in popularity is exchanging personal vows before the ceremony. More and more couples are choosing to share these heartfelt words privately, and honestly? It’s such a beautiful way to kick off the wedding day.

Why Couples Are Loving This Trend

Weddings are filled with excitement, nerves, and so many moving pieces. Taking a quiet moment before the ceremony to share personal vows allows couples to slow down, breathe, and truly connect before walking down the aisle. It’s a chance to be completely in the moment without the pressure of a crowd watching.

Plus, if you’re someone who feels extra emotional (or just don’t love public speaking), this is a perfect way to say everything in a more intimate setting. You still get to express your love in a meaningful way without the nerves of standing in front of everyone.

Creative Ways to Exchange Personal Vows Before the Ceremony

There’s no right or wrong way to do this! Here are a few ways couples are making this moment uniquely theirs:

• A First Look with Vows – If you’re already planning a first look, adding personal vows makes it even more special. The reactions, the happy tears, the love—it all makes for incredible photographs.
• Back-to-Back or Around a Door – If you want to save the first look for the aisle, standing back-to-back or holding hands around a door is a great alternative. You get to hear each other’s words while keeping the surprise for the ceremony.
• Writing a Letter & Reading It Aloud – Some couples opt to write vows in a letter and read them alone before exchanging gifts. This allows for private reflection while still making it a deeply emotional part of the day.

Why These Moments Make for Incredible Photographs

As a photographer, I love capturing these pre-ceremony vow exchanges. They bring out raw, unfiltered emotion, and those moments translate beautifully into photographs. The nervous smiles, the way couples wipe away happy tears, the way they really listen—it all tells such a heartfelt story.

These moments also help set the tone for the rest of the day. By the time the ceremony starts, the nerves have settled, and the couple is fully present, soaking in every second.

Making It Your Own

Whether you whisper vows in a quiet corner, read them through happy tears, or write them in a letter to be exchanged later, the beauty of this trend is that it’s completely customizable. The most important thing is that it feels right for you.

If you’re on the fence about personal vows before the ceremony, I say go for it! Not only will it be one of the most memorable moments of your day, but you’ll also have stunning, emotional photographs to look back on forever.