With this ring, I thee wed

When planning her wedding, it is only natural for a bride to spend a great deal of time and energy on shopping for a wedding dress, deciding on a caterer and a menu, choosing the right music, and a myriad of other details that require thoughtful decisions. Often, among these countless niceties, the writing of the marriage vows is left to the last, and an exhausted bride sits down to write them hurriedly in between dozens of texts and phone calls.

If all of the fripperies and trivialities are stripped away from the wedding hoopla, the actual celebration should be focused on the exchanging of these vows, for they are the reason the entire enterprise is taking place. Certainly more thought and time should be spent on the composition of these solemn promises of abiding devotedness, than on, for example, the style of the soon-to-be forgotten bridesmaids dresses.

The wedding vows, if they are to be taken seriously, will be the part of the wedding ceremony that endures in the memory long after the minutia of the big day has faded from the recollections of the married couple. Some traditionalists may adhere to the classic “love, honor and respect” vow of marriage, without, of course, including the abhorrent “obey” that has become antiquated and obsolete. But the majority of couples prefer to create a more personal profession of commitment that expresses the emotion, hopes and affirmations of the declaration they are making to their respective partners.

Some couples choose to use unique and creative ways to present their vows, such as in the use of original poetry or even songs. There is no one style or form of presentation that is appropriate. It is the sincerity of the vows that matter. The vows of marriage should be meaningful and embrace the essential truths of the relationship between two human beings who desire to keep together for always.

The writing of the marriage vows should be a process that takes some time; perhaps weeks or even months. Discovering exactly what it is that needs to be expressed, and carefully choosing the right words to express these ideal and feelings, is not something that can at all be rushed. If the time is taken to accomplish this happy and loving task properly, the memory of the vows exchanged at the ceremony of marriage will be enduring, as will hopefully, the marriage itself.

About the Author:

Daniel Blinman is writing for WhiteWeddingGuides, who offer wedding ideas and wedding vows

I want to start off by admitting my ignorance when it comes to home improvement. I, by no means, consider myself a DIY-guy, which is why I need professionals to step in. My basement needs some fixing, particularly the ceiling, which uses those cheap ceiling boards. I want a nicer ceiling but I don’t even know where to look or who to ask (remember, I admitted my ignorance up front). I live in the Chicago suburbs, by the way. I don’t know anyone who can give me a reference, so how can I go about 1) finding someone who can do the job, and 2) finding someone honest. Thanks in advance!
Chosen Answer:

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