12 heart-wrenching wedding vows that will make you cry
There’s something uniquely powerful about wedding vows. In a day full of beautiful details, it’s these words that tend to leave the biggest impression. Whether written from scratch or adapted from tradition, vows are where the emotion lives. They offer a glimpse into your relationship, your promises, and your hopes for the future.
If you’re searching for wedding vow inspiration that feels meaningful and genuinely moving, this list is for you. We’ve gathered examples of wedding vows that don’t just sound beautiful — they carry real emotional weight. Some are heartfelt and poetic, others are grounded in everyday love, but all have one thing in common: they might just make you cry. Whether you’re writing your own vows or simply want to feel all the feels, these examples are a reminder of what a powerful moment this can be.
Photography by Erin & Tara
1. The ‘you’re my home’ vow
“You are the calm in my chaos, the place I run to when I’ve had enough of the world. With you, I’m always home — even when we’re far from it.”
This kind of vow resonates because it doesn’t rely on grand declarations: it’s grounded in something very human. The idea that love is not just passion, but safety. A space to rest. For many, that’s what marriage is all about.
2. The everyday love wedding vow
“I promise to make your coffee just the way you like it, to laugh at your bad jokes, to fold the laundry (sometimes), and to love you fiercely through the small moments — the ordinary days that make up an extraordinary life.”
What makes this vow emotional is its simplicity. It acknowledges that marriage is built on the everyday; not just the highlight reel. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also real. That’s what makes it hit so hard.
3. The ‘through it all’ vow
“I’ve loved you in joy, and I’ve loved you through heartbreak. I’ve seen your strength, your softness, your shadows, and your light. And I choose all of it — again and again, for the rest of my life.”
These words hold weight because they acknowledge imperfection. They come from a place of knowing, of having already seen each other in difficult moments and still choosing to commit. That depth of understanding is where the tears often start to fall.
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4. The time-stamps vow
“I loved you when you were running late and forgot your wallet. I loved you when we moved into our tiny flat with creaky floors and no heating. I loved you when you cried over the dog’s birthday. And I’ll love you tomorrow, in ten years, and when we’re old and grey and still arguing over where to eat.”
This vow uses shared memories as emotional anchors. It’s a beautiful way to honour the history of your relationship, and offer a promise that carries it into the future. Specificity creates connection, and this kind of detail gives your vows real staying power.
5. The ‘you changed me’ wedding vow
“Before you, I didn’t know how much more there was to life. You’ve expanded my heart, softened my edges, and made me braver than I ever thought I could be. Loving you has changed me — and I will spend the rest of my life being grateful for that.”
Few things are more powerful than telling someone how deeply they’ve impacted you. These vows are less about promises and more about gratitude, and they land especially hard when spoken quietly, sincerely, and in front of the people who matter most.
6. The ‘we grew up together’ vow
“We met as kids, with no idea who we’d become. And now I stand here, not just loving the person you are — but the journey we’ve taken to become who we are together. I promise to keep growing with you, learning with you, and choosing you — always.”
These vows are especially powerful for couples who’ve been together a long time. They acknowledge not just love, but evolution, and the beauty of growing up side by side.
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7. The ‘in case I forget to say it’ wedding vow
“In the chaos of life — when we’re tired, stressed, and trying to remember if we fed the dog — I promise to never forget to say I love you. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”
This wedding vow is quietly devastating in the best way. It speaks to the small cracks that life can create, and the effort it takes to keep love present, even in the mundane.
8. The ‘I want your ordinary’ vow
“I don’t want a perfect life. I want our life. I want mismatched socks and Sunday grocery runs and your half-finished cups of tea. I want your version of ordinary — because to me, that’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”
There’s something incredibly moving about choosing someone’s unfiltered reality over a fantasy. It turns the cliché on its head, and makes the promise feel real.
9. The ‘you’re my favourite’ vow
“You’re my favourite voice, my favourite face, my favourite person to come home to. I promise to keep you close — not just in big moments, but in all the quiet ones, too.”
Simple. Honest. Unapologetically romantic. This one hits because it doesn’t overreach — it just speaks clearly and with love.
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10. The ‘no matter what’ vow
“When we’re winning. When we’re not. When it’s easy, and when it’s anything but. I will still be here. I will still be yours. No matter what.”
A vow like this is powerful in its repetition. It’s the kind of promise that doesn’t flinch — and that unwavering commitment tends to leave a mark.
11. The ‘we’re a team’ wedding vow
“You’re not just the love of my life — you’re my teammate. My partner in the mess and the magic. I promise to face everything with you, shoulder to shoulder.”
For couples who’ve weathered storms (and even those who haven’t yet), this kind of language creates a powerful sense of unity. It’s the idea that love isn’t just poetic – it’s practical, too.
12. The ‘what I see in you’ vow
“I see how you care. How you try. How you carry the weight of others without asking for thanks. I see your goodness. Your quiet courage. And I vow to spend my life reminding you of all the things you are — especially when you forget.”
This type of wedding vow turns the focus outward; not on the speaker, but on the person they’re marrying. It’s deeply affirming, and incredibly moving when spoken with intention.
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Writing your own tear-jerker wedding vows
If you’re thinking of writing your own vows and want them to feel personal (and possibly emotional), here are a few tips:
- Start with stories. Think about the moments that shaped your relationship. The ordinary ones. The hilarious ones. The ones no one else knows about. That’s where the magic is.
- Don’t aim for tears; aim for truth. Trying to make your partner cry might feel like pressure. Instead, focus on honesty. The most moving vows are the ones that sound like you.
- Say what you see. Talk about how they show up for you. What you admire. What you’ve learned from them. And what kind of partner you want to be, not just now — but decades from now.
Remember, not every vow needs to bring the house down in tears. Sometimes, the most touching moments are the ones that make people laugh, too. If you’re looking to strike a balance between heartfelt and light-hearted, we’ve also put together a list of funny wedding vows to include in your ceremony.
