How to write your own vows?

Many of my celebrants choose to write their own vows. I actually encourage it! It is a lovely way to demonstrate the love and commitment you share. The vows do not need to be lengthy; keep them short, sweet and speak from the heart. I am often asked, “How do we start?” 
Well, I’ve put together a quick guide that’s guaranteed to make your vow writing easy!

• Don’t over think it!

Speak from the heart. You love the way he looks at you when he says I love you, mention it. She has a special way of easing your mind in crisis situations, mention it. You enjoy goofing around and being relaxed on the weekends, mention it. These vows are meant to be a reflection your relationship and what you love so much about your partner. That’s it. Please keep in mind the word vow means solemn promise so maybe consider using the words, “I promise to…”

• Simple and sweet

I recommend 200 words or less. Like many of us, when we talk about the person we love, we could go on and on; this isn’t a bad thing. But for simplicity and time sake I recommend keeping your vows under 200 words. This will force you to highlight the best parts and the reason you decided to get married in the first place. Write them down. No one expects you to remember them. If a word limit isn’t your style put a time limit on it, I suggest 1-2 minutes max.

• Don’t overshare

I’m sure that “one time” while on vacation stories are funny and insightful but do you really need to rehash it on your wedding day, in front of your family, standing at the altar? Probably not. It’s important to remember those funny little moments during the writing process, but your Aunt Sue doesn’t need to know about “that one time at band camp.” Feel free to share a quote or a song lyric that speaks from the heart or has meaning to you both.

• Practice makes perfect

Anytime you are doing public speaking it is important to read aloud the content you are sharing at least three times. This will help you to keep the sincere sound you desire and also keep you from stumbling over your words. Sometimes when we read words aloud we bring awareness to potential need for edits that make the content flow more fluently. Remember to pause, look up and breathe. In the moment you will be nervous but if you have practiced in the mirror a few times it will help you to focus on the words and your spouse.
 
In closing, theknot.com has provided an excellent list of questions to consider when you are starting this process. I have listed them here for your convenience:

1. Why did you decide to get married?
2. What hard times have you gone through together?
3. What have you supported each other through?
4. What challenges do you envision in your future?
5. What do you want to accomplish together?
6. What makes your relationship tick?
7. What did you think when you first saw your fiancé?
8. When did you realize you were in love?
9. What do you most respect about your partner?
10. How has your life gotten better since meeting your mate?
11. What about them inspires you?
12. What do you miss most about them when you're apart?
13. What qualities do you most admire in one another?

 
Run to an Elopement Honored For Excellence With 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award®

Columbus, Ohio – January 18, 2017 – WeddingWire, the leading global online marketplace for the wedding and event industry, announced Run to an Elopement as a winner of the esteemed 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® for  Wedding Officiants in Columbus!
                       
The Couples’ Choice Awards recognize the top five percent of wedding professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. The prestigious awards are given to the top local wedding professionals across more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year.
                       
The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Run to an Elopement.  Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.
                       
“The Couples’ Choice Awards’ ninth year features one of the most impressive groups of dedicated and acclaimed wedding professionals yet,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “It is our honor to work with high-caliber merchants, such as Run to an Elopement who not only make a couple's big day possible, but also contribute to the more than 2.5 million U.S. reviews represented on WeddingWire.  We congratulate all of this year's winners on their achievements.”
                       
 As a Couples’ Choice Awards® winner, Run to an Elopement is highlighted on WeddingWire, which is comprised of more than 200,000 wedding professionals in the U.S.
                        
 Run to an Elopement is thrilled to be one of the top Wedding Officiants in Columbus on WeddingWire. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We truly value all of our clients and appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn a 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award.
                       
For more information about Run to an Elopement please visit our website today at www.runtoanelopement.com
                       
To learn more about the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.
                       
About WeddingWire, Inc.
 WeddingWire, Inc. is the leading global online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals. Operating within a $200 billion industry, WeddingWire, Inc. hosts 10 million monthly unique users across its mobile and web platforms. Consumers around the world are able to read over 3 million vendor reviews and search, compare and book from a database of over 400,000 businesses globally. It provides these businesses the technology they need to serve their clients through advertising, marketing and business management tools such as websites, payment processing, invoicing and contracts. Founded in 2007, the WeddingWire portfolio of sites serves couples and businesses across 15 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, making it the worldwide leader in weddings with brands including Bodas.net, Casamentos.com.br, Matrimonio.com and more. The company employs more than 800 and maintains global headquarters in Washington, DC and international headquarters in Barcelona, Spain. 

I support LGBTQ

Hello!  Welcome to Run to an Elopement’s newest addition—the blog.  This first topic is very near and dear to me, as a child of persons who identify with the LGBTQ community; I believe it is super-duper important that everyone understands how I feel about performing LGBTQ weddings or as I like to call them weddings. I’m not a huge fan of dividing people by using unnecessary words.

For the last year I have been hesitant to address this topic. The list of reasons are long and plentiful like many of my LGBTQ counterparts, but the bottom line is that we are all HUMANS. Like many supporters of the LGBTQ community I feared backlash from outside, closed minded individuals.  During one of my meditation sessions it came to me that I need to address the pink er….rainbow elephant in the room and be LOUD AND PROUD.

I want you to know:
1. I am an ally and I support the LGBTQ community;
2. Equality for all is a credence that I carry daily;
3. Same-sex couples are just couples to me; I respect the desire to have that “perfect fairy tale moment” in their lives.

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED.
Love knows no boundaries. My mission is to ensure all of “my” celebrants feel comfortable and carefree on their wedding day. I have married several same-sex couples and I always find a sense of relief in their voices when they announce during our first telephone call that they are a “gay” couple to which I immediately respond, “PERFECT!” In that moment, the whole tone of the conversation shifts to one of relief.  I immediately wonder, “Has this poor couple been discriminated against?” “Rejected by their peers?” “Told NO!?”  It is alarming to me that in 2017 people are still not being accepted for who they are. Here at Run to an Elopement you will never feel like you “don’t belong.”  There will never be a reason for you to remain silent.  I want you to be LOUD and PROUD and would love to help you celebrate and honor the loving committed couple that you are.