They say it’s not about how you start, but how you finish. And that applies to your wedding vows too!

As officiants with over a decade of experience who have literally written the book on wedding vows, we know how important the words you say at your ceremony are. Not only are your vows an impactful moment for you, your partner and your guests, but they also form the foundation of your marriage.

One area of the wedding vows that doesn’t get nearly enough attention is the ending. A lot of couples wonder how to start their vows and what promises to make (don’t worry, we can help you out with those too). But you don’t want to fumble the ending, leave your guests and partner confused, or mess up all the hard work you did on the beginning and middle.

Below we’ll walk you through exactly how to end your wedding vows, why the end of vows are so important, and share some examples of the best ways to end your vows at your wedding ceremony.

PS: Don’t miss our FREE Vow Writing Cheat Sheet! 

 

Kaho and Jade exchanging vows at their Bloedel Conservatory wedding, how to end your wedding vows, Erica Miller Photography

by Erica Miller Photography

How to end vows

In our vow writing guide, we share five steps to writing your vows. The ending of your vows comes in steps four and five.

So you’ll end your vows with a summarizing knowing statement and then finish with a closing statement.

The knowing statement

The knowing statement comes after you’ve made all of your promises – all of the sentences that start with “I will…”, “I promise…” or “I vow…” Now that you’ve made those promises, it’s time to wrap everything up with a summary or knowing statement.

This statement ties your vows together. It speaks to the truth of your relationship, where you two are and where you’re going. It should hit on the main theme of your promises or something important you want to share. It should answer the question, “What do you know about your relationship?”

Here are a few examples:

  • No matter what life has in store for us, I know our love will only continue to grow.
  • I believe in the truth of what we are.
  • I love you for who you are today and who you will become tomorrow.
  • I know life will not always be easy, but together, we can make it through anything.

The closing statement

Your knowing statement wraps up your vows and your closing statement comes in as the final cherry on top. Think of this as the “amen” part of a prayer or the “and they all lived happily ever after” part of a fairytale.

Your closing statement should be short and sweet. By this point, you’ve said everything you want to say – you’ve complimented your partner, made promises to them and summed up what you know about your relationship. Now you want to end things off with a short statement that solidifies your love.

Here are some examples:

  • This is my promise to you, now and forever.
  • I will love you for every moment of our lives together.
  • In case I haven’t told you yet, you have my heart and my soul, forever.
  • Thank you for choosing me. I love you.

PS: Now you know how to end your vows, but what about how to start? Don’t miss our tips for how to start your wedding vows!

Nicholas and Brandon sharing vows, Erica Miller Photography

by Erica Miller Photography

Why the ending of your wedding vows is so important

While the most important part of your vows is the actual vows – the promises you are making to your partner for your marriage together – we’d argue that the ending is also a pretty vital part.

If you just end your vows with your last promise, it can feel unfinished. Your partner and your guests may be unsure if you’re actually done or if you have more to say. It’d be like stopping a book with one chapter to go.

Skipping the ending can also feel hurried – like you didn’t leave yourself enough time to write proper vows. That’s definitely not the impression you want to give your partner!

So take the time to wrap up your vows properly. Your partner deserves to feel all of your love until the last word of your vows. Leave them with a sentiment that you know they’ll appreciate hearing.

You also want to leave your guests with a satisfying ending. This is the last feeling you give them in your own words.

You want a vow ending that has your guests smiling, crying happy tears and saying, “Aw, wasn’t that sweet?” You don’t want an ending that leaves them confused, turning to one another and whispering, “Wait, is that it?”

Jean and Patrik exchanging vows in the forest with Young Hip & Married

by Erica Miller Photography

15 examples of how to end your wedding vows

All right, we’ve talked you through how to structure the end of your vows and why the ending is so important. But in case you need some more inspiration, check out the examples below!

  1. I know that life’s challenges will only bring us closer together. With all my love, I choose you today and always.
  2. No matter what comes our way, I believe in the power of our love. You have my heart and soul, forever.
  3. Every moment spent with you is a treasure I will cherish. I promise to love you endlessly.
  4. I know our journey will be filled with both joy and sorrow, but together we will embrace it all. This is my lifelong promise to you.
  5. With you by my side, I’m certain we can create a beautiful life. I commit my heart to you for eternity.
  6. Through life’s ups and downs, our love will remain steadfast. I vow to stand by you, now and forever.
  7. Each day with you is a gift I will never take for granted. With all that I am, I choose you for life.
  8. Together, we can overcome any obstacle life presents. This is my promise to support and cherish you always.
  9. I know our love story is just beginning, and I can’t wait to write the next chapters with you. This is my solemn vow.
  10. The laughter we share will fill our home and our hearts. This is my vow to love you through every season.
  11. I know that together, we are stronger than any challenge we might face. I pledge my heart to you for all time.
  12. With every day, my love for you grows deeper. This is my vow to be your partner and your best friend.
  13. Each new chapter of our lives will bring us closer. I commit to stand by you in every adventure for the rest of our lives.
  14. In you, I have found my forever. I pledge to love you deeply, today and always.
  15. I know our hearts are perfectly matched, creating a bond that is unbreakable. This is my vow to you, now and for all the days ahead.

Discover all of our vow resources

We consider ourselves vow experts here at Young Hip & Married! Check out some of our blog posts, courses and free guides for everything you need to write the best vows ever: