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- My husband and I stuck to traditional vows on our wedding day. 3 years later, I still regret that decision. (businessinsider.com)
Bridal Regrets: Why I Wish I’d Written My Own Vows
My husband and I had a small, intimate wedding in 2022, right in the thick of the pandemic. While the smaller guest list was partly due to safety concerns, it was also exactly what we wanted. Looking back, there’s one major thing I would change: I wish I had written my own vows.
I wasn’t a bridezilla by any stretch, but I did have a vision. My son walking me down the aisle was a must-have (I was a single mom when I met my husband), and more than anything, I wanted our wedding to feel like ours.
Unfortunately, wedding planning became a series of concessions. Everyone, from family to random acquaintances, seemed to have an opinion about what we should be doing. We just wanted a simple celebration, but the constant input added stress.
One of my biggest desires was to write personalized vows. However, as the big day approached, my husband seemed overwhelmed by the prospect.
His father, our officiant, also suggested sticking to the traditional script. Wanting to alleviate my husband’s stress and tired of battling everyone’s expectations, I caved.
In the moment, it felt like the right decision. Getting married was the ultimate goal, right?
But now, three years later, I realize how clouded my judgment was by stress. My biggest regret is not pushing for those personalized vows.
While I know my husband was likely intimidated by the thought of public speaking, I believe he would have supported my wishes if I’d emphasized their importance to me. Compromise is crucial in marriage, but this felt like a significant concession on my part.
This regret has actually become a source of strength in our marriage. It reminds me to prioritize our needs and desires, and it’s sparked countless conversations about our feelings for each other.
I often find myself daydreaming about what I would have said at the altar, which has become a beautiful, ongoing expression of my love for my husband. It’s more romantic than a single recitation on our wedding day – it’s a continuous love letter woven into the fabric of our lives.