The traditional wedding vow exchange—spoken in front of family and friends at the altar—has long been a cornerstone of wedding ceremonies.
But in 2025, more couples are choosing to keep this moment deeply personal and private, shifting away from public declarations in favour of a more intimate, meaningful experience.
IMAGE: ALIce mahran
17 FEBRUARY 2025
IMAGE: ABIGAIL LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY
From private vow readings before the ceremony to written exchanges in secluded moments, this trend is all about focusing on the connection between the couple rather than making a performance out of their most heartfelt promises.
Why Private Vows Are Gaining Popularity: Modern weddings are increasingly personalised and reflective of each couple’s values, and for many, the idea of sharing deeply personal vows in front of a large audience feels daunting. Rather than feeling pressured to craft the perfect speech for their guests, couples are choosing to exchange vows in private settings—just the two of them. This shift also reflects a larger movement towards intentional, curated experiences. With weddings being such public affairs, private vows offer a rare moment of intimacy in the midst of a highly social, often overwhelming day. It’s a way to step away from the crowd, embrace the moment, and focus solely on each other.
Creative Ways Couples Are Making Their Vow Exchange More Personal: Private vows don’t always follow a set formula. Some couples are making this moment their own by choosing creative, intimate settings that feel authentic to their relationship. Here are some of the most popular ways couples are reimagining their vow exchange:
Pre-Ceremony Vows: Many couples are choosing to exchange private vows during their first look, away from the eyes of their guests, allowing for a deeply personal moment before the official ceremony begins.
Written Letters: Instead of speaking their vows, some couples write heartfelt letters to each other, which they read silently before the ceremony.
Post-Ceremony Vows: After the wedding, some couples sneak away for a private moment, reading their vows to each other once the guests have exited.
Casual & Comfortable Settings: Some prefer to exchange vows in sweats over morning coffee, during a quiet beach walk, or even curled up on the couch days before or after the wedding, making it a truly personal experience.
Balancing Intimacy With The Wedding Experience: While private vows create a special and sacred moment between couples, they do raise the question—what about the guests? For those who still want to include their loved ones in the storytelling aspect of their wedding, officiants are stepping in to share the couple’s journey in a meaningful way. Without revealing the private vows themselves, officiants can craft a narrative that reflects the couple’s love story, ensuring that guests still feel emotionally connected to the ceremony.
Another way couples are keeping guests engaged is by incorporating shortened, more traditional vows during the ceremony while reserving their more personal promises for a private exchange. This way, guests still witness a meaningful commitment, while the couple retains a deeply personal moment just for themselves.
Why This Wedding Trend Is Here To Stay: As weddings continue to evolve, couples are prioritising experiences that feel authentic, intentional, and deeply meaningful. The move towards private vows reflects a larger trend of redefining traditions—making weddings less about performative moments and more about personal connection.
At The Bridal Journey, we love seeing how couples are embracing new ways to celebrate love in a way that feels right for them. Whether spoken in front of hundreds or whispered in private, the beauty of wedding vows lies in their meaning—not in their audience.
