Alternative Wedding Vows or Readings: Maya Angelou Edition

Let me tell you, one of the hardest things about planning my own wedding was trying to write the wedding ceremony. I was not a fan of the traditional vows (I obey no one but myself thankyouverymuch) and really wanted to find something that reflected our concept of what we wanted our relationship to be. If you're in the same boat and looking for alternative vows here's a few with a more literary lean from the late Maya Angelou.

Let me tell you, one of the hardest things about planning my own wedding was trying to write the wedding ceremony. I was not a fan of the traditional vows (I obey no one but myself thankyouverymuch) and really wanted to find something that reflected our concept of what we wanted our relationship to be. If you're in the same boat and looking for alternative vows here's a few with a more literary lean from the late Maya Angelou.

Image Courtesy of: Kelly Prizel

Love Liberates

I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates. It doesn't just hold—that's ego. Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, "I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go."

Courage to Accept Love

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.

No Barriers

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

Returning Love

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.

Be a Rainbow

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

Succeeding

If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.

How many of you are looking to incorporate some alternative vow wordings or readings in to your wedding ceremony? You can find other alternative vows and readings here.