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 but looking for alternative vows with a more literary lean – well, here ya go!
Some wedding vows – Victor Hugo style!
Alternative Wedding Vows or Readings: Victor Hugo Edition
From “Les Misérables”
To love another person is to see the face of God.
From the Author
The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.
From “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”
When I had seen you twice, I wanted to see you a thousand times, I wanted to see you always.
From “Les Misérables”
The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.
From “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”
“Do you know what friendship is?” he asked.
“Yes,' replied the gypsy; “it is to be brother and sister; two souls which touch without mingling, two fingers on one hand.”
“And love?” pursued Gringoire.
“Oh! love!” said she, and her voice trembled, and her eye beamed. “That is to be two and to be but one. A man and a woman mingled into one angel. It is heaven.”
From “Les Misérables”
Promise to give me a kiss on my brow when I am dead. –I shall feel it.
From “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”
Love is like a tree: it grows by itself, roots itself deeply in our being and continues to flourish over a heart in ruin. The inexplicable fact is that the blinder it is, the more tenacious it is. It is never stronger than when it is completely unreasonable.
From “Les Misérables”
How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said.
From the Author
What Is Love? I have met in the streets a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, the water passed through his shoes and the stars through his soul.
How many of you are looking to incorporate some alternative vow wordings or readings in to your wedding ceremony?
Leave a Reply