Regardless of your religious affiliation and whether you're planning a church or outdoor ceremony, there are ways in which you can personalize your marriage vows to make them more meaningful for you. As with all your ceremony plans, be sure to discuss your ideas for marriage vows with your officiant.

The following list incorporates some ideas that you might want to consider when planning your marriage vows:

♦     You and your fiancé could write your own personal marriage vows and keep them secret from one another until the actual ceremony.

♦     Incorporate your guests and family members into your vows by acknowledging their presence at the ceremony.

♦     Describe what you most cherish about your partner and what you hope for in the future together.

♦     Describe your commitment to and love for one another.

♦     Discuss your feelings and beliefs about marriage.

♦     If both of you has children from a previous marriage, mention these children in your vows and discuss your mutual love for and commitment to them.