What the?????
Yep, NINJA and WHISPER vows are a thing! As you probably already know, part of the legal process when getting married requires you and your partner to state the legal vows. And there’s always an option to add in personal vows and I’ve written a whole other blog about that!
But, you can also add in some crAzY if that is your style, through what are known in the industry as Ninja Vows, or you can slow it right down and do Whisper Vows.
VOWS, not vowels
But first, let’s get it clear. ‘Vows’ are promises you make to another person and ‘vowels’ are letters of the alphabet, namely A, E, I, O & U. So, if you’re getting married, it’s highly likely you’ll be saying your VOWS not your VOWELS.
ninja vows
Ok, back to Ninja vows. Ninja vows are when you write your partner’s vows, aka promises, and your partner writes yours. That means you will be reading out the promises your partner has written for you and you won’t have seen or heard them before. And yep, they’ll get their turn too when they have to read out the vows you’ve written for them! It’s HILARIOUS!
Shelley and Adrian loved the idea of ninja vows and their good mate Nick and I tag-teamed their ceremony so we both had a front-row seat to the whole shebang!
Above, Shelley couldn’t keep a straight face when she read out what Adrian had written for her!
Shelly and Adrian had decided to have a surprise wedding at their ‘engagement party’ and ninja vows just topped the whole night off perfectly.
Here’s Shelley’s vows written for Adrian:
I will … always let you have the window seat … ALWAYS! [they obviously fly alot]
I promise … to remember that EVERY Thursday night is bin night. [he obviously forgets this on a regular basis]
I love … that you find any opportunity to remind me that I am a little bit older than you. [I’m guessing she reminds him of their age difference quite a bit]
You are … right. Wearing Lycra bike shorts to brunch after a ride isn’t appropriate. You are always right! [Shelly’s obviously told him not to wear those bike shorts when they go out AFTER his ride and he’s questioned her judgement lol]
I want to … spend the rest of our lives being better together. Because we are!
And this is what Adrian wrote for Shelley to read out: (PS she’s a West Coast supporter)
I will … live life to the fullest with you and will always laugh with you or at you.
I love … that you have a great singing voice and I am jealous that you know all the words.
I want … to celebrate a St Kilda premiership with you.
You are … actually taller than I am.
I promise … to grow old with you and when you eventually break, still take you on holidays.
I’ve got one couple currently working on theirs and I’m giving them feedback. Can’t wait to hear them during the ceremony!
whisper vows
I get so many couples telling me they don’t like being the centre of attention and they don’t want to read out personal words with everyone listening and watching. So here’s the thing, whisper vows may just be your answer.
It was important for Mowen and Li that they write promises to each other but they didn’t want everyone else listening in. So, following their legal vows, they leant in to each other and shared those important declarations they wanted to say. No one else heard. I didn’t hear and I asked the guests afterwards what it was like for them and all of them said how moving it was. They weren’t too long and it was a truly special moment for Mowen and Li.
Mowen and Li straight after they shared Whisper Vows at Rocklea Farm.
Venue Higher Ground Melbourne
Cool don’t you think? I love that couples are now choosing to do what suits them and their ceremony-style and if you’d like to know more, comment below or get in touch and I’ll give you the lowdown.
Photography provided by Katie Harmsworth and Emotions & Math Weddings