Wedding Vows on Wood: Keepsakes From the Words You Actually Said

Most people can't remember much of what was said at their wedding. They remember how it felt, but the words go by quickly. Vows are the one part of the day that was written for just two people, and engraved on wood they turn into something you can read every day.

Why vows make a better keepsake than a quote

A quote from a song or a book is nice, but it belongs to everybody. Your own vows belong to you. Hanging them on the wall of your home makes a small, private reminder of what you promised each other.

How much of the vows can we fit?

A few lines to a short paragraph works best, depending on the size of the piece. A full set of long vows can fit on a large board, but the lettering gets small. If your vows are long, pick the lines that mean the most or split the two sets onto two matching pieces.

Should it be typed or handwritten?

Both look good, and they feel different. Typed text is clean and easy to read. Handwritten text keeps the original handwriting, which makes it feel more personal. If you wrote your vows by hand, take a clear photo of the page and send it to us.

Does it have to be a private keepsake?

It doesn't have to be hidden away, but it can be. Some couples hang their vows in the bedroom or on the side of a dresser where only they see them. Others give a set of vows to a parent as a gift. It's up to the two of you.

Can it be a first anniversary gift?

Yes. Many couples have the vows engraved and keep them until the first anniversary. A wood piece also fits the traditional gift for year five, which is wood.

What material should you pick?

Walnut gives a dark, rich look, and lighter woods like maple and cherry have more contrast. Slate looks sharp and modern. Tell us the color of your home and we'll help you choose.

If you have your vows, send them over with the size you're thinking, and we'll sketch out how it looks before anything is cut.