Beyond 'I' and 'You': The Unexpected Pronoun to Omit from your Vows

To say I'm pro-pronouns would be putting it mildly. So it may come as a surprise that there is one pronoun that I firmly believe should be banished from vows! The personal pronoun Mine.

And here's why.

While choosing the right words for your vows is super personal, thinking about how those words come together to paint a picture of love, partnership, and mutual respect can really level up your vow game. They're not just words; they're promises, feelings, and dreams all wrapped up in one. They impact both the message and the tone you wish to convey to your partner, to your friends and loved ones. Now, you might think slipping in a "mine" here and there is no biggie—it's just a way to show how much your partner means to you, right? But hear me out, there are some pretty compelling reasons to think outside the box on this one.

1. It has negative implications

Your choice of the words you use in your wedding vows is deeply personal, but no-one wants to unintentionally send an unfortunate message. A simple word swap can avoid the possibility of your guests picking up on the negatives hidden in particular words and make all the difference to enhancing the love, partnership, and mutual respect you wish to convey,

2. It is possessive

As one would expect, a possessive pronoun implies possession! The days where one partner in a marriage was owned by the other - both legally and in the view of society - are long gone. Avoiding First up, "mine" and focusing on words like "ours" or "we" can take your vows from meh to wow. Why? By highlighting the whole "together" vibe, you're shouting out that this is a partnership of equals, all about supporting and lifting each other up. And let's be real, that's the kind of energy we're all here for. Because marriage is all about the team effort. It's you and your partner against the world, sharing everything from pizza to dreams. Using mine (even if expressing disbelief, such as in I can't believe that you are mine), can unintentionally convey a sense of possession rather than partnership. Easy suggestion: say something like I will never stop feeling lucky to be sharing my life with you.

3. It gets in the way of expressing genuine commitment

Then, there's the whole commitment angle. Steering clear of the "mine" mindset puts the spotlight on what really matters: the promise to stick by each other, through thick and thin, Netflix binges and family dinners. It's about choosing each other, every day, in every way. By framing your vows around the commitments you are making to support, respect, and cherish each other, rather than what you consider to be yours, you emphasise the actions and choices that build a strong, healthy relationship.This shift in focus from possessing to committing makes your vows a powerhouse of love and dedication.

4. It's limiting

And here's the kicker: ditching "mine" opens up a whole new world of expressing your love in more creative and heartfelt ways, to diving deep into what makes your relationship special. From the inside jokes that have you both cracking up to the dreams you're hustling for together, it's a chance to show off the unique blend of love, laughter, and loyalty that's all your own. Plus, it'll hit right in the feels for everyone lucky enough to hear your vows.