Private Vow Reading

The official vows are done before the officiant and would be a technical obligation for his to observe your sharing of at least the basic vows.

You could share vows with an alternative to the first-look. Basically, you meet together but in a fashion where you remain hidden but perhaps extend your hand to your fiancé's. One example of this involved a door standing out of the ground and the bride on one side and her fiancé on the other. I this could also be done with you inside a building and your partner outside, but that does not make as nice of a picture. lol.

I’ve seen people who have done this on opposite sides of a wall or a door. And they are some of the sweetest photos!

My husband and I did a back to back reading of our vows/letters to each other before our ceremony. It was awesome and made for really sweet pictures. We had our photographer and videographer help get us set up so that we didn’t see each other.

Maybe have a private moment the night before you get married. No one else. Just have it be something that is real and heartfelt.

You can pray, speak, laugh, cry, get some of the nervousness out, cuddle, watch a sunset, etc.