The Journal · October 11, 2026
What Are Vow Books, and Do You Need Them?
Vow books are small, hardcover books that hold the wedding vows you read aloud at your ceremony, usually made as a matching pair, one for each of you. You do not strictly need them, since vows can be read from a phone or a folded card, but a vow book looks calmer in your hands and in your photos, and it keeps the exact words you promised long after the day is over.
Below, we walk through what vow books are, why couples choose them, how to pick one, and what to do with them once the ceremony ends.
What exactly is a vow book?
A vow book is a keepsake notebook made for a single purpose: carrying your vows to the altar. Most are pocket-sized so they rest easily in one hand while the other holds your partner's. Couples typically order two, often labeled "Her Vows" and "His Vows," "Bride" and "Groom," or simply with each person's name or initials.
Inside, the pages are usually blank. You write your vows by hand in the days before the wedding, then read from the book during the ceremony. Afterward, the remaining pages can hold anniversary notes, letters to each other, or the vows you renew years later.
Vow books vs. vow cards
Vow cards are single printed or handwritten cards. They are simple and inexpensive, but they tend to get creased in a pocket and lost in a drawer. A vow book has a hardcover that protects the page, gives your hands something steady to hold, and is made to be kept. If you want your vows to become part of your family record, a book is the more lasting choice.
Do you really need vow books?
Need is a strong word. Plenty of couples read their vows from a phone or recite them from memory. Still, there are good reasons many couples decide a vow book is worth having.
- Your photos. The moment you read your vows is one of the most photographed of the day. A linen book reads as part of the ceremony, while a glowing phone screen tends to pull the eye.
- Your nerves. Holding something with a little weight helps steady the hands. Many people find it easier to slow down and look up between lines when reading from a page.
- Your memory. Phones get replaced and files get lost. A book on a shelf is still there in twenty years, in your own handwriting.
- Your officiant. A small book is easy to hand off before the ceremony and pass back at the right moment, which keeps the processional uncluttered.
If you plan to write personal vows rather than repeat traditional ones, a vow book is especially useful. It gives the words you wrote a proper home. If you are still drafting them, start with a few honest lines about who your partner is to you, then the promises you want to keep.
What to look for when choosing vow books
Vow books range from simple paper notebooks to heirloom pieces. A few details make the difference between something you use once and something you keep.
Size
Smaller is usually better for the ceremony itself. An A6 book, about 3.9 by 5.7 inches, fits comfortably in one hand and in a jacket pocket. Couples who want room for longer vows, letters or photographs inside sometimes choose A5, about 5.7 by 8.1 inches. A4 is generally too large to hold at the altar, though it works well as a shared anniversary journal.
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A6 | 3.9 × 5.7 in | Reading at the ceremony, carrying in a pocket |
| A5 | 5.7 × 8.1 in | Longer vows, letters and notes kept after the wedding |
| A4 | 8.1 × 11.4 in | A shared journal for anniversaries rather than the ceremony |
Cover material
Paper covers scuff easily. Faux leather can feel stiff in photographs. Linen has a soft texture, photographs beautifully in natural light, and ages gently. A linen hardcover also matches well with other wedding keepsakes, such as a guest book or photo album, if you want the pieces to feel like a set.
Printed or embroidered
Many vow books are printed or foil stamped. Embroidery is stitched directly into the linen with thread, so the lettering has depth you can feel under your fingers and does not rub off with handling. Because every PARACELART book is embroidered to order, the names, initials and date on the cover are stitched for you specifically. Not printed. Stitched.
Personalization
Think about what you want on each cover. Common choices include:
- "Her Vows" and "His Vows," or "Bride" and "Groom"
- Each person's first name
- Your shared initials, for example "A + M"
- Your wedding date beneath the initials
- A small motif, such as a floral heart wreath, a laurel crown or a simple monogram
Matching covers with different labels make the pair feel like a set while still giving each of you your own book.
How to use vow books on your wedding day
- Write your vows in the book a few days early. Use a pen that will not bleed through the page, and leave a little space between sections so you can find your place if you pause.
- Read them aloud at least once. Practice from the book itself so the page layout feels familiar.
- Give the books to someone you trust. Your officiant, a member of the wedding party, or your planner can hold them until it is time.
- Hold the book low. Keeping it around chest height lets the photographer see both your face and your partner's.
- Close it and hand it back. After you read, pass the book to your officiant or attendant so your hands are free for the ring exchange.
If you are writing your vows privately and want them to stay a surprise, keep each book separate until the ceremony and ask your attendants to do the same.
What to do with your vow books after the wedding
This is where a well-made vow book earns its place. Once the day is over, a few traditions help the books stay part of your marriage rather than sitting in a box.
- Read them on each anniversary. Some couples take turns reading their vows aloud every year.
- Write a note on the next page. A few lines each anniversary turns the book into a quiet record of your years together.
- Keep them with your other wedding keepsakes. Shelve them beside your guest book and photo album so they stay together.
- Use them for a vow renewal. If you renew your vows later, the blank pages are waiting for the new words.
Because linen and embroidery need very little care, keeping the books dry and out of direct sunlight is usually enough to keep them looking as they did on the day.
Timing: when to order vow books
Since each embroidered book is made after you order, plan for the making time before your date. At PARACELART, embroidery takes 5 to 7 business days, and shipping within the US takes another 5 to 7 business days, so allow roughly two to three weeks in total. Ordering two to three months before the wedding, and no later than six weeks out, leaves time to write your vows in the book without rushing.
You can browse our full range of embroidered linen vow books, including designs such as the Floral Heart Personalized Wedding Vow Books with a blush rose and daisy heart wreath, or the Golden Laurel His & Her Vow Books for a more classic monogram. If you would like your guest book and vow books to match, the wedding collection brings them together in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Do both partners need a vow book?
Most couples order a matching pair so each person reads from their own book, but it is not required. If only one of you is writing personal vows, or you prefer to share a single book, one is enough.
What size should vow books be?
A6, about 3.9 by 5.7 inches, is the most practical size for reading at the ceremony. Choose A5 if you want more room for longer vows or letters after the wedding.
Should we write our vows in the book before the wedding?
Yes. Writing them in by hand a few days ahead lets you practice from the page and keeps the morning of the wedding calm. Use a pen that does not bleed through the paper.
How far ahead should we order embroidered vow books?
Allow two to three weeks for embroidery and US shipping. Ordering two to three months before the wedding, and no later than six weeks out, gives you time to write in the books comfortably.
Can vow books be used for a vow renewal?
Yes. The blank pages left after your wedding vows are a natural place to write renewed vows years later, which keeps both sets of promises in one book.