how long should vows be

Wedding vows should ideally be between 2 and 3 minutes per person, which is roughly 250 to 300 words. This length allows enough time to express love and meaningful promises without losing the attention of guests. Vows can go as short as 1 minute or as long as 4 minutes if necessary, but exceeding this risks losing engagement. Many experts suggest keeping vows concise, heartfelt, and focused on the essential promises, with any additional personal expressions saved for letters or speeches outside the ceremony. This timeframe balances emotional impact and audience comfort during the wedding ceremony.