Find out exactly how long your vows or speech will take to read aloud — then practise until it feels natural.
Officiants recommend 1–2 minutes for wedding vows
Start a guided reading and follow along word by word at your chosen pace.
Most people read about 10–20% faster when they're nervous, which means a two-minute vow can easily come out in under ninety seconds. Practising at a measured pace trains your muscle memory so you slow down when it counts.
Emotional pauses, audience reactions, and the odd glance at your partner all add seconds that a word count can't capture. Knowing your baseline length means you can allow for those moments without running over.
Sharing your timing with the person leading the ceremony helps them plan the order of events and avoid awkward gaps or a rushed ending. A well-timed vow keeps the whole day on track.
Our Vow Story helps you manage guests, budget, suppliers, and your timeline — all in one place.