Writing and reciting your own wedding vows adds a unique and personal feeling to your ceremony. Rather than relying on the same words repeated by millions of couples around the world you are choosing to tell each other what your commitment means in a deeply personal way. However while your commitment to each other may be as solid as a rock, the idea of having to come up with personal, meaningful vows and then speak them in public may strike your heart with terror. Most people's worst fear: What if you forget your vows?

Don't panic!

It might be helpful for you to remember that a vow is simply a promise. It’s a pledge that a couple makes to one another to love and honor each other for a lifetime. It doesn't matter whether you remember your vows word for word; if you find yourself floundering just look into the eyes of your partner and tell them how you honestly feel.

Keep it real.

Take some time to have a discussion with your fiance about what you would like to say to one another. Look for inspiration in a poem or favorite song, or just think about how you met, fun times you shared, or the first time the two of you knew that you’d fallen in love. Those warm and loving memories will help clear away some of the mental clutter that comes with preparing for a wedding. Your vows don’t have to go down a long and winding road and they don’t have to be particularly eloquent or profound; you can choose to simply talk about the little things you love about each other. The more honest and simple your vows, the easier it will be for you to remember them. How could you ever forget the first moment you knew you loved your other half? Or the first time you saw them?

Have a back up plan!

If you are really worried about not remembering your vows, come up with a back up plan. Just knowing that you are not alone up there can ease some of the stress which can play with your memory. Write down what you want to say on an index card and give copies to one of your attendants and your officiant. Ask them to familiarize themselves with your vows too, so that they will quickly know when you are struggling and be able to give you the right prompt.

Practice saying your vows to each other or practice with a friend if you are keeping the vows as a surprise for the wedding. Rehearsing them out loud in your natural voice will help you to remember them.

If you forget your vows when the time comes or stumble over them, here’s the most important thing to remember: you’re not giving a speech or a presenting a book report. You are speaking from your heart to someone who will be speaking from their heart as well.