“Esther Perel Explains Why Wedding Vows Evolved with Society“ -- The New Yorker, 2019, 7:37 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oWM07jA0c

Wedding vows are a ritual in marriage ceremonies. They are highly emotional but also filled with values, expectations, and traditions. This video examines how wedding vows have evolved to match our modern construction of loved-based marriages. Historically, marriage was an institution primarily characterized by continuing family lineage and economic security (especially for women). Yet as marriage transitioned into something based on love rather than necessity, vows changed to reflect the idea of a soul mate. Unfortunately, many modern vows seem ripped from social media feeds or formulaic to the point where the audience tunes out. Fortunately, you can hire a vow writing expert to make your vows appear more authentic and interesting. This video also emphasizes the imperfection of marriages and encourages us to be open to mishaps in our relationships. “Happily ever after” sounds nice, but being realistic may be more meaningful.

Why do professional vow-writers exist nowadays? How do you think vows will continue to evolve in the future? What other rituals are involved in marriage ceremonies?

From the video’s description: The relationship expert Esther Perel, along with a professional wedding-vow writer, explains the evolution of vows, and why the best ones embrace marriage in all its imperfections.