When two best friends realized that love stories often got lost in clumsy wedding vows, they decided to help couples say “I do” with eloquence — and built a business that now pays them to do what they love most: write.
Challenge
It all started with a few awkward wedding speeches.
Alicia O. had just earned her master’s degree in creative writing when she found herself attending wedding after wedding. Some were touching, others hilarious — but every so often, she’d witness vows that were rambling, confusing, or so generic they could have belonged to anyone.
As a writer, she couldn’t help but think, I could do better than this.
Soon, her friends started thinking the same thing — and asking for her help. A few reached out in a panic the night before their wedding, begging her to “make it sound romantic but not cheesy.” She’d polish their words, add structure, and make sure every sentence sounded like them.
That’s when it hit her: if friends were asking for this kind of help, surely there were plenty of strangers who’d pay for it too.
After all, people hire florists to arrange flowers and bakers to make cakes — why not hire a writer to craft the perfect vows?
Action
Around the same time, Alicia reconnected with her childhood best friend, Angie, through MySpace (yes, MySpace). When she shared her idea, Angie instantly said “I do,” and together they launched a new side hustle dedicated to making wedding words unforgettable.
They called it Vow Muse.
Since nothing like it existed yet, they had to invent everything from scratch — from pricing to process. After brainstorming, they developed five packages for their clients:
- Custom Wedding Vows – $450
For people who struggle to express their feelings without turning into a Hallmark card. - Specialized Wedding Toasts – $450
For the maid of honor, best man, or parents who want to be funny without being embarrassing. - Complete Custom Ceremony – $700
For couples wanting a fully themed, personalized wedding experience. - Officiating Services – $400
Either Alicia or Angie would officiate the wedding themselves. - All-Inclusive Package – $1,800
Every word of the ceremony written and polished to perfection.
Each project began with an hour-long phone call — a conversation to learn the couple’s story, tone, and voice. This personal approach became their secret weapon. By understanding how people actually spoke, they could craft vows that sounded natural, not scripted.
To reach more couples, they also offered speech reviews for $150 and speech coaching for $200.
They started small — just $40 for a website, a free batch of business cards (paying only for shipping), and plenty of enthusiasm. Then came the challenge: marketing.
Vow Muse got creative. They set up a booth at local bridal expos and offered a quirky activity called “Haiku on Demand” — writing custom poems for attendees on a borrowed typewriter. For just $125 in booth fees, they attracted dozens of curious brides and wedding planners.
They also dropped business cards at every bridal boutique they could find and even handed them directly to women spotted wearing engagement rings. Slowly but surely, their client list began to grow.
Their hustle paid off. Soon, major media outlets took notice — The New York Times, The Daily Mail, and even The Today Show featured their unique service. The exposure helped them rank high on Google, turning their website into a steady source of clients.
Result
In the first six months, Vow Muse earned just $500 — the equivalent of a single project. But after that, things took off.
To date, Alicia and Angie have written for over 300 clients, crafting vows, speeches, and ceremonies that capture the heart of each couple’s story.
The side hustle also became a lifeline for Alicia, who used her earnings to pay for her health insurance while working as a freelance writer.
Now, the duo is expanding beyond one-on-one writing. They’re developing a digital course that teaches couples how to craft their own vows from scratch — a scalable way to grow income without adding more hours.
Lesson
Alicia and Angie’s story is a reminder that traditional skills can thrive in unexpected places. Writing isn’t just for books or blogs — it can transform moments that matter most.
By identifying a niche no one else was serving, they built a business that blends creativity, emotion, and meaning.
Their success also offers a simple takeaway: sometimes, the best side hustles aren’t about starting from scratch — they’re about recognizing when your natural talents can make someone else’s life easier (or more beautiful).
And in this case, those talents helped hundreds of people find the perfect words to say “I do.”
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.