Wedding Vows: An Overview

Navigation Menu

Your vows can be traditional, modern, spiritual, or uniquely your own.

Maybe you've thought "We'd like to write our own vows.", but then thought "Where do we begin?" Or perhaps you're looking for sample wedding vows.

In either case, this Web Site is for you. The most important things to remember are that it is your wedding ceremony and you're in charge, and that I'm here to help you!

In addition to the information about writing your own vows on the Our Own Wedding Vows Page (including Children's Vows), the sample wedding vows on the Sample Wedding Vows Page, and the Wedding Ring Vows Page, I will help you in person, by phone, or via email.

Wedding Vow Basics

"Can you just say 'I do' or do you have to repeat the marriage vow?"

You have three basic options when it comes to your vows: Speak your vows yourselves, repeat your vows after your celebrant, or say "I do" when your celebrant asks you "Do you ...?" questions. There are sample wedding vows of each style.

Speaking your marriage vows

(Celebrant:) "Celebrating the uniting of two people in this way proclaims in public what was decided in the private corners of the heart. It proclaims the couple's belief that they are meant to be together, and that they are ready to embrace the future together. Kim and Lee wish to pledge their vows to each other before us today."

(Lee:) "I, Lee, take you, Kim, to be my equal partner in love, life, and law, today, tomorrow, and forever. I promise to treat you with dignity, respect your need to be alone at times, help you when you need help, and turn to your first when I need help."

(Kim:) "I, Kim, take you, Lee, to be my equal partner in love, life, and law, today, tomorrow, and forever. I promise to share your joy and sorrow, to help you heal when the world wounds you, and to help you find beauty in everything."

Lee and Kim's vows answer the question "Do we have to say the same wedding vows?" They said the same first sentence, then each spoke a unique vow from the heart.

It is best to have your vows written or printed, even if you plan on memorizing them. You're bound to be nervous and may temporarily forget what you'd planned to say.

Repeating your vows

(Celebrant:) Ethan, please repeat after me. "I, Ethan, take you, Jenny,"
(Ethan:) "I, Ethan, take you, Jenny,"
(Celebrant:) " to be my lawfully wedded wife."
(Ethan:) " to be my lawfully wedded wife."
(Celebrant:) "To have and to hold,"
(Ethan:) "To have and to hold,"
(Celebrant:) " from this day forward,"
(Ethan:) " from this day forward,"
(Celebrant:) " until death do us part."
(Ethan:) " until death do us part."

(Celebrant:) Jenny, please repeat after me. "I, Jenny, take you, Ethan,"
(Jenny:) "I, Jenny, take you, Ethan,"
(Celebrant:) " to be my lawfully wedded husband."
(Jenny:) " to be my lawfully wedded husband."
(Celebrant:) "To have and to hold,"
(Jenny:) "To have and to hold,"
(Celebrant:) " from this day forward,"
(Jenny:) " from this day forward,"
(Celebrant:) " until death do us part."
(Jenny:) " until death do us part."

Saying "I do"

Saying "I do" is what most people think of when they think about taking vows or swearing an oath. For simplicity it's hard to beat, and even when overcome with emotion it is usually easy to say.

You can respond to each individual question, ...

(Celebrant:) "Do you, John, take Ginger to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
(John:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her throughout your lives?"
(John:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to respect, comfort, and keep her, in sickness and in health?"
(John:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to share your joys and sorrows, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to her alone?"
(John:) "I do."

(Celebrant:) "Do you, Ginger, take John to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
(Ginger:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him throughout your lives?"
(Ginger:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to respect, comfort, and keep him, in sickness and in health?"
(Ginger:) "I do."
(Celebrant:) "Do you promise to share your joys and sorrows, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to him alone?"
(Ginger:) "I do."

... or you can respond once to all the questions,

(Celebrant:) "Do you, Luke, take Betsy to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you swear before God and this company that you will love, honor, cherish, respect, and comfort her, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to share your joys and sorrows, help her when she needs help and turn to her first when you need help, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to her alone?"
(Luke:) "I do."

(Celebrant:) "Do you, Betsy, take Luke to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you swear before God and this company that you will love, honor, cherish, respect, and comfort him, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to share your joys and sorrows, help him when he needs help and turn to him first when you need help, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to him alone?"
(Betsy:) "I do."

Back to top of Page

---

Wedding Ring Vows

If one or both of you are going to give and receive a ring, you will probably have two sets of vows during your wedding.

Of the two, the ring vows will probably be the simpler. Because ring vows are so different from your other wedding vows, there is a Wedding Ring Vows Page.

Back to top of Page

Write your own Wedding Vows   —   Sample Wedding Vows   —   Wedding Ring Vows