Traditional Wedding Vows – Samples for your Ceremony
If you’re engaged to be married, then you’ve likely got a lot of planning to attend to. You will need to set a date, find a location, plan the details of the wedding and reception, choose a dress and of course, select your wedding vows.
Traditional and Custom Wedding Vows
While some couples choose to write their own vows, others prefer traditional wedding vows.
Traditional Wedding Vows
Here is a sample of the most traditional of vow choices that can be modified to suit your ceremony:
(MINISTER) Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honor. Into this holy agreement these two persons come together to be joined. If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Marriage is a sacred union between husband and wife and shall remain unbroken. It is the basis of a stable and loving relationship and is a joining of two hearts, bodies and souls. The husband and wife are there to support one another and provide love and care in times of joy and times of adversity.
We are all here today to witness the joining in wedded bliss of (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name.) This joyous day celebrates the commitment and love with which (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name) start their lives together. Through God, you are joined together in the most holy of bonds. Who gives this woman in holy matrimony to this man?
(BRIDE’S FATHER or FATHER AND MOTHER) I/we do.
Exchange of Vow between Bride and Groom:
(MINISTER) Do you, (Groom’s Name) take (Bride’s Name) to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?
(GROOM) I do.
(MINISTER) Do you, (Bride’s Name) take (Groom’s Name) to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?
(BRIDE) I do.
Ring Exchange:
(MINISTER) The wedding ring is an unbroken symbol of the everlasting love and commitment between man and wife. (Hands ring to groom.) Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.
(GROOM) With this ring, I thee wed. (Groom places ring on bride’s finger)
(BRIDE) With this ring, I thee wed. (Bride places ring on groom’s finger)
What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. With the power vested in me by God and the state of (insert locality here) I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Traditional Christian wedding vows often follow a similar structure, but the specific wording may vary slightly between different denominations and ceremonies. Here are four variations of traditional Christian wedding vows:
1. Traditional Christian Vows – Standard Version:
Officiant: “I invite you to join hands and face one another.”
Groom: “I, [Groom’s Name], take you, [Bride’s Name], to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
Bride: “I, [Bride’s Name], take you, [Groom’s Name], to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
2. Traditional Christian Vows – Episcopal Version:
Officiant: “Will you have this man/woman to be your husband/wife, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love him/her, comfort him/her, honor, and keep him/her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him/her as long as you both shall live?”
Groom/Bride: “I will.”
3. Traditional Christian Vows – Catholic Version:
Officiant: “I, [Groom’s Name], take you, [Bride’s Name], to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
Groom: “I do.”
Officiant: “I, [Bride’s Name], take you, [Groom’s Name], to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
Bride: “I do.”
4. Traditional Christian Vows – Baptist Version:
Officiant: “Do you, [Groom’s Name], take [Bride’s Name] to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sorrow and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”
Groom: “I will.”
Officiant: “Do you, [Bride’s Name], take [Groom’s Name] to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sorrow and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”
Bride: “I will.”
These variations of traditional Christian wedding vows are commonly used in various Christian denominations and can be adapted to fit the preferences of the couple and the officiant conducting the ceremony.
Traditional wedding vows in Different Cultures
Traditional wedding vows often vary by culture and religion. Here are four different examples of traditional wedding vows from different backgrounds:
- Christian Traditional Vows:
- “I, [Name], take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.”
- Jewish Traditional Vows:
- “I, [Name], take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my husband/wife, according to the law of Moses and Israel. I will love, honor, and cherish you in times of joy and in times of sorrow. I promise to be faithful to you in body and soul.”
- Hindu Traditional Vows:
- Hindu weddings often include the exchange of sacred vows, such as “With the first step, I promise to provide for and support you. With the second step, I promise to make your life comfortable and peaceful. With the third step, I promise to stand by your side in all adversities. With the fourth step, I promise to fill your heart with great joy and peace.”
- Native American Traditional Vows:
- “I take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my beloved [husband/wife]. I promise to be with you through all seasons of life, to share both the joys and the sorrows, to give you my hand in marriage, and to love and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
These are just a few examples of the many traditional wedding vows used around the world, each reflecting the values and customs of their respective cultures and religions. Couples often have the option to choose or modify their vows to best suit their personal beliefs and preferences.
Also Read:
Creative Wedding Vow Ideas for a Personal and Playful Ceremony
