Sample wedding vows (in England & Wales)

 

These sample wedding vows encapsulate the fact that nowadays, people are able to make their weddings more and more personal to them, and nothing does that more than writing your own personal vows, just for you and your groom!

 

However, it is important to remember that whilst you may want to declare your undying love to your soon to be husband, some of your family and friends may not have the stomach for vows that are too personal!

 

It is important your wedding vows make your guests feel like they are part of your big day rather than intruding on it!

 

Of course the style of your marriage, your wedding venue and your personalities will dictate the style of your wedding vows and if you are getting married in a church then you may need to take the traditional approach, but your vicar will be able to give you more guidance on that than if you are having a civil ceremony.

 

Your wedding vows must come from your heart, whether you use someone else's or whether you write your own. Of course you could always adapt some wedding vows that you like the sound of, to suit your own circumstances.

 

Whatever your source of inspiration, we hope that you say what you want to say, and mean what you say!

 

 

Below is an example of a contemporary wedding vow as well as the most popular traditional vow .

 

There are more sample wedding vows here.

 

Example Contemporary vow

You are my best friend, my love & my inspiration
Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to always encourage you, and to respect you

I promise that I will love you when times are good and when times are hard
No matter how difficult things seem, I will never give up
I promise to cherish you, now and for ever

More examples of free wedding vows.

Example Traditional Religious Vow

The bridegroom takes the bride's right hand in his, and says

I, [your groom's name] , take you, [your name] ,
to be my 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 us do part,
according to God's holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

The bride and groom then loose hands and the bride takes her bridegroom's right hand in hers, and says

I, [your name] , take you, [your groom's name] ,
to be my husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, cherish, and obey,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law.

In the presence of God I make this vow.

Example Traditional Religious Vow #2

The bridegroom now takes his bride's right hand in his, and says
I, [name] , take thee, [name] , to my wedded 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 us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

The bride takes the bridegroom's right hand in hers, and says:

I, [name] , take thee, [name], to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Often the word 'obey' is omitted, as follows

I, [name] , take thee, [name], to my wedded husband, 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 us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Then the couple will exchange more vows as they receive and give the rings:

With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Example Civil Ceremony Traditional Vows:

 

'I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, [your name], may not be joined in matrimony to [ your groom's name ].'

followed by these contracting words:
'I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, [your name], do take thee [your groom's name] to be my lawful wedded husband.'

Click here for some more sample wedding vows 

 

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