Wedding Vows Examples: How to Write Wedding Vows

Wedding vows are the words two people exchange aloud during their wedding ceremony as a promise of love and commitment. The purpose of wedding vows is to provide a meaningful foundation for the newlyweds’ life together.

Sharing wedding vows is an intimate part of the ceremony, as the couple expresses their love and appreciation for each other before their friends and family. On the big day, couples traditionally state their vows toward the end of the ceremony before they exchange wedding rings.

Wedding vows vary according to religion and personal preference. While some couples infuse their vows with romance, others opt for funny wedding vows or a traditional exchange rooted in culture. Below are the three main types of wedding vows.

1. 1. Personal vows: Couples who choose to recite personal vows write their own pledges from scratch. Personal vows are nonreligious vows that combine romantic statements with lighthearted anecdotes about the couple’s life together. Each partner expresses the characteristics they love about each other followed by an explanation of how they intend to cherish their partner. These types of vows are sentimental and unique since they come directly from the couple.
2. 2. Religious vows: Traditional nuptial vows vary according to religion. Each religion has its own version of wedding vows dedicated to the ceremony. Couples who choose to marry in a formal religious space often read prewritten vows the officiant provides. Religious wedding vows incorporate formal language and phrases, such as “in the name of God” and “until death do us part.”
3. 3. Mixed vows: Some couples choose to incorporate anecdotes into traditional wedding vows. Mixed vows are a way to personalize religious vows. The tone of mixed vows varies, with some couples adding inside jokes for humor and others maintaining the solemn quality of the traditional phrases.

Consider the following wedding vow examples as inspiration:

• Catholic vows: "I, __, take you, __, to be my (husband/wife/spouse). 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."
• Funny vows: “I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of our lives—even when you’re having a bad hair day! You’re the peanut butter to my jelly, the ice to the cream, but most of all, you’re my best friend and soulmate. Today, and every day of the rest of my life, I promise to protect our love.”
• Hindu vows: "Let us take the first step to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living. . . . Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity. Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."
• Personal vows: “Our love story started the first time you asked me out. That day forward I knew you were the one. You make me a better person, and for that, I promise to love and support you through every good and hard time for the rest of your life.”
• Protestant vows: "In the name of God, I, ___, take you, ___, to be my (husband/wife/spouse), 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
• Quaker vows: "In the presence of God and these, our friends, I take thee to be my (wife/husband/spouse), promising with divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful (husband/wife/spouse) so long as we both shall live."
• Romantic vows: “Our love is the most important thing in my life. Your heart is my home and your arms are my shelter. I promise to choose you for all the days of our lives.”

Writing your own wedding vows is an opportunity to express your love as a couple in front of your family and friends. Consider the following steps for preventing writer's block and brainstorming personal vows:

1. 1. Read sample wedding vows. Research different wedding vow templates for inspiration. Reviewing sample vows is a great starting point for deciding the structure of your wedding vows. You can also research marriage and love quotes to develop ideas and themes.
2. 2. List what you love about your partner. Make a list of all the things you love and appreciate about your partner. Set aside five to ten minutes to write down as many characteristics as possible. You can later reference these personality traits and sentiments in your vows.
3. 3. Outline your love story. Reflect on your time together as a couple. Consider how you and your partner have changed since you first met. Romantic wedding vows typically incorporate small anecdotes that describe happy memories. Create another list to brainstorm and outline moments that stand out to you.
4. 4. Identify your promises. The promises you express are the main portion of your vows. When outlining your promises, be specific about how you will uphold them. You can state your promises in a romantic, solemn, or humorous way depending on your tone and phrasing. If you want to embed traditional elements into your marriage vows, consider incorporating religious or cultural promises into your speech.
5. 5. Write your vows. Begin your vows by discussing what you love most about your partner. After stating these characteristics, share an anecdote about your relationship. You can also comment on how much you’ve grown together as a couple. End your wedding vows by stating your promises and acknowledging the good and bad times you will endure together in the future. You can write your vows in an official vow book to keep as a wedding memento or simply type them out on a blank sheet of paper to read at the ceremony.

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