Examples of Traditional Christian Wedding Vows/Ring Ceremony:

Did you know that wedding vows are more important to a wedding than the photography, cake and catering combined? The little words that marry you give meaning to everything else that happens during that day, and the promises that you make to each other during the ceremony set the parameters for your marriage. So how do you find the wedding vows that are right for you? I recommend reading lots of them and seeing what feels right. Some religions will insist that you use canonical wording, but may allow you to also say personal vows. Even if your religion doesn't require it, combining classic and non-traditional wedding vows can be a way of honoring tradition, while personalizing your ceremony.

A) I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

B) I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live. C) I (name), take you (name) to be my (husband/wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.

Writing your own wedding vows is a popular trend, but many couples aren't sure how to do so. Although potentially daunting, it's not as hard as it seems. I've written a how-to guide:

Writing your own personalized wedding vows can be a daunting task, but it's not quite as hard as it looks. Here are six easy steps that you can follow to write your own wedding vows. 1. Make sure that everyone is on the same page. Talk to your future spouse and your officiant and make sure everyone is okay with personalized wedding vows. Some religions require that you use the traditional wording, while others will allow you to write your own, as long as you include certain phrases. You'll also want to make sure that your sweetheart also wants to do it. While you're at it, decide together whether you want to write one wedding vow that you will both say, or whether you want to write individually. 2. Answer some simple questions Yep, it's homework time. Sit down in a quiet space with paper and pen and answer these questions. Even if you don't think the answer will end up in your wedding vows, still take the time to write it down. It may help you in the long run. If you encounter writer's block, first try taking a short break. If you're still having trouble, try speaking the answers into a tape recorder, letting the thoughts flow freely.
o o o o

o o o

What is the single greatest thing about the person you are going to marry? When did you know that you were in love/ know that this person was the one you wanted to marry? What does marriage mean to you? Why do you want to be a married person? What is the most important thing you want to promise to your partner? What is the promise you most want to hear from them? (For example, it might be really important to you to promise that you will always respect them. Or you might really want them to promise their eternal fidelity.) What will change about your relationship once you are married? What will stay the same? What is your most favorite memory of your partner? When you were little, did you dream of your wedding day or your future spouse? How does that vision match up (or not) with your sweetheart?

3. Consult the experts Take some time to read through a variety of wedding vows, as well as passages of poetry, love stories, and famous writing about love Print out your favorites, and highlight passages that especially speak to you. 4. Put it all together Go back to the words you wrote before, and highlight passages that you might want to include in your wedding vows. Now is the time to pare things down select the very best of all the material you have to work with. Try taking a sentence or two from literature, add a sentence or two from the answers to the above questions, and finish with a vow a sentence that begins "I promise" or "I vow". For example, you might say:

"Mary, as the poet Rilke said, 'This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love. The more they give, the more they possess.' You are the most generous, loving, unselfish person I know. I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you with your daughter, treating her with such respect and giving her all of you. I feel so fortunate that you have chosen to share your love with me, and that I get to grow old next to you. Mary, today I choose you for my wife. I promise to love you, honor you, care for you, and be faithful to you, from this day forward and for the rest of our lives." 5. If that didn't work try filling in the blanks in a more simple vow. (Name of your sweetheart), you are my (best friend, one true love, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, etc.) Today, I take you to be my (wife, husband, lawfully wedded wife or husband, life partner, etc.) I promise you that I will be (faithful, worthy of your trust, worthy of your love, your loving partner, etc.) I vow to (honor you, cherish you, love you, respect you, laugh with you, cry with you, support you in your goals, etc.), (insert here the length of your vow, for example, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.) 6. Practice, Practice, Practice First, try reading what you've written out loud to a trusted friend or family member. Ideally, this person will be someone who is a good writer, and someone who knows your relationship. They may have good suggestions for you, or the simple act of reading it out loud might help you identify places where you can improve. Once you've worked out a final version, practice reading it on your own to make sure you are comfortable with it. If you can, try to memorize it. But whether or not you memorize well, make sure that you write down your wedding vows on a note card (and give an extra copy to the best man or maid of honor!) so that nerves won't spoil all of your hard work.

Religious Vows for the Ring Ceremony

Protestant I give you this ring as a symbol of my love; and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Episcopalian (Name), I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Jewish Harey at mekuddeshet li b'taba'at zo k'dat Moshe v'Israel (which means, Behold, thou art consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel). Presbyterian This ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love. Roman Catholic In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, take and wear this ring as sign of my love and faithfulness. Unitarian With this ring, I wed you, and pledge you my love, now and forever. Lutheran I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and faith. Methodist I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have; I honor you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Baptist With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, till death do us part. Sample Exchanging of the Rings #2 Minister: "May I have the rings. Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings. May ___ and ___ abide in Thy peace and grow in their knowledge of Your presence through their loving union. May the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of their endless love and serve to remind them of the holy covenant they have entered into today to be faithful, loving, and kind to each other. Dear God, may they live in Your grace and be forever true to this union. Amen." Groom: "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed." Bride: "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed."

Sample Exchanging of the Rings #2 Minister: "The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you ___, may place a ring on the finger of your bride." Groom: "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Minister: "By the same token ____, you may place a ring on the finger of your groom." Bride: "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Sample Exchanging of the Rings #3 Minister: "The ring is the symbol of the commitment which binds these two together. There are two rings because there are two people, each to make a contribution to the life of the other, and to their new life together. Let us pray: Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another's eyes." (Each saying to the other) "I give you this ring, as I give you myself, with love and affection. Wear it in peace always." Sample Exchanging of the Rings #4 Minister: "Father, bless these rings which ____ and ____ have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them here." Groom: "Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you." Bride: "Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you." Together: "This circle will now seal the vows of our marriage and will symbolize the purity and endlessness of our love."