Traditional wedding vows are a timeless symbol of love and commitment. Traditional vows often reflect a couple’s religious or cultural background, and serve as a powerful reminder of the promises made to one another on their special day. Whether it’s a classic “to have and to hold” or a personalized rendition, exchanging vows is an important and sentimental part of any wedding.
Keep reading to explore traditional wedding vows from various cultures and religions. Whether you’re planning a traditional wedding or looking for inspiration for personalized wedding vows, here are all the insights you need to create a memorable and meaningful wedding ceremony.
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my lawfully wedded 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.”
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my wedded 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, till death do us part.”
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my wedded 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, till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
“Today, I will marry my best friend. I will honor and respect you, laugh with you, cry with you, care for you, and share my life with you. I give you my heart, my love, my soul, and my trust. This is my sacred vow.”
“I vow to you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine, from this day it shall only be your name I cry out in the night and into your eyes that I smile each morning; I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine, not shall a grievous word be spoken about us, for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.”
“Haray at mekudeshet li b’taba’at zo kedat Moshe v’Yisrael.” (Translation: “Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel.”)
“In the presence of the Buddha, the Sangha, and all sentient beings, I vow to love, cherish, and honor you in thought, word, and deed. I promise to support your spiritual growth and to walk with you on the path of awakening.”
“I, (name), offer you myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you a loyal and obedient wife/husband.”
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my wedded 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, till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
You may want to stick with traditional wedding vows, but you can personalize them to fit you and your partner better, or make them more meaningful.
If you don’t feel a connection with the above traditional or religious wedding vows, write your own wedding vows. This allows you to express your feelings and promises in your own words. You can include your personal stories, shared values, and aspirations for the future.
The exchanging of vows is typically followed by the exchanging of wedding rings, and some common traditions also come with this.
The rings are usually placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, also known as the “ring finger.” This tradition is believed to have originated from ancient Egyptians, who believed that the vein in this finger, known as the “vena amoris,” runs directly to the heart.
In some religious ceremonies, the wedding rings are blessed by a priest or a religious leader before they are exchanged. This is believed to add spiritual significance to the rings and strengthen the couple’s bond.
Just like there are traditional wedding vows to exchange in a ceremony, there are also traditional vows made specifically during the ring exchange.
Here are some examples of traditional exchanging of ring vows:
What is considered traditional for wedding vows depends on a person’s religious and cultural background.
“I (name), take you (name), to be my [wife/husband/partner], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you.”
The traditional order of the vows is for the groom to go first, but this is based on patriarchal traditions.
Despite common beliefs, traditional Catholic weddings do not contain the word “obey.” The word “obey” was introduced by the Church of England in 1549 when it released its first Book of Common Prayer.
Traditionally, the exchanging of rings comes after reciting vows.
No. Nothing says you have to incorporate wedding vows into your wedding ceremony. Whether you want to keep with traditional wedding vows, write your own vows, or forgo vows completely, it’s up to you.
At TheGroomClub, we help grooms up their game at every stage of the wedding process, from the proposal to the honeymoon. Ready to propose? Learn how to make it perfect. Not sure what to wear to your engagement party? We’ve got tips.
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