Traditional and Standard Wedding Vows: Examples for Him & Her
Wedding vows are a beautiful tradition that symbolize the commitment and love between two people. They are a sincere promise to support and cherish one another through all the ups and downs of life.
If you’re planning a traditional ceremony or a more modern celebration, the vows you choose can make a significant impact. They are not just words but a promise to love and support each other through all of life’s challenges and joys.
In this comprehensive guide, we will look at traditional and standard wedding vows, offer examples for both him and her, and provide tips on how to write your own vows. We’ll also discuss how long wedding vows should be and the essential elements that make them meaningful.
What Are Wedding Vows?
Wedding vows are promises made by each partner during the wedding ceremony. They reflect the couple’s commitment to each other and their future together. Vows can be personalized to fit the couple’s unique relationship or follow traditional templates passed down through generations. These promises are a public declaration of love and commitment, setting the tone for the marriage.
How to Write Wedding Vows
Writing your own wedding vows can be a deeply personal and rewarding experience. Here are some steps to help you craft vows that are sincere and memorable:
Step 1. Reflect on Your Relationship: Think about the journey you have taken together. Consider the moments that have defined your relationship and the qualities you love most about your partner.
Step 2. Outline Your Promises: Decide what promises you want to make. These can include supporting each other, being honest, and maintaining a sense of humor through life’s challenges.
Step 3. Keep It Personal: Use specific examples from your relationship. Mention moments that highlight your love and commitment.
Step 4. Speak from the Heart: Authenticity is key. Let your emotions guide you, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
Step 5. Practice: Once you’ve written your vows, practice reading them aloud. This will help you feel more comfortable and ensure that your words flow smoothly.
How Long Should Wedding Vows Be?
The length of wedding vows can vary, but they typically range from one to three minutes. Aim for a length that feels comfortable for you and allows you to express your thoughts without rushing. Remember, it’s not about the length but the sincerity of your words.
Traditional Wedding Vows
Traditional wedding vows have been used for centuries and often follow a specific structure. Here are some classic examples:
For Him
Example 1:
“I, [Name], take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my lawfully 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, until death do us part.”
Example 2:
“I, [Name], promise to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful to you as long as we both shall live.”
For Her
Example 1:
“I, [Name], take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my lawfully 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, until death do us part.”
Example 2:
“I, [Name], promise to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful to you as long as we both shall live.”
Standard Wedding Vows
Standard wedding vows can be slightly more flexible while still maintaining a traditional feel. These vows often incorporate more personal touches while keeping the essence of the commitment.
For Him
Example 1:
“[Partner’s Name], today I choose you to be my wife. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I will love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I will cherish you and always hold you in the highest regard. These things I give to you today and all the days of our life.”
Example 2:
“[Partner’s Name], you are my best friend and my one true love. I promise to stand by your side, to share your joys and your sorrows, and to support your dreams. I vow to be faithful, patient, and to always speak the truth to you. I will cherish and respect you for all the days of our lives.”
For Her
Example 1:
“[Partner’s Name], today I choose you to be my husband. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I will love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I will cherish you and always hold you in the highest regard. These things I give to you today and all the days of our life.”
Example 2:
“[Partner’s Name], you are my best friend and my one true love. I promise to stand by your side, to share your joys and your sorrows, and to support your dreams. I vow to be faithful, patient, and to always speak the truth to you. I will cherish and respect you for all the days of our lives.”
Wedding Vows for Him
When writing wedding vows for him, consider the qualities and promises that resonate most with men. Here are some tips and examples:
Tips:
- Express Commitment: Highlight your commitment to support and cherish your partner.
- Include Personal Touches: Mention specific memories or moments that illustrate your love.
- Keep It Genuine: Authenticity will make your vows more impactful.
Example:
“[Partner’s Name], you are my best friend and my soulmate. I promise to love and support you, to be there for you in times of joy and sorrow. I vow to be faithful, honest, and to always communicate openly with you. I will cherish our moments together and hold you in the highest regard.”
Wedding Vows for Her
When writing wedding vows for her, focus on the emotional and supportive aspects of your relationship. Here are some tips and examples:
Tips:
- Show Appreciation: Express your gratitude for your partner’s love and support.
- Be Personal: Share specific instances that highlight your bond.
- Speak from the Heart: Let your emotions guide your words.
Example:
“[Partner’s Name], you are my rock and my confidant. I promise to stand by your side, to love and support you through all of life’s challenges. I vow to be faithful, patient, and to always speak the truth to you. I will cherish and respect you for all the days of our lives.”
Top 15 Sweetest Wedding Vows
Sweet wedding vows can add a touch of romance to your ceremony. Here are some examples that are sure to melt hearts:
- “I promise to love you unconditionally, 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.”
- “You are my best friend, my confidant, and my love. I promise to always stand by your side, to support you in your dreams, and to grow old with you.”
- “From this day forward, I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your biggest fan. I will love you in the good times and the bad, and I will cherish every moment we have together.”
- “I vow to always be honest, to love you fiercely, and to support you in all that you do. You are my soulmate, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
- “You are my heart, my soul, and my everything. I promise to always be there for you, to love you without reservation, and to grow old with you.”
- “I promise to be your rock, your confidant, and your best friend. I will stand by your side through thick and thin, and I will love you with all my heart.”
- “You are the love of my life, and I promise to cherish and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life.”
- “I vow to always be honest with you, to cherish and respect you, and to love you more with each passing day. You are my soulmate, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
- “I promise to always be your biggest supporter, to encourage and inspire you, and to love you unconditionally. You are my best friend and my partner in life.”
- “You are my rock, my confidant, and my love. I promise to stand by your side, to support you in all that you do, and to love you with all my heart.”
- “I vow to always be honest, to love you fiercely, and to support you in all that you do. You are my soulmate, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
- “You are my heart, my soul, and my everything. I promise to always be there for you, to love you without reservation, and to grow old with you.”
- “I promise to be your rock, your confidant, and your best friend. I will stand by your side through thick and thin, and I will love you with all my heart.”
- “You are the love of my life, and I promise to cherish and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life.”
- “I vow to always be honest with you, to cherish and respect you, and to love you more with each passing day. You are my soulmate, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
Top 15 Funny Wedding Vows
Adding humor to your wedding vows can make your ceremony memorable and enjoyable. Here are some examples of funny wedding vows:
- “I promise to love you even when you’re old and wrinkly, and to always let you have the last piece of pizza.”
- “I vow to always be your biggest fan, even when you’re singing off-key in the shower.”
- “I promise to laugh at your jokes, even when they’re not funny, and to always tell you when you have something stuck in your teeth.”
- “I vow to always be your partner in crime, and to never watch our favorite shows without you.”
- “I promise to love you, even when you leave your socks on the floor, and to always let you have the last word.”
- “I vow to always be your personal chef, even if that means making you instant noodles at 2 AM.”
- “I promise to always let you have control of the TV remote, except during football season.”
- “I vow to always be your biggest supporter, even when you’re making questionable life choices.”
- “I promise to love you, even when you’re being a grumpy old man, and to always make you laugh.”
- “I vow to always be your partner in adventure, and to never let you go to bed angry.”
- “I promise to love you, even when you’re being a drama queen, and to always make you feel special.”
- “I vow to always be your partner in mischief, and to never let you face the world alone.”
- “I promise to love you, even when you’re being a pain in the butt, and to always be your rock.”
- “I vow to always be your personal comedian, and to never let a day go by without making you laugh.”
- “I promise to love you, even when you’re being a goofball, and to always make you feel loved.”
Top 10 Wedding Vow Poems
Poetry can add a touch of elegance and romance to your wedding vows. Here are some beautiful wedding vow poems:
- Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare
“Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.” - i carry your heart with me by E.E. Cummings
“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)” - How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.” - The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe
“Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields.
And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.
And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;
A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold;
A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.
The shepherds’ swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May-morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.” - Love’s Philosophy by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix for ever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single,
All things by a law divine
In one another’s being mingle—
Why not I with thine? See the mountains kiss high heaven
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea—
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?” - A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns
“O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.” - Love Sonnet XI by Pablo Neruda
“I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair.
Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.
Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts me, all day
I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps.
I hunger for your sleek laugh,
your hands the color of a savage harvest,
hunger for the pale stones of your fingernails,
I want to eat your skin like a whole almond.
I want to eat the sunbeam flaring in your lovely body,
the sovereign nose of your arrogant face,
I want to eat the fleeting shade of your lashes,
and I pace around hungry, sniffing the twilight,
hunting for you, for your hot heart,
like a puma in the barrens of Quitratue.” - Love’s Secret by William Blake
“Never seek to tell thy love,
Love that never told can be;
For the gentle wind does move
Silently, invisibly.
I told my love, I told my love,
I told her all my heart,
Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears,
Ah! she did depart!
Soon after she was gone from me,
A traveller came by,
Silently, invisibly:
He took her with a sigh.” - When You Are Old by W.B. Yeats
“When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.” - The Good-Morrow by John Donne
“I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? were we not weaned till then,
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
‘Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee. And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to others, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one. My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike that none do slacken, none can die.”
Conclusion
Wedding vows are a profound way to express your love and commitment to your partner. Whether you choose traditional vows or opt for something more personalized, the most important thing is that your words come from the heart. Take the time to reflect on your relationship, consider what promises are most meaningful to you, and practice your vows to ensure they flow naturally. With sincerity and love, your wedding vows will be a beautiful start to your married life together.
