11 Traditional Wedding Vows to Exchange During Your Ceremony

If reciting promises you wrote yourself in front of a large group of family, friends, and in-laws sounds more like a public speaking nightmare than a romantic start to a new life with your partner, relying on traditional wedding vows is a time-honored alternative.

Many typical vows are determined by the religion that underlies your marriage ceremony, though interfaith and non-denominational ceremonies also have their own traditions. From the recited vows to the wording of the ring exchanges, these age-old promises are familiar, constant, and enduring.

Reciting Traditional Wedding Vows

Vows for religious weddings vary according to the specific religion. In many—but not all—religions, the declaration of vows symbolizes the moment when a couple becomes husband and wife.

There are several ways to perform the following monologue-style vows: You can memorize the words ahead of time, you can repeat them after the officiant, or the officiant can say them in the form of a question, and you can respond with "I do" or "I will." Variations on the traditional wording can often be accommodated by your religious official.

At most wedding ceremonies, the exchange of rings immediately follows the recitation of vows and serves to seal those promises, though not all religions include a ring exchange. The ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of love, and at many ceremonies, more vows are spoken as rings are exchanged.

In some cases (and in weddings where there is a bride and a groom), the bride receives a ring during the ceremony, but the groom does not, as at Orthodox and some Conservative Jewish weddings; in some cultures, rings aren't exchanged at all. Many couples choose the double-ring ceremony, wherein both partners give and receive rings—although this practice did not become popular in the United States until after World War II.

Jewish Wedding Vows

The vows: In Jewish ceremonies, vows are recited only when the ring is given (or rings are exchanged).

The rings: The groom says: "Harey at mekuddeshet li B'taba'at zo k'dat Moshe V'israel," which means, "Behold, thou are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel." Then the groom places the ring on the bride's finger. If the wedding is a double-ring ceremony, the bride recites the same words (with changes for gender) and places the ring on the groom's finger.

The phrase "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" is often recited in Hebrew, as well.

Catholic Wedding Vows

The vows: "I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

The rings: After the priest blesses the bride's ring, the groom places it on her finger. After the priest blesses the groom's ring, the bride places it on his finger. Each says: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Take and wear this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness."

Episcopal Wedding Vows

The vows: "In the name of God, I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife/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 parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

The rings: The groom places the ring on the bride's finger and says: "___, 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." If the wedding is a double-ring ceremony, the other partner does the same.

Presbyterian Wedding Vows

The vows: "I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband/wife in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

The rings: The groom places the ring on the bride's finger and says: "This ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love." If the wedding is a double-ring ceremony, the bride does the same.

Protestant Wedding Vows

The vows: "I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded wife/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 do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith."

The rings: After the blessing from the celebrant, the groom places the ring on the bride's finger and says: "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." If the wedding is a double-ring ceremony, the bride does the same.

Muslim Wedding Vows

The vows: "I, (bride's name), offer you myself in marriage and 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 an obedient and faithful wife."

The groom responds: "I, (groom's name), in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."

Hindu Wedding Vows

The vows: At Hindu weddings, couples recite a set of vows known as saptapadi, or the Seven Steps. These list of promises are recited as the couple walks around a ring of fire to honor Agni, the Hindu god of fire. As they walk, they state the following:

"I take this vow for (1) the fulfillment of the material needs of the family and for prosperity, (2) for the development of physical, mental, and spiritual strength, (3) to acquire wealth by pure and righteous means and to spend it wisely, (4) for a harmonious relationship, (5) to excel in raising strong and virtuous children, (6) for togetherness and compatibility, and (7) for friendship—to be dependable and faithful and for lifelong companionship."

Quaker Wedding Vows

The vows: "In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee to be my wife/husband, promising with divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live."

The rings: While wedding bands are not part of Quaker wedding tradition, many couples opt to add a ring exchange during (or after) the marriage ceremony.

Unitarian/Universalist Wedding Vows

The vows: "I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife/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 cherish always."

The rings: The groom places the ring on the bride's finger and says: "With this ring, I wed you and pledge you my love now and forever." If the wedding is a double-ring ceremony, the bride does the same.

Interfaith Wedding Vows

The vows: "I,___, take you, ___, to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

The rings: An interfaith ceremony is designed by the engaged couple and their officiant to accommodate any type or number of religions, so the text accompanying the ring exchange is decided by each couple individually.

Nondenominational Wedding Vows

The vows: "___, I now take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live."

The rings: A nondenominational wedding can also include the couple's choice of wording during the ring exchange.