Creative ‘Declaration of Intent’ Wording for Your Wedding Ceremony

Speak from the heart on your wedding day with these creative alternatives to traditional declaration of intent wording

 

Updated November 10, 2025

 

What is the Declaration of Intent in a Wedding Ceremony ?

 

The declaration of intent is the part of the wedding ceremony when the wedding officiant confirms that the couple truly wants to marry each other. And it’s one of the few parts of a wedding ceremony that's legally required in most states.

 

Also called a ‘statement of intent to marry’ or ‘declaration of consent,’ this is the familiar part of the ceremony when the officiant asks, “Do you take this person to be your spouse?” and each partner happily responds “I do!” 

 

• Learn more:  What is a Declaration of Intent? Explained

 

Traditional Declaration of Intent Wording

 

Traditionally, a declaration of intent goes something like this:  

 

Officiant:
"Do you, Sam, take this woman, Leigh, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love and honor her, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live? "

 

Sam:
"I do. "

 

Officiant:
"And do you, Leigh, take this man, Sam, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love and honor her, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

 

Leigh:
"I do."

 

Related: Classic Wedding Vows (That Will Make Everyone at Your Ceremony Happy Cry)

 

It's ok to get creative with your wedding wording

 

But you don’t have to stick with tradition on this – although you do need to include a version of this declaration in your ceremony, the specific wording you use is up to you and your officiant.

 

Below, we’ve put together a few declaration of intent wedding samples to inspire you, along with answers to a few common questions about this important part of the ceremony. Add these creative alternatives to a simple wedding ceremony script to create a unique and personalized ceremony. 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/store/products/will-you-marry-us-gift-package", "HAVE A FRIEND OFFICIATE YOUR WEDDING!" *|

Say "I do" in whatever style suits you (Photo by Neal Cruz)

 

 

6 Creative Examples: Wedding Declaration of Intent Wording

 

1. Traditional Wedding Declaration of Intent (Opposite-Sex Couple)

 

Officiant:
Do you _______, take _______ to be your lawfully wedded (wife/ husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?

 

Groom/ Bride:
I do. 

 

2. Same-Sex or Gender Neutral Declaration of Intent 

 

Officiant:
Do you, _______, take _______ to be your (wife / husband/ spouse/ partner in life), to love and to cherish all the days of your life, today, tomorrow, and always? 

 

Marrier:
I do. 

 

3. Funny Declaration of Intent 

 

Officiant:
_______, would you like to marry _______? 

 

Marrier:
Yes! 

 

Officiant:
Are you sure? Like, really sure? To be joined in marriage, today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life? It could be a long time.

 

Marrier:
Hell yes! 

 

Related: Lighthearted Wedding Ceremony Script with Funny Reading on Marriage

 

 

4. Shared Declaration of Intent ("We Do")

 

Officiant:
_______ and _______, here in the company of friends and family, do you willingly and lovingly take each other in the partnership of marriage, with all the responsibilities and joys that such a union brings, agreeing to stand beside each other in good times and bad, for all the days of your lives? 

 

Marriers:
We do!

 

Related: Spiritual Wedding Ceremony Script (with "We Do" Vows)

 

5. Short & Simple Declaration of Intent 

 

Officiant:
_______, do you wish to marry  _______ today? 

 

Marrier:
I do. 

 

6. Spanish Declaration of Intent 

 

Officiant:
_______, toma usted a _______ como su legítimo esposo (a) para amar y respetar, querer y adorar, en la pobreza y la adversidad, de ahora en adelante y hasta el fin de sus días? 

 

(In English, for bilingual ceremony planning: "_______ Do you take _______ as your legitimate (husband /wife) to love and respect, cherish and adore, for richer or for poorer, from now on and until the end of days?")

 

Marrier:
Si (o Acepto)

 

(In English: "Yes," or "I do.")

 

Browse Spanish Wedding Ceremony Scripts in the library

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Ready to get started? A couple more things to know when choosing a creative declaration of intent for your wedding ceremony

 

Does the Declaration of Intent need to be a question?

 

Not exactly – but asking a question is usually the easiest way for your officiant to confirm that you understand what’s happening and truly want to get married. A question, like “Do you take this person to be your spouse?” followed by an enthusiastic “I do!”, is simple and clear. This makes a question the traditional choice.

 

But if you prefer, your officiant could make a statement or prompt instead, as long as you respond in a way that shows you’re marrying by choice. Any vague language must be avoided. For example, your officiant could say, “If you wish to marry the sweet person standing before you, take their hand and say so!” followed by your confident response, “I wish to marry you, [Name]!” 

 

Which comes first, Declaration of Intent or Vows?

 

If you want to include both of these common parts in your ceremony, the declaration usually comes before the wedding vows. In this case, the wedding ceremony order usually goes something like this:  

 

• Wedding Processional
• Welcome & Invocation
• Declaration of Intent
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Closing Words / Officiant’s Blessing
• Pronouncement of Marriage
• Wedding Recessional

 

Not sure what the difference is between a Declaration of Intent and Wedding Vows? 

 

• Check out: Declaration of Intent vs Vows (When Wedding Wording Counts)

 

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• Next, ask a friend to get ordained online for free with AMM to officiate your wedding. 

 

• Then, check out the free wedding officiant scripts in our Ceremony Scripts Library to help inspire your own.

 

• Order a copy of  The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies for dozens of sample scripts and how-to help to write your ceremony.

 

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More Wedding Ceremony Ideas & Tips from American Marriage Ministries

 

• 12 Creative Pronouncement Ideas for Your Wedding Ceremony

 

• 5 Alternatives to a Traditional Wedding Ceremony
   
• Offbeat Wedding Welcome & Opening Remarks: Examples for a Non-traditional Ceremony!
   

 

Offbeat opening remarks can set the perfect tone for your non-traditional wedding ceremony! Read the full article here. 

 

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Help from the pros! 

 

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies
 

Why sift through thousands of online ceremony scripts when you can hold the best ones right in your own hands? These scripts are the real deal, written after thousands of hours of research and real-world practice. Laid out in an easy to browse format, The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies is a joy to read and use for every wedding occasion. 

 

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

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