5 Meaningful Examples of Christian Wedding Vows

5 Examples of Christian wedding vows that honor the meaning of marriage

 

Believe it or not, the most familiar Christian wedding vows are actually based on a Protestant prayer book published way, way back in 1552. Called The Book of Common Prayer, it included a traditional Christian wedding ceremony script and detailed instructions on how to perform the religious marriage service. 

 

Those vows were written like this (in Old English): 

 

“IN. take thee N. to my wedded husbande/wife, to have and to holde from this day forewarde, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickenes, and in health, to love, cherish, [and to obeye], tyl death us depart, according to goddes holy ordynaunce: And thereto I geve/plight thee my troth.”

 

• Read the full 1552 Book of Common Prayer Marriage Service

 

Which, in their current form, translate like this: 

 

"I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wedded husband/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, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith."

 

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? 

 

These traditional Christian wedding vows are so popular, almost 500 years later, that even secular weddings sometimes include a version of them that simply omits the mention of God. Still, if this old-fashioned language doesn’t appeal to you, you’re not alone! Many couples find the vows above too ‘stuffy’ for their ideal wedding.

 

The best wedding vows are the ones that speak from the heart, that tell your partner what you love about them, how you’ll treat them, and what your faith and marriage mean to you. If traditional vows don’t do it for you, don’t worry! There are many other tried-and-true vows to choose from, and you can even try  writing your own vows.

 

Consider the 5 examples below. Use these vows ‘as is,’ or mix and match your favorite phrases and verses to create something special. 

 

 

Mix and match your favorite phrases from the examples below to write your own vows for a Christian wedding ceremony, or use these sample vows 'as is' (Photo: Delmaine Donson / iStock)

 

5 Meaningful Examples of Christian Wedding Vows

 

 

Christian Wedding Vows: 'I promise...'

 

“I take you, _____, to be my wife/husband/spouse, to live with you together in marriage, guided each step by His love and light. I promise you these things: I will respect, trust, support, and cherish you; and I will be worthy of all these in turn; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will share my life with you, honestly and devotedly, through the inevitable ups and downs ahead.” 

 

Related: Christian Wedding Ceremony Script

 

Funny Christian Wedding Vows

 

“_____, my love! I promise to sit beside you at church every Sunday, and change out of my pajamas before we get there. I promise to help raise our children to be brave and loving, just like you are, and to love your parents like they were my own – maybe even a little more than my own. I promise to pray with you morning and night and to carry my weight with housework… I’m sorry in advance for all the burnt lasagnas. Most of all, I promise to love you with all of me, as your best friend, your lover, and your partner in life.”

 

 

Christian Wedding Vows for Him (with Bible Verses / Wedding Scriptures)

“_____, I promise to lead our family with faith and hope in Jesus Christ, following the constant guidance of God's Word. The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.” It says that “husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies,” because, “He who loves his wife loves himself.” _____, I love you. God has brought me a perfect partner and friend to share a life with. You are funny, and beautiful, and kind, everything I could have dreamed of in a wife. I promise to respect and cherish you every day of your life, and pledge every day of mine to you, as your loving and faithful husband.”

 

Related: Christian Ceremony Script With Reading From Genesis

 

 

Simple Christian Wedding Vows 

 

“_____, I promise to stand beside you as friend and partner, navigating life’s ups and downs with God’s gentle guidance. I promise to trust and cherish you, to be honest and helpful to you. And I pledge all the days of my life to you, as your faithful and loving wife/husband.”

 

Related: Slightly Religious Wedding Ceremony Script

 

 

Modern Christian Wedding Vows

 

“I _____, take you _____, to be my wife/husband and I promise before God and everyone here today these things: I promise to speak honestly and listen closely; to inspire and celebrate you; to meet uncertainty with faith; to tend to our home and care for you as God calls us to care for a wife/husband; to pray with you; to laugh and play with you; to grow old and wrinkled and wise with you; and to make of this life what He would have it be with you; taking each day as it comes beside you. You are my best friend, my heart, my wife/husband, today and always!”  

 

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Read Next: 

 

• 10 Popular Bible Verses about Marriage, Love, & Commitment
   
• Christian Feet Washing Wedding Ceremony Script with Bible Reading
   
• Christian Wedding Script with Cord of Three Strands Ceremony

 

Browse all Christian Wedding Ceremony Scripts
 

 

Cord of Three Strands Ceremony: Click the link above to read a contemporary Christian wedding ceremony script includes a symbolic Cord of Three Strands Ceremony to represent God at the center of your marriage. 

 

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Finding a wedding officiant: Ask a friend or relative to get ordained online free with AMM to officiate! 

 

Friends and relatives can get ordained online to officiate a wedding with American Marriage Ministries. Our online ordination is free, easy, legal, and never expires. AMM ordains people from all backgrounds and faiths, and our ordinations are recognized in every state. 

 

• Get ordained online free with AMM
• Weddings by State: Minister Registration Requirements

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You just proposed to your partner, why not propose to your wedding officiant too? 

AMM offers a unique ‘Will You Marry Us?’ Gift Box to make it easy and fun to ask someone to officiate your wedding! 

 

ORDER YOUR GIFT BOX NOW!

Above: Everything included in the Will You Marry Us? gift box. Order today and propose to your wedding officiant! 

 

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