5 Examples of Heartfelt Marriage Vows Before God for a Christian Wedding

For many Christians, few promises carry the same weight or bring more joy than marriage vows. When a devout couple takes their marriage vows before God during a Christian wedding, those words are more than a gesture of love – they’re a sincere pledge to honor the sacred bonds of matrimony and to keep God at the heart of a marriage. 

 

In Christian belief, Jesus is described as a bridegroom and the Church (meaning all believers) as His bride. This picture helps people understand how close the relationship is between Jesus and His followers. Just like a husband loves and cares for his wife, Jesus loves the Church deeply and gave His life for it. The Bible talks about a time in the future when Jesus and the Church will be fully united, like a wedding celebration. 

 

If you’ve decided that a religious wedding is right for you, you have many options for how to center your faith in your ceremony. You might get married in your family’s church, or in a natural setting where you feel closest to your faith. You might ask your wedding officiant to read marriage scripture or Bible verses about love, or to include a moment of prayer before taking your vow exchange. 

 

Related: Christian Ceremony Script With A Bible Reading And Prayer

 

One of the most powerful places to honor your commitment to faith and marriage is in the promises you make to your new spouse – making your marriage vows before God and as a covenant with God, with your friends and family members surrounding you as loving witnesses.

 

Below are a few examples of what you might say during your exchange of vows. Use these sample vows as a starting point; then, personalize them with your own words, hopes for the future, inside jokes, and heartfelt promises. 

 

( Photo: Benita Elizabeth John / Unsplash)

 

 

5 Sample Christian Marriage Vows “Before God”

 

1.  “I (Name), take you (Name), 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, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.”

 

(from the traditional Church of England Marriage Ceremony)

 

2. “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.”

 

(adapted from a traditional Quaker marriage certificate, from the Newtown Friends Meeting)

 

3. ‘Repeat After Me’ Vows with Wedding Officiant: “(Name), repeat after me: ‘I, (Name), take you (Name), to be my (wife / husband), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, excluding all others, as long as we both shall live. With God as my witness, I give you my pledge.”

 

(from AMM’s original wedding ceremony script: Christian Ceremony Script With Salt Covenant)

 

 

4. “I take you, (Name), to be my (wife / husband),
and I promise before God and all who are present here
to be your loving and faithful (husband /wife) as long as we both shall live. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop God's gifts in you.”

 

(from the United Methodist Church; A Service of Christian Marriage I)

 

5. “I, (Name), promise you, (Name), my endless love, patience, and commitment. Here before God and all of our favorite people, I vow to be your friend, companion, lover, and (wife / husband), for all of my life. If we’re blessed with children, it will be my joy to raise them in the light of Christ with you. God brought us together, and it’s my trust in Him, and in you, that helped us get here. I will never take it for granted, and love you so much!” 

 

(original Christian wedding vows with reference to children)

 

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Keep Reading for More Creative Christian Wedding Ideas: 

 

• 5 Meaningful Examples of Christian Wedding Vows
   
• 10 Popular Bible Verses about Marriage, Love, & Commitment
   
• Catholic Wedding Readings for Your Ceremony (& How to Include Them)
   
• Love is patient, Love is kind: Corinthians Wedding Reading & 5 Unique Alternatives

 

Click the article linked above to read the popular Corinthians wedding reading, along with five unique alternatives. (Photo (cropped): Timothée Pons / Unsplash)

 

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