Viking Wedding Vows: Traditional & Modern Ways to Say SKAL! To Love

You’ve found a mighty love! Celebrate your marriage with these heartfelt Viking wedding vows, blending traditional Nordic rituals with modern values to help you say “skal!” to love in a personal way. 

 

Whether you’re looking for traditional Viking marriage oaths, Norse Pagan wedding vows, or just want to start your marriage with a hearty toast to the future, you’re in the right place.

 

Find an inspiring mix of traditional, modern, and spiritual Viking marriage vows to recite on your big day. Add them to a Viking wedding ceremony script or Pagan handfasting ceremony, or exchange your vows privately before the ceremony starts. 

 

Viking Wedding Vow Ideas

 

1. Traditional Viking Wedding Vow with Family Participation

Friend / Relative Speaking:

“(Partner One) and (Partner Two), you love each other in a way we feel lucky to witness – a love that’s pure, true, and honest. We vow, as your (community / family), to lift you up, to defend the life you build, and to remind you of your love in the years to come. I speak for everyone here, and in honor of those who could not be, when I say, all blessings be upon your marriage!”

Traditional Viking weddings didn’t include spoken pledges like modern weddings do, so this vow is based on the Viking handsal tradition instead – when a bride’s guardian presented her to the groom during the marriage ritual, and formally shook the groom’s hand in front of witnesses. We’ve adapted it for contemporary couples and included a beloved friend instead of a traditional guardian.

How to Include This Vow:

 

Choose a close friend as your symbolic representative, to serve as ‘guardian’ of your love and ‘present you to each other’ in marriage. This trusted friend will clasp hands with both of you during the ritual and recite the vow to give you their blessing and protection. 

 

Related: A Simple Handfasting Ceremony Script

 

 

2. Modern Viking Blood Oath for a Marriage of Equals

 

“(Name), my heart, my mind, and my body are yours. You are my family, my equal, my lover, my blood! I vow to protect and honor you for all our lives. To share my thoughts, my bed, and my home with you. You are my best friend, my partner in life, my (wife / husband / spouse). I pledge my fidelity to you, today and always.”

 

Funny variation, add a personal touch to this line: 

 

“I vow to protect and honor you for all our lives – whether we’re on the battlefield or picking up groceries after work.”

 

During ancient fóstbræðralag (or fostbraedralag) rituals, Viking warriors made a small cut on their palms and shook hands – mixing their blood and swearing allegiance as brothers in battle. Adapted for modern couples in marriage, this brotherhood pact has become a unique way for two people of any gender to demonstrate their unending commitment in a partnership of equals. What a vibe!

 

And, although queer love wasn’t openly celebrated in traditional Norse culture, it certainly is in contemporary times. This gives a fóstbræðralag blood oath some delightfully intimate undertones – a perfect choice for a modern LGBTQ+ Viking wedding. 

 

How to Include These Vows & Ritual:

During the wedding ceremony, take turns making a small cut on your palm using a sterilized edge. Be careful! After, clasp hands and take turns reciting the marriage oath. (See a demonstration in the video below, followed by symbolic blood-free alternatives.)

 

Picture it: See photos from a wedding 'blood letting ceremony' below

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by OfficiantJimmie (@officiantjimmie)

(Above: Officiant Jimmie Berguin writes "...the bride and groom cut their hands, then join blood soaked hands as they 'seal their union.' Wrapped around a ceremonial cloth as the betrothed made promises to one another and all that hardcore stuff...It’s intense, it’s metal af, and low key cool as hell to witness! Maddy & Gabe cut each others hands to add another level of commitment as husband and wife.", via @officiantjimmie)

 

 

Blood Alternatives for Your Viking Wedding Oath: 

 

For a creative alternative to blood, consider using “Alta” dye instead. Alta is a traditional red dye used in Indian weddings and will stain your skin red. It can be washed off following the ceremony, but be careful – it will permanently stain clothing. 

 

If you want a longer-lasting mark on your skin, use red henna or alcohol-based body paint. 

 

And for a blood alternative that’s spiritual in nature, use red wine or pomegranate juice as a symbol of your “life force,” poured over your clasped hands into the soil below with the help of your wedding officiant. 

Who is the blood sacrifice for in a Viking wedding?

 

Traditionally, Norse Gods like Thor and Freya were honored at Viking weddings. Thor (God of thunder, protection, and prosperity) and Freya (Goddess of love, abundance, and fertility) were often called upon for blessings of joy, wealth, security, and healthy children. 

 

Modern Pagans who practice blot rituals in their weddings usually make offerings to whichever gods they honor in everyday life, as well as those associated with marriage and love, including Thor, Freya, Frigg, and Odin. 

 

Related: How to Call the Corners & Cast a Circle for a Wiccan Wedding Ceremony

 

 

3. Norse Viking Wedding Vows (Norse Pagan Vows)

 

Officiant:

 

"(Partner One) and (Partner Two), it's time to join hands, now. After I read your declaration of intent, please answer "I do."

 

(Partner One), before Odin & the Old Gods, do you take (Partner Two) as your beloved  (husband / wife / spouse), to have and to hold, through laughter and in sadness, through challenges and successes, poverty or riches, to love, honor, and respect, so long as you both shall live? "

 

Partner One answers "I do."

 

(Repeat these vows with Partner Two)
 

These easy “I do” wedding vows are perfect for couples who want a Viking inspired wedding without a lot of speaking parts. Written by a professional Pagan wedding officiant as part of a full-length “Viking Wedding Ceremony Script,” these Norse pagan vows are a perfect choice for a short, sweet ceremony. 

 

How to Include These Vows:

 

Use these Viking themed vows in place of a traditional Declaration of Intent or “I do” vows in any wedding ceremony script. 

 

Related: 'We do' vs 'I do' - A Modern Twist on the Declaration of Intent and Joint Wedding Vows

 

 

4. Short Viking Wedding Vows with Sword Exchange 

 

Short Viking wedding vows with sword exchange: 

 

“With this blade, I pledge my love and support.”

Longer, lighthearted variation with sword exchange:

 

“I love you for your honesty, your beauty, and your sharp wit – which is almost as sharp as this sword, but not quite! I pledge to you my heart and hand in marriage.” 

 

Ancient folklore tells stories of Viking grooms ‘stealing’ a sword from a family member’s gravesite to give to their brides in a wedding sword exchange, so that it could be passed down to their future children as an heirloom. The bride also gave a family sword to the groom during the ceremony, and wedding rings were sometimes attached to the swords’ hilts as part of the exchange.

 

How to Include These Vows & Ritual:

 

This can be added to any wedding ceremony, just exchange wedding swords in place of a basic wedding ring exchange. Some couples take turns placing the tip of the blade in the ground and kneeling while taking their vows. Other couples prefer to stay standing, and offer the sword to their partner with two hands (placed flat on their palms). 

 

For more information on exchanging swords, check out the great resources below: 

 

• 6 Ways to Include a Sword in Your Wedding Ceremony
• The Magic & Meaning of Viking Wedding Rings

 

 

5. Blót Ritual Vows: Viking Wedding Blood Anointment 

 

Both partners will speak the vow and pour a blood offering (or symbolic substitute) onto the marriage altar: 

“(Partner’s Name), I promise you my unending love and devotion. To Freyja and Thor, for their blessings of bounty and strength upon our marriage, I offer my life blood and give my word as bond.” 

 

You may have heard of traditional wedding blot rituals, which used animal’s blood as a symbolic sacrifice to the Old Gods (often a goat, associated with Thor, or a female pig, associated with Freya). Modern wedding blot rituals usually substitute wine, mead, honey, or pomegranate juice in place of blood – making today’s rituals vegan-friendly and a lot less messy.

 

How to Include These Vows & Ritual:

 

Place a bowl of “blood” on the altar (ethically-sourced animal's blood or a creative alternative, such as mead, wine, or juice). When it’s time, say your marriage vows and sprinkle the “blood” on a ceremonial fire or shrine as an offering to the gods.

 

Related: Pagan Weddings: Ideas for Offerings to Gods and Ancestors

 

 

6. Viking Wedding Vows and Unity Toast

 

Officiant: 

 

"(Partner One and Partner Two), do you take each other now as lawful spouses, to live together as (husband and wife / partners for life)?" 

Couple says "We do!" 

 

Officiant:

 

"Do you vow to be patient, faithful, and kind to each other, through all life’s seasons?"

 

Couple says "We do!"

 

Officiant:

 

"Then lift your cup and make this toast, to your love and your future, come sunshine or storms! Drink to the fierce bravery of partnership, and the sweet rewards of compromise. Today you are married, may your years be long and joyful together! "

 

All together, everyone cheers "Skal!"

 

Last, consider these heartfelt wedding vows followed by the traditional Viking toast, “skal!” If you’ve written your own vows, you can recite these before the officiant’s toast and blessing instead of the ‘call and response’ vows above. Make this ritual your own! 

 

How to Include These Vows & Ritual:

 

Use Viking drinking horns for an authentic experience that you and your guests will always remember. Decide before the ceremony whether the officiant will pass you your cups for the toast, or if you will pour your partner’s drink as part of the ceremony. Then raise your glass, and drink! Non-alcoholic options are also a great choice for couples who want the Viking vibe without the buzz.

 

 

Explore More Viking Wedding Ideas and Inspiration from American Marriage Ministries

 

• Viking Weddings: Magic, Swords, Runes, Ritual Sacrifice, and More
• When Pagans Wed: Modern Paganism & the Wedding Ritual
• Norse Runes for Wedding Altars, Rings, and Invitations - The Full Elder Futhark Alphabet
• Celebrate a Traditional “Honey Moon” with a Month of Mead and Romance
• Marriage Advice From 5 Ancient Gods & Goddesses
• Online Ordination for Modern Pagans: Why it’s So Important, Especially Now
   

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Have a Friend Officiate Your Wedding with Online Ordination Through AMM

 

Personalize your wedding ceremony even more by having a friend or family member serve as your wedding officiant! Friends can officiate a wedding by getting ordained online with American Marriage Ministries. Our ordinations are free and it only takes a couple seconds to complete the online application to become a minister.

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American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings across the U.S. After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started!

 

 

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