Christian Wedding Vows: Traditional, Biblical, and Personalized Examples

Christian wedding vows are promises made to each other before God and your community, usually to love, honor and remain faithful for life. Many couples use the traditional wording their church has spoken for centuries, some weave in Scripture, and some add personal words. Below you will find example vows in each style, plus ring exchange wording, so you can choose with your officiant.

Key takeaways

• Ask your church first: Catholic, Anglican and some other churches use set vow wording, while many Protestant pastors welcome personal vows.
• The 1662 Book of Common Prayer vows are the source of familiar phrases such as "to have and to hold" and "for better for worse."
• Biblical vows draw on passages such as Ruth 1:16-17, 1 Corinthians 13 and Ecclesiastes 4:12.
• Personal vows work best when they are short, specific and similar in length for both partners.

Start with your church's guidelines

Before you fall in love with a set of vows, ask your officiant three questions: Does the church require specific wording? May we add personal words, and where? Will you lead us in a repeat-after-me format, or will we read or memorize our vows?

• Catholic weddings use the vows given in the Church's official rite. The approved forms include a version the couple speak and a version where the priest asks the questions and each partner answers. Personal words are often shared at the rehearsal dinner or reception instead.
• Anglican and Episcopal weddings generally use the vows in the church's prayer book.
• Many other Protestant and nondenominational churches let couples choose traditional vows, personal vows or both, often with the pastor's review.

Traditional vows: the 1662 Book of Common Prayer

Much of the wording people think of as "traditional wedding vows" comes from the Church of England's 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which is in the public domain. It is still used in some churches, and its phrases echo through many modern services.

The questions (declaration of intent)

The minister asks each partner a question before the vows. To the man:

"Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

He answers, "I will." A matching question is then asked of the woman.

The vows

The man says:

"I N. take thee N. to my wedded 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 us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."

The woman says:

"I N. take thee N. to my wedded 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, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

"Plight thee my troth" means "pledge you my faithfulness." The 1662 text asks only the woman to promise to obey. Many later prayer books and many couples today use the same promises for both partners, so talk with your officiant about the version you will use.

A common modern-language version

Many churches use a modern-language version of the traditional vow, similar to this:

"I, [name], take you, [name], to be my wife [or 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 we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow before God."

Biblical vows: examples rooted in Scripture

These original examples build on well-loved passages. Scripture phrases are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Adapt the wording to suit you, and share it with your officiant.

Based on Ruth 1:16-17

"[Name], before God and these witnesses, I give you my life. Where you go, I will go. Where you make your home, I will make mine. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. As Ruth said, 'whither thou goest, I will go.' I promise to walk beside you in faith, to stay when it is hard, and to love you until death parts us."

Based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"[Name], I promise to love you the way Scripture describes: to be patient and kind with you, to keep no record of wrongs, and to rejoice in the truth. When life asks much of us, I will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things beside you. With God's help, my love for you will not fail."

Based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"[Name], 'two are better than one,' and I believe God brought us together so that when one of us falls, the other will lift them up. I promise to be your partner in work and in rest, in joy and in sorrow. I ask God to be the third strand in our cord, for 'a threefold cord is not quickly broken.'"

Based on Colossians 3:12-14

"[Name], I promise to clothe myself each day with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience toward you. I will forgive as Christ forgave me, and above all I will put on love, which binds everything together. I give you this promise today and will keep it every day of my life."

Personalized Christian vows: three examples

Personal vows add your own story to your promises. Here are three original examples in different styles. For a step-by-step method with prompts, see our guide on how to write personalized Christian wedding vows.

Faith-centered

"[Name], I have prayed for you since before I knew your name. When we met, I saw God's kindness in the way you listen and the way you serve. Today I promise to put Christ at the center of our marriage, to pray with you and for you, to choose you on easy days and hard ones, and to love you with a love that keeps growing. All that I am, I give to you."

Story-led

"[Name], three years ago you held an umbrella over a stranger in a church parking lot, and that stranger was me. You have been sheltering me ever since. I promise to shelter you too: to be honest with you, to laugh with you, to sit with you in hospital waiting rooms and at kitchen tables, and to keep finding new reasons to thank God for you, for as long as we both shall live."

Short and simple

"[Name], I love you. Before God, I promise to be faithful to you, to forgive you, to cheer for you and to care for you in sickness and in health. I will follow Christ beside you all the days of my life."

Ring exchange wording

The ring exchange usually follows the vows. Here are three options.

1662 Book of Common Prayer:

"With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

In this older English, "worship" means to honor.

Simple modern (original):

"[Name], I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Scripture-inspired (original):

"[Name], wear this ring as a seal upon your heart. As the Song of Solomon says, 'many waters cannot quench love.' With it I pledge you my life."

Tips for saying your vows on the day

• Repeat after me works. Most officiants break vows into short phrases you repeat, so you do not need to memorize them.
• Keep personal vows similar in length. Agree on a rough length, such as one or two minutes each.
• Give your officiant a printed copy. Bring a vow book or card, and give the officiant a backup.
• Practice aloud. Read your vows to yourself a few times so the words feel natural.

Plan it in WeddingOS: add "send vows to officiant" and "print vow books" to your shared checklist with due dates, so nothing is left to the night before. Create your free wedding plan.

Frequently asked questions

What are the traditional Christian wedding vows?

The best-known traditional vows come from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer: "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." Many churches now use a modern-language version of the same promises. Your church may have its own approved wording.

Can we write our own vows for a Catholic wedding?

Catholic weddings use the vows in the Church's official rite, so couples generally do not replace them with personal vows. Many couples share personal words at the rehearsal dinner or reception instead. Ask your priest what is possible in your parish.

Do Christian wedding vows have to include "obey"?

No, not in most churches today. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer asked only the woman to promise to obey, but many later prayer books and many couples use identical promises for both partners. Talk with your officiant about the wording your church uses.

How long should Christian wedding vows be?

Traditional vows take less than a minute to say. Personal vows are often one to two minutes each. Agree on a length with your partner so your vows feel balanced.

What does "plight thee my troth" mean?

"Plight thee my troth" is older English for "pledge you my faithfulness" or "promise you my loyalty." It appears in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer vows. Some modern versions replace it with "this is my solemn vow."

Related guides

• How to Write Personalized Christian Wedding Vows
• 50 Beautiful Bible Verses for Wedding Ceremonies
• Christian Wedding Ceremony Order: Traditional and Modern Examples
• Christian Wedding Prayers and Blessings
• Christian-Hindu Wedding Vows and Ceremony Ideas

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