Our wedding vows and the promises we make to our true love are the most important part of our wedding day. The evolution of culture, tradition and the structure of relationships can sometimes call for something a little different. A growing number of couples are choosing to create their own wedding vows with a unique and significant meaning that relates to their relationship. Whether you want the standard “repeat after me” or are stepping outside of the box, these traditional wedding vows provide a place to begin.
Nondenominational Traditional Wedding Vows
These traditional wedding vows are simple and sincere. They encompass what our promises to a relationship should be. They can also be modified easily to fit your unique relationship and promises to each other.
"I, ___, take you, ___, to be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not. I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all of our years, and forevermore.
"___, I take you as my wife/husband, with all of your weaknesses and all of your strengths, as I offer myself to you, with my weaknesses, my strengths and all that I am. I will stand beside you and offer my helping hand and support, and trust in you and turn to you when I need the same. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life."
Catholic Traditional Wedding Vows
Catholic traditional wedding vows offer something a little more familiar. Christian wedding vows are usually a variation of these. The exchange of vows are spoken separately by the couple, one after the other.
"I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."
"I, ___, take you, ___, to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."
Buddhist Traditional Wedding Vows
If you want to add a little peace and harmony to your nuptials, Buddhist traditional wedding vows could be the way to go. While we most commonly hear an officiant speak to the couple separately, in Buddhist tradition, the couple is addressed together and responds by answering in unison.
Officiant: "___ and ___ do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration, and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity?”
Couple: “We do.”
Officiant: “Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other's person is also a mystery to us, do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?”
Couple: “We do.”
Officiant: “Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth and that internally your own minds and emotions will sometimes get stuck in negativity, do you pledge to see all these circumstances as a challenge to help you grow, to open your hearts, to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others who are suffering?”
Couple: “We do.”
Officiant: "Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other's potential and inner beauty as an example, rather than spiraling inwards and becoming self-absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?"
Couple: “We do.”
Cherokee Traditional Wedding Vows
Cherokee traditional wedding vows offer a little prayer to the exchange. If you want to add peace and oneness with nature, you might consider this prayer or a variation of it.
Couple: “God in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor Mother Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind and ask that we sail through life safe and calm as in our fathers' arms. We honor water to clean and soothe our relationship, that it may never thirst for love. With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony as we grow forever young together. Amen.”
Hindu Traditional Wedding Vows
If you want to hold a ceremony with the rituals and customs of a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, you might consider taking the “seven steps” with Hindu traditional wedding vows and honor the fire god, Agni.
Couple: "Let us take the first step to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.” The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Couple: "Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock." The couple makes one circle around a fire.
Whether you choose traditional wedding vows, mix and match or create a unique version of your own, always look into your heart for inspiration. If you are searching for the perfect place to say "I do," contact Crystal Ballroom wedding venues for a fully designed and decorated wedding of your dreams.
