Almost everyone is familiar with the sound of traditional wedding vows and ceremonies. For some people, traditional vows are the only sort that will do. There are a few styles of traditional vows to choose from below. You may wish to add your own embellishments.
There are also many different traditional types of ceremonies. You can find two samples after the Vows below. These are just a couple of many that are available through Cherish Ceremonies.
Vow Samples:
No. 1.
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (Bride or Groom's Name), take thee, (Bride or Groom's Name), to be my lawful wedded wife/ husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.
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Or
No. 2.
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (Bride or Groom's Name), take thee, (Bride or Groom's Name), to be my lawful wedded wife/ husband,
secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special day, I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you
in the presence (all those in attendance/these witnesses) my (pledge/sacred promise) to stay by your side as your wife/husband in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.
I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve (higher/all of your) goals,
laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
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Or
No. 3.
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (Bride or Groom's Name), take thee, (Bride or Groom's Name), to be my lawful wedded wife/ husband, knowing in my heart that you will be
my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.
On this special day, I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you in the presence of all those in attendance (these witnesses) my pledge (sacred promise/vow) to stay by your side as your husband/wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.
I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation, honour and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
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Full Traditional Marriage Ceremony
Celebrant: Groom and Bride, I would like to welcome you both here today to begin your marriage together. As you both know, marriage is founded on that sort of sincerity and understanding that leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. It involves respect for each other's weaknesses, prejudices and faults. A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home where family and friends will find welcome, peace and support, and which will be the base from which your shared life can extend.
Bride and Groom, in the joining of your lives together in marriage you will be walking the same road together. You met as individuals and as you share your lives allow each other room to grow and so become greater individuals.
Offer strength and encouragement when it is needed.
Praise each other's efforts and realise their failures.
Acknowledge all achievements, however small.
Convey any thoughts, confident, that they will go no further.
Express your fears and doubts without reservation.
For it is trust and communication that will support and strengthen your bond of love and friendship and pave the road you will travel.
From The Prophet Kahlil Gibran (read by Celebrant or friend/relative):
Love one another,
But make not a bond of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea
Between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup
But drink not from the same cup
Sing and dance together and be joyous,
But let each one of you be alone
Even as the strings of the lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts,
but not into each others keeping
For only the hand of life
Can contain your hearts
And stand together
Yet not too near together
For the pillars of the temple stand apart
And the oak tree and the cypress
Grow not in each others shadow.
Monitum (legal requirement)
Celebrant:
I Lynette McCauley am duly authorised by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Asking:
Celebrant: Name, will you take Name to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honour and keep her, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, and forsaking all others keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Groom: I will
Celebrant: Name, will you take Name, to be your lawful husband, will you love him, honour and keep him, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, and forsaking all others keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Bride: I will
Vows: (legal requirement - first sentence)
Groom : I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, __________, take you, _____________, to be my lawful wedded wife. Today I stand by you, proud and happy, of the special love we have found. Today we celebrate all that lies ahead. I promise to love, cherish, and honour you all the days of my life. When you need me, I will be there, and when your strength fails you, may mine always be there for you. I pledge to you faithfulness and friendship in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.
Bride : I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, __________, take you, _____________, to be my lawful husband. Today I stand by you, proud and happy, of the special love we have found. Today we celebrate all that lies ahead. I promise to love, cherish, and honour you all the days of my life. When you need me, I will be there, and when your strength fails you, may mine always be there for you. I pledge to you faithfulness and friendship in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.
Exchange of Rings
Groom: (Name), this ring I give you,
As my personal gift,
My personal promise of love and trust,
And pride you are my Wife.
Bride: (Name), this ring I give you,
As my personal gift,
My personal promise of love and trust,
And pride you are my Husband.
Celebrant: Now you will be known as husband and wife. As you prepare to start your married life, I would like to read to you a marriage prayer that dates to the times of the ancient Indians and is as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken.
Apache Marriage Prayer (read by Celebrant or friend/relative)
Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter to the other,
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other,
Now there is no more loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other,
Now you are two bodies,
but there is only one life before you.
May you live in love and joy together,
now and always.
Celebrant: Declaration of Marriage (legal requirement for celebrant to declare you Married)
In making public this bond, Name and Name, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
May you both retain the strength you need to keep the promises you have made.
May your home bring joy to your family and friends.
You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.
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Celebrant: We are gathered here today in the face of this company, to join together (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) in matrimony; which is an honourable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Parents: We do.
Celebrant to Groom: (Groom's Name), do you take (Bride's Name) for your lawful wedded wife, to live in matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?
Groom: I do.
Celebrant to Bride: (Bride's Name), do you take (Groom's Name) for your lawful wedded husband, to live in matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?
Bride: I do.
At this point the couple may improvise by playing a favorite song and/or reading.
Monitum: (legal requirement)
I Lynette McCauley am duly authorised by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Celebrant: (addressing the groom who repeats the marriage vows)
Vows Groom: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, Groom's Name, take thee, Bride's Name, to be my lawful 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, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.
Celebrant: then to the bride who repeats the marriage vows:
Vows Bride: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, Bride's Name ,take thee, Groom's Name, to be my lawful 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, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.
The Celebrant then asks for the brides and grooms ring.
Celebrant: (about brides ring): May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Groom: (placing ring on bride's finger): With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
Celebrant: (about groom's ring): May this ring be blessed so that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Bride: (placing ring on groom's finger): With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
You may want to play a song or some music here.
Celebrant: (Declaration of Marriage): May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name), are now beginning their married life together, we hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Celebrant: (to the couple): You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss.
Celebrant: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the loving couple Mr. and Mrs.…………
Music and Signing of the Register.
These are just some options in wording that one may use for traditional wedding vows/ceremonies. The best way to decide on the vows for you is to meet with your celebrant and discuss the myriad of options available in wedding ceremonies today.
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