Traditional Wedding Vows: Complete Guide + 25 Beautiful Examples
Discover the timeless beauty of traditional wedding vows. Learn their meaning, history, and how to make them your own.
What Are Traditional Wedding Vows?
Traditional wedding vows are time-honored promises exchanged during marriage ceremonies, typically following formats used for generations in religious or cultural contexts. They emphasize lifelong commitment, faithfulness, and partnership through formal, reverent language that has stood the test of time.
The History of Traditional Wedding Vows
The wedding vows we recognize today have roots stretching back centuries. The most familiar version—"to have and to hold, from this day forward"—comes from the Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549 during the English Reformation.
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer crafted these words to create a standardized marriage ceremony for the Church of England. His genius was in distilling the essence of marriage commitment into phrases so powerful they've endured for over 470 years.
What makes traditional vows remarkable is their staying power. While fashions, customs, and even language itself have evolved dramatically, these words continue to resonate. They capture something fundamental about the marriage promise: commitment through all circumstances, for a lifetime.
Key Elements of Traditional Vows
"To Have and to Hold"
This phrase represents both physical and emotional intimacy. "To have" speaks to the exclusive bond of marriage, while "to hold" suggests comfort, protection, and emotional support.
"For Better, For Worse"
A commitment to stay together through all circumstances—celebrating victories and supporting each other through challenges. This phrase acknowledges that life brings both joy and hardship.
"For Richer, For Poorer"
A promise that your commitment transcends financial circumstances. Whether you experience abundance or struggle, the partnership remains steadfast.
"In Sickness and In Health"
Perhaps the most tested of all vows, this promises to care for your partner through illness and celebrate vitality together. It's a vow of caregiving and compassion.
"Till Death Do Us Part"
The ultimate commitment—a promise for life. This phrase emphasizes the permanent, unbreakable nature of the marriage bond.
25 Traditional Wedding Vow Examples
Classic Christian Vows
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wedded 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 do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge myself to you."
"I, [Name], take thee, [Name], to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband/wife, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my spouse, 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
"In the name of God, 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, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
"I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, [Name], do take thee, [Name], to be my lawful wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part."
Traditional Catholic Vows
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], 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 in health, until death do us part."
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."
"[Name], I take you to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us."
Protestant Traditional Vows
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wedded wife/husband. With deepest joy I receive you into my life that together we may be one. As is appointed for us by God, I promise you my love, my devotion, my faith and my honor as I join my life to yours."
"Before God and these witnesses, I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wife/husband, and I promise to love you, to honor and cherish you, in prosperity and adversity, in health and sickness, in joy and sorrow, and to be faithful to you until death shall separate us."
"I, [Name], choose you, [Name], to be my wife/husband, my friend, my love, the mother/father of our children. I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph. I will cherish you, respect you, and sustain you with tenderness as long as we both shall live."
Secular Traditional Vows
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. I promise to love and comfort you, honor and keep you, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and to be faithful to you as long as we both shall live."
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together."
"I, [Name], offer you myself in marriage, and I commit myself to you. With this ring, I give you my promise that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home. Today I choose you to be my wife/husband."
"I, [Name], promise to love and support you, [Name], through all the joys and challenges ahead. I promise to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, to honor and respect you, and to stand by your side as long as we both shall live."
Short Traditional Vows
"I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to love you and to cherish you all the days of my life."
"I take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."
"I promise to love and honor you all the days of my life."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day."
"With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my faithful love."
Traditional Vows with a Modern Touch
"I, [Name], choose you, [Name], to be my wife/husband, to respect you in your successes and in your failures, to care for you in sickness and in health, to nurture you, and to grow with you throughout the seasons of life."
"I promise to be your lover, companion, and friend. Your partner in parenthood, your ally in conflict, your greatest fan and your toughest adversary. Your comrade in adventure, your student and your teacher, your consolation in disappointment, your accomplice in mischief. I promise to love you faithfully, through the best and worst of what is to come, as long as we both shall live."
"I vow to be your faithful partner, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I will respect you, encourage you, cherish you, and love you unconditionally. Together we will face the future, whatever it may bring, and I will stand by your side as your spouse for all the days of my life."
How to Personalize Traditional Wedding Vows
You don't have to choose between traditional and personal. Here's how to honor tradition while making your vows uniquely yours:
1. Keep the Structure, Add Your Voice
Use the traditional format as your foundation, then add specific promises that reflect your relationship:
"I take you to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to be your biggest cheerleader as you pursue your dreams, to make you laugh when you're taking life too seriously, and to be your safe harbor in every storm..."
2. Modernize the Language
Keep the meaning but update the wording to feel more natural to you. Instead of "to have and to hold," you might say "to love and to cherish" or "to be your partner and your home."
3. Add Meaningful Additions
Include promises that matter to your specific relationship: "I promise to always dance with you in the kitchen," "I vow to support your career dreams," or "I promise to make Sunday mornings sacred for just the two of us."
4. Honor Your Culture
Blend traditional Western vows with elements from your cultural heritage. This creates something that honors both tradition and your unique background.
When to Choose Traditional Vows
Traditional vows are perfect if:
- •You're having a religious ceremony where traditional vows are expected or required
- •You feel nervous about public speaking and prefer shorter, time-tested words
- •You're drawn to the gravitas and history of classical vow language
- •You and your partner prefer formality and tradition in important moments
- •You want your ceremony to feel timeless rather than contemporary
- •You appreciate the beauty of phrases that have united couples for centuries
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes wedding vows 'traditional'?
Traditional wedding vows typically follow time-honored formats used in religious or cultural ceremonies for generations. They often include phrases like 'to have and to hold,' 'in sickness and in health,' and 'till death do us part.' Traditional vows emphasize commitment, faithfulness, and lifelong partnership with formal, reverent language.
Can I personalize traditional wedding vows?
Absolutely! Many couples use traditional vows as a foundation and add personal touches. You can keep the classic structure while incorporating your own promises, memories, or meaningful phrases. This gives you the timeless feel of traditional vows while making them uniquely yours.
What are the most common traditional wedding vow phrases?
The most iconic traditional phrases include: '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,' and 'Till death do us part.' These phrases have been used in wedding ceremonies for centuries.
Do traditional vows have to be religious?
No, traditional vows don't have to be religious. While many traditional vows originate from religious ceremonies, you can use the classic structure and formal language without religious references. Many secular ceremonies use traditional vow formats that focus on commitment and partnership without mentioning deity or faith.
How long should traditional wedding vows be?
Traditional vows are typically shorter than personalized vows, usually taking 30 seconds to 2 minutes to recite. The classic format is concise and powerful, focusing on essential promises rather than lengthy narratives. This brevity is part of their timeless appeal.