Wedding Vows: How To Write Them Plus 33 Examples

If you’re wondering, ‘what are wedding vows?’ and ‘how do you begin writing them?’ then you’ve come to the right place! Perhaps you’re also looking for helpful examples of what are vows. Here, we’ll be discussing all things wedding vow-related and provide ample examples to help inspire your own writing. 

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What Are Wedding Vows?

Before you can begin thinking about and writing your vows, you must first understand the question, what are wedding vows? Ultimately, your vows serve as the focal point of your wedding day. Without marriage vows, weddings are simply a ceremony instead of a binding lifetime commitment.

So, what are vows exactly? They’re the specific promises you intend to uphold throughout your marriage. The lines you recite and exchange on your big day act as your marriage contract and the guide for your endless relationship.

There are countless ways to write your wedding vows. You could opt for a more serious and religious tone in which you honor your love and spirituality. Or perhaps you want your vows to be romantic and memorable. If you’re more into humor, your wedding vows can also have a funnier tone to them.

No matter how you choose to write your wedding vows, their main purpose is to be your way of expressing your love and commitment to your soon-to-be spouse.

How To Write Your Wedding Vows: Step By Step

1. Talk With Your Partner

First, talk with your partner to better understand what wedding vows are going to look like for your unique relationship. Some couples choose to have a simple wedding with an exchange of traditional vows while others want to write their own heartfelt lines. Will each of you be writing your own or will you be going off script and speaking from the heart?

Sometimes, couples choose to have well-coordinated vows in which both their scripts match and fit within the other perfectly. So, will you be writing your vows together or individually? Furthermore, will you share them beforehand or will it be a surprise? Do you want the vow exchange to be personal and private or read aloud at the ceremony?

You also may want to coordinate with your partner on the timeline to write your vows or have them done by. You don’t want to be writing them last minute, so maybe you both should agree to have them complete a few weeks before the wedding. Or perhaps take the time as a couple to sit down together, yet write individual vows as a sweet date night idea.

2. Decide On The Tone And Structure

Not only will you as the vow writer want to decide on the tone of your lines, but you may also want to confer with your partner to ensure the tones of your vows are the same or at least similar in style. If your partner is writing romantic and incredibly vulnerable vows, you most likely wouldn’t want to follow their speech up with vows that belong in a stand-up special. 

Ultimately, choose a tone that best matches the style of your relationship whether that be romantic, sentimental, religious, humorous, traditional, or heartfelt. As for structure, consider if you want it to feel more conversational, be narrative-style, a list, have a love letter format, or anything in between.

3. Research And Look Up Popular Examples

As with most things, when it comes to wedding planning, you’ll probably want to do your proper research and use the resources you have available. The internet has seemingly endless sources. Try to find a wide variety of wedding vow examples to get a better feel for what are wedding vows and how can they be structured.

Even wedding vows from movies could potentially serve as inspiration in your search. Through your research, you’ll likely discover what the most common lines are when it comes to wedding vows. These examples, plus the ones included later in this blog, can be incredibly helpful when it comes time to write your own.

4. Write Down What You Love Most About Your Partner

As you finally begin thinking about what to write to your partner, start by writing a list of everything you love the most about them. This could be everything from simple personality traits to heartfelt examples of all the times you’ve seen their good character shine bright.

5. Write Down Your Favorite Memories 

Following your list of what you love about your partner, try writing down your favorite memories of them and your relationship. Having a tangible list of your favorite aspects and memories with your partner will be incredibly helpful to reference as you write the real vows. The more personal your promises are, the more heartfelt and sincere they’ll feel to your spouse and everyone in attendance to witness your delightful vows.

6. Come Up With Promises

Vows refer to promises. They’re your commitments to one another. Next, you’ll want to start writing down promises you need to and want to uphold once you and your partner are officially married. How do you see your future together and what can you promise to do to support your partner and your growing relationship?

7. Consider What You Hope For Your Future

Your wedding day is the beginning of this beautiful next chapter in your endless love story. When it comes to explaining what are wedding vows, above all else, they represent action items for your future. What are your hopes and dreams for your future together? Start writing these plans down, too, as you may want to mention your future goals within your vows.

8. Decide On An Ending Line

Starting your wedding vows can be difficult, but ending them may prove even harder. Your ending line serves as a powerful statement. It’s the final thought you’ll leave your partner, the officiant, and your friends and family with as a way to showcase your love and commitment. Use this line to effectively summarize your love and relationship in a way that best represents you as a person.

9. Practice It Out Loud 

Practice does, in fact, make perfect. Your wedding day will be one full of nerves, excitement, and emotion. By practicing your wedding vows loud and proud beforehand, you’ll feel more confident when it comes to reciting them on your big day. Try reciting them in a mirror to yourself, or even recruit the help of a family member, friend, or someone in your bridal party or wedding party to help offer feedback and support. 

10. Consider A Vow Book

As we’re exploring further what are wedding vows, you may also be wondering what a vow book is. Vow books can be a fun, tangible way to jot down your ideas and keep track of your wedding vow drafts.

These booklets include plenty of pages to write down your thoughts, hopes, memories, and love letters as you start brainstorming. To start, ask yourself, what are the marriage vows you want to exchange with your partner?

Shop Now: The Art of Etiquette Wedding Vow Book

33 Examples of Wedding Vows You Can Steal

Romantic Wedding Vows

It’s time to dig deep and let your emotions shine bright by writing your very own romantic wedding vows. Above all else, allow yourself to be vulnerable as you showcase your love and affection towards your partner with heartfelt, personalized promises.

If you’re wondering what wedding vows are considered romantic in tone, below are some helpful examples to reference as you write your own.

1. Destined For Each Other

You aren’t just the love of my life; you are the soulmate I was destined to find. I, [Your Name], am honored to take you, [Partner’s Name], as my [husband/ wife]. You are my destiny. You are my future. I vow to be by your side through thick and thin as we continue our lives in union.

2. Let’s Get Building

You’re my perfect match. I am so grateful to have found someone to build a future with. I vow to always be by your side and continue to build our relationship together, even when we’re old and gray. From this day forward, let’s start building and never stop. Let’s build up our love, build us a home, and build a little family to call our own.

3. Our Never-ending Story

I, [Your Name], vow to take you, [Partner’s Name], as my spouse as we begin the first chapter of our never-ending story of love. I promise to strive to make each page better than the last as we overcome the challenges of life together.

4. Devoted To You

From this day forward, I vow to be devoted solely to you. You are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. You are my everything and my forever. I vow to devote the remainder of my time on this Earth to loving you. 

5. What Are Wedding Vows Disney Fans Might Say?

It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that I, [Your Name], take you, [Partner’s Name] to be my greatest adventure yet. I vow to love you to infinity and beyond. I vow to treat you like the [prince/ princess] you deserve to be. Together, we’ll create our own fairytale.

6. My Favorite Good Morning

I, [Your Name], vow to be the rock, the anchor, the one consistent person you can count on in a life of uncertainty. I promise to never go to bed angry, but always with an “I love you.” You are my favorite “Good Morning,” and I promise to always wake up by your side, ready to take on the world together.

7. Worth The Wait

Despite the delays and rescheduling, I [Your Name], am more ready than ever to finally take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/ wife]. I promise this ceremony was worth the wait as I vow to love and support you through whatever further curveballs come our way. Together, we can tackle anything.

8. What Are Wedding Vows Using A Sweet Metaphor?

I’m told marriage is the bridge between two shores. Now that we share this path and connection, I vow to offer endless support to ensure this bridge remains sturdy and true. I vow to stay on this pathway and always be by your side as two shores become one. 

9. My Greatest Treasure

Life put me on a path and gave me a gift. You are my greatest treasure, and I vow to treasure you until the end of time. I truly believe we were meant to find one another, and I am grateful for that. I promise to continue on life’s path with you as we pave a new road in our lifelong journey that begins today. 

10. Better Together

Loving you comes easy when two hearts beat as one. We are two minds on the same wavelength. No matter what obstacles come our way, I vow to act and react as a unit that can weather any storm. We are a pair. We are in this together, forever.

11. What Are Wedding Vows That Reference Family?

I, [Your Name], gladly welcome you, [Partner’s Name], into my family and feel so welcomed by yours. With this ring, we begin our lifelong commitment, and you will forever be family to me. Together, we’ll start a family of our own, and I promise to remain equal partners as we learn and grow through this relationship together.

Funny Wedding Vows

Writing your own wedding vows can be a heartfelt experience, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be humorous. Adding humor to your vows can be a great way to relieve some of the nerves and emotions while also bringing out your sincere personality. To make the humor truly hit home, it’s best to be as specific as possible by bringing up a short, funny anecdote or calling attention to you or your partner’s habits or personality.

So, what are wedding vows with a humorous twist and how do you write them? Below are some examples to help inspire your inner comedian.

12. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

I, [Your Name], promise to take you, [Partner’s Name] for all that you are. I promise to love and support you through the good times and the bad. No matter if you wake up with bed head, have something stuck in your teeth, or spill your coffee on the rug, I will love you through it all. Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly because with you, I know it’s all worth it.

13. Never Keeping Score

To me, love isn’t a game or competition. I vow to never keep score. Besides, I’d win too easily, and I recognize that wouldn’t be fair.

14. Binge-Watching Is Sacred

Here we are. Officially in this together for the long haul. I [Your Name], take you, [Partner’s Name] as my lifelong partner in crime. I promise to be faithful and true to you for as long as we both shall live. But above all else, I promise to never watch our favorite binge-worthy shows without you.

15. Vowing To Stay Alert And Engaged

I, [Your Name], vow from this day forward to listen to you intently through it all, even when you’re talking about sports, or video games, or that other thing you love talking about. Let me be your go-to listener until death do us part.

16. Our Love Is Stronger Than Ikea

I promise to love you through the end of time. Our love knows no bounds. And trust me when I say that because our love is stronger than Ikea. We can withstand the endless maze of furniture, the constant indecisiveness, and even the confusing building instructions once home. If we can survive that, our love can survive anything.

17. Respecting The Music

Love is bigger than both of us. That’s why I promise to love and respect your musical choices when you have the aux cord in the car. No matter how long the road trip may be, I love you so much, I’d listen to country music for you.

18. What Are Wedding Vows With A Nerdy Flair?

I, Player 1, take you, Player 2, to be my lifelong duos partner. I vow to always watch your back and help you gain experience from quest to quest. From this day forward, two players become one as we take on the ultimate boss battle of marriage and vow to always level up our love.

19. Vowing To Navigate Through Life Together

I vow to be your right-hand [man/ gal], your navigator, your co-pilot. Both metaphorically through life and in actuality on long road trips. Oh, speaking of road trips, we can’t forget the snacks! I promise to be the snack provider, too!

20. Always Be Prepared

Wow, this is a lot of people and a lot of pressure. I heard this is the time I read my vows. I wish I wrote some ahead of time… I guess that’s one, I vow to always be prepared, moving forward. How’s that?

21. I Love You More Than…

I, [Your Name], finally get to take you, [Partner’s Name], as my [husband/wife] after all this time. We’ve been through a lot, which is what makes our love so strong. I vow to love you and be faithful to you until the end of time. After all, I love you more than [walks on the beach, shopping, video games, etc.], which is a big statement for me.

22. Lab Partners For Life

Back in high school I never imagined I’d have such great chemistry with my lab partner. I vow to love you, all of you, every last atom of you until the sun burns out. I vow to love and support you even when you’re fully charged. We’re lab partners for life now.

Religious Wedding Vows

If you and your significant other are planning a traditional, religious wedding, you may want to reference the significance of your religion and spirituality in your vows. Oftentimes, different religions have pre-written traditional vows as part of the ceremony. Or these vows are formatted as a call and response led by the officiant.

In addition to the traditional ceremony’s lines, you may wish to write some personalized vows of your own. Below are some examples of what are vows couples of various religions can use and further customize for their big day.

23. Traditional Protestant Vows

In the name of God, I, [Your Name], take you, [Partner’s Name], to be my lawfully wedded spouse from this day forward, now and forevermore. I solemnly vow to support and honor you for the rest of my life, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health. I promise to love and cherish you until death do us part.

24. Vows Acknowledging God & Your Spirituality

With God as my witness, I promise to love and support you, [Partner’s Name], unconditionally for as long as I shall live. You are my soulmate. You make me whole. I vow to stay faithful to our relationship as we embark on this journey together through faith and love in hopes of better understanding ourselves, God, and the world around us.

25. Jewish Wedding Vows To Recite After Sheva Brachot

I, [Your Name], take you, [Partner’s Name] to be my [husband/ wife]. I promise to cherish and protect you through good fortune and poor as we create a life hallowed by the faith of Israel.

26. What Are Wedding Vows For Muslim Weddings?

I, [Your Name], offer myself in marriage to you, [Partner’s Name], in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet. May peace and blessings be upon him. With honesty and sincerity, I pledge to be a loving and faithful [husband/wife].

27. Catholic Wedding Vows

I [Your Name] take you, [Partner’s Name], as 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 forever, for all the days of my life.

28. Traditional Hindu Wedding Vows

Take us through the seven steps to help us strengthen our relationship as we pray for nourishment, health, prosperity, and family. With our seventh step, let us become true companions and remain lifelong partners by this bond.

29. What Are Wedding Vows For Buddhists?

I, [Your Name], pledge to always help [Partner’s Name] as we develop our hearts and minds together to cultivate compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration, and wisdom. I recognize that our path through life won’t always be easy, but I open myself up to you. I pledge to enjoy this journey together as we examine our minds, grow through life, and preserve our affection towards each other.

30. Interfaith Wedding Vow Example

I, [Your Name], vow to take you, [Partner’s Name] as my spouse. I vow to stay true to you as we grow through life together for as long as we both shall live. I feel grateful to have found someone who respects my spirituality as much as they respect their own. I promise to always be by your side, to be your support system forevermore.

31. What Are Vows Baptists Can Say?

I, [Your Name], take thee, [Partner’s Name], to be my [husband/ wife]. Before God and these witnesses, I promise to be a true and faithful spouse for as long as I shall live.

32. Referencing A Religious Verse In Your Vows

As I, [Your Name], take you, [Partner’s Name] to be my [husband/ wife] in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, I am reminded of Matthew 19:6 – “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Today, I vow to love and support you every day for the rest of my life. I am so grateful that God joined our paths together so the two of us can now become one.

33. Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs… Love never fails.”

How To Write Wedding Vows: Frequently Asked Questions

How To Write Wedding Vows: Infographic

Let’s Get Writing!

Now that we went over what are wedding vows and how to write them, it’s time to start brainstorming your own heartfelt lines. We hope that our various examples served as inspiration in terms of the tone, structure, and content you’re looking to include in your own vows.

As you’re asking yourself what are the marriage vows that are important to you, don’t forget to jot down any and all of your ideas into a handy vow book in order to keep your thoughts organized. You never know when inspiration may strike or what fleeting thought or memory can actually have a powerful impact on your finalized vows.

Don’t forget to enjoy the process of writing as you express your love and commitment through your written vows. Your wedding vows truly are lines that’ll last a lifetime.