Wedding Vows: A Complete Guide to 6 Styles with 36 Examples

From sacred traditions to modern promises—find inspiration for your perfect vows

Table of Contents

• Why Vows Matter
• 6 Vow Styles Explained
• How to Write Your Own
• Cultural Considerations
• Quick Reference

Why Vows Matter

Wedding vows serve three purposes:

• Legal: They formalize your commitment in many jurisdictions
• Personal: They articulate your promises to each other
• Communal: They invite your loved ones to witness your bond

Recommended length: 1-2 minutes when spoken (100-200 words)

6 Vow Styles Explained

1. Traditional Religious
Source-based vows from established faith traditions

Christian (Protestant)

"I, _____, take you, _____, to be my spouse, 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."

Catholic

"I, _____, take you, _____, to be my spouse. 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."

Jewish (English)

"Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel."

Hindu (Saptapadi - Seven Steps)

"Let us take the first step together for nourishment, the second for strength, the third for prosperity, the fourth for wisdom, the fifth for progeny, the sixth for health, and the seventh for friendship. You are my companion for life."

Islamic (Nikah)

"I accept you as my spouse in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him."

Buddhist

"I promise to help you develop your heart and mind, cultivating compassion, patience, and wisdom as we journey through life together."

Note: Always consult with your religious leader about proper wording and ceremony requirements.

2. Cultural Blessings
Community-centered promises that honor heritage

Irish Blessing (Adapted)

"May our love be like the misty rain, gentle coming so our joy may grow. May we find shelter in each other through all seasons of our lives."

African-American Jumping the Broom

"As we jump this broom together, we sweep away our single lives and leap into our shared future, honoring those who came before us."

Celtic Handfasting

"I bind my life to yours, that our lives may be one life, and our love a single love that grows stronger with each passing season."

Native American (General)

"Now we will feel no rain, for each of us will be shelter for the other. Now we will feel no cold, for each of us will be warmth to the other."

Cultural Note: When drawing from traditions outside your heritage, research respectfully and consider seeking permission from cultural representatives.

3. Modern Secular
Contemporary promises emphasizing choice and growth

Partnership Focused

"I choose you today and promise to choose you again tomorrow. I commit to growing alongside you, supporting your dreams, and building a life that honors both who we are now and who we're becoming."

Equality Emphasis

"I promise to respect you as an individual, to support your autonomy, and to be your partner in all things—knowing that we complement, not complete, each other."

Growth-Oriented

"I commit to loving who you are today and trusting who you will become. I promise to evolve with you, to communicate honestly, and to face life's changes as a team."

Non-Binary Inclusive

"I, _____, choose you, _____, as my life partner. I promise to honor your authentic self, support your journey, and walk beside you with love and respect."

Resilience Promise

"I vow to love you in easy times and difficult ones, when our relationship feels effortless and when it requires our best effort. I promise to keep choosing us."

Adventure Vow

"I promise to be your companion in adventure, your comfort in difficulty, and your partner in building a life full of purpose, joy, and discovery."

4. Poetic & Romantic
Metaphorical and lyrical expressions of love

Nature Metaphor

"Like roots intertwining beneath the earth, our love grows deeper and stronger with time. I promise to be your shelter in storms and your sunshine in darkness."

Journey Theme

"You are my chosen traveling companion on this journey of life. I promise to walk beside you on smooth paths and rough terrain, sharing the load and celebrating the views."

Home Metaphor

"In you, I have found my home. I promise to be your safe harbor, your place of rest, and your launching pad for dreams."

Celestial Theme

"You are my North Star, my constant in an ever-changing sky. I promise to navigate life's journey with you, guided by the light of our love."

Literary Style

"I promise to write our love story together—through plot twists and peaceful chapters, knowing that the best stories are those shared between two hearts."

Musical Metaphor

"Our love is a song that grows more beautiful with each verse. I promise to keep making music with you, harmonizing through all of life's melodies."

5. Humorous & Personal
Light-hearted vows that celebrate your unique relationship

Food-Focused

"I promise to share my fries with you, to always save you the last bite of dessert, and to never judge your questionable midnight snack choices."

Daily Life

"I vow to love you even when you leave dishes in the sink, to share the blankets (most of the time), and to laugh with you about our future 'old married couple' quirks."

Quirks & Habits

"I promise to love your terrible dad jokes, to pretend your cooking experiments are delicious, and to always be impressed by your random trivia knowledge."

Future Adventures

"I vow to be your partner in crime, your fellow Netflix binger, and your co-conspirator in avoiding adult responsibilities whenever possible."

"I vow to be your partner in crime, your fellow Netflix binger, and your co-conspirator in avoiding adult responsibilities whenever possible."

Endearing Flaws

"I love your snoring, your inability to whisper in movies, and your complete lack of direction sense. I promise to love all your perfectly imperfect ways."

Growing Old Together

"I can't wait to grow old and cranky with you, to complain about 'kids these days' together, and to tell everyone how much better things were in our day."

6. Blended & Interfaith
Vows that honor multiple traditions or create new ones

Interfaith Christian-Jewish

"Before God and in the presence of our families, I take you as my spouse, honoring both our traditions as we create new ones together."

Secular-Spiritual Blend

"I promise to honor the sacred in the everyday, to find meaning in our shared moments, and to approach our marriage with reverence and joy."

Family-Blending

"I take you as my spouse and embrace your children as my own. Together, we create a family built on love, respect, and commitment to each other's happiness."

Cultural Fusion

"Drawing strength from our diverse backgrounds, I promise to honor your heritage while we build new traditions that reflect our unique love story."

Second Marriage

"Having learned from life's lessons, I choose you with wisdom and gratitude. I promise to bring my whole heart to this new chapter of our lives."

LGBTQ+ Affirmation

"I celebrate the journey that brought us here and the courage it took to live authentically. I promise to honor our love and stand proudly beside you."

Writing Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Style

Pick 1-2 styles from above that resonate with you both.

Step 2: Brainstorm Content

Answer these questions:

• What moment made you know they were "the one"?
• What do you most admire about your partner?
• What specific promises do you want to make?
• What challenges do you want to acknowledge?
• What hopes do you have for your future?

Step 3: Structure Your Vows

Opening: How you feel about them
Body: 3-5 specific promises
Closing: Your commitment statement

Step 4: Edit and Practice

• Keep it to 100-200 words
• Balance emotion with specificity
• Read aloud to check flow
• Have a backup copy on your wedding day

Template

"_____ [partner's name], [opening statement about your love].
I promise to [specific commitment #1].
I promise to [specific commitment #2].
I promise to [specific commitment #3].
[Closing commitment statement]."

Cultural Considerations

Religious Vows

• Consult with your officiant about required wording
• Some traditions have non-negotiable elements
• Consider both partners' comfort levels with religious language

Cultural Traditions

• Research the origins and significance of any cultural elements
• Seek guidance from cultural representatives when appropriate
• Avoid appropriating sacred or closed practices

Inclusive Language

• Use "partner/spouse" for gender-neutral options
• Consider your audience when choosing terminology
• Ensure both partners feel represented in the language

Remember: The best vows are authentic to your relationship. Use these examples as inspiration, but make them uniquely yours.

Need more help? Let Octoom assist you to craft vows that perfectly capture your love story.