Wedding Vows

Vows, those intimate words stated in public that join a couple for life. The saying of these words before family and friends, before an official witness of the state, a couple officially becomes married for the entire world to see. The vows, the most intimate part of the ceremony should be personal to you, written and spoken from the heart and not taken lightly. Vows are not just words or promises they are solemn oaths that must be kept. Therefore, if you vow to be faithful to each other, it is for the rest of your life not until someone else comes along. I have included some samples. Adapt them to as you choose or use as is. On the other hand, write your own vows, your words in your own style. What ever you decide, keep in mind the vows are for life.

Selection 1 (simple and elegant)

I, _____, take you, _____, to be my beloved wife/husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, to laugh with you in the good times, to comfort and solace you in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, with my soul, for all the days of my life, eternal. I, _____, take you, _____, to be my beloved wife/husband, to have you and hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, to grow with you and to be transformed, to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, with my soul, for all the days of my life, and, if God wills, beyond the walls of life, beyond the bounds of time.

Selection 2 (the most traditional)

I, _____, take you, _____, to be my lawful 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, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.

Selection 3

I, _____, take you, _____, to be my husband/wife, and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you. I will respect, trust, help and care for you. I will share my life with you. I will try with you to better understand ourselves, the world, and God, through the best and the worst of what is to come, as long as we live.

Selection 4 (standard civil ceremony vows)

_____, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife. Before these witnesses, I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need help, and will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

Selection 5 (just for fun)

First person says: I will love you on the sea, I will love you in a tree, I will love you here and there, and I will love you anywhere. Second person: I will love you everyday, I will love you come what may, I will love you more than pie, and I will love you ‘til I die First person: On the sea, in a tree Second person: Everyday come what may Both: I will love you here and there, I will love you anywhere.

Helpful Tips:
When frying, turn a metal colander upside down over the skillet. This allows
steam to escape, but keeps the fat from spattering.