Wedding vows are the most personal words most people will ever speak in public. They're also the thing most couples leave until three weeks before the wedding and then panic about.
This page has real examples across every style — use them directly, use them as inspiration, or use them as a starting point to write something entirely your own.
Traditional vows
The most widely recognized wedding vow language comes from the Book of Common Prayer (1549) and remains one of the most emotionally resonant formulations in the English language:
"I, [NAME], take you, [PARTNER], to be my wedded 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 death do us part. This is my solemn vow."
Traditional vows work because they've been spoken at millions of weddings before yours. They carry inherited weight. They feel universal and sacred.
Short and simple vows
"[PARTNER], I love you. I choose you today, and I'll keep choosing you every day. You are my person, and I am yours."
"I promise to be your partner — in everything. For the rest of my life."
Short vows are often more powerful than long ones. Every word counts.
Romantic vows
"[PARTNER], you are the person I didn't know I was looking for until I found you. I promise to love you with presence and intention — in the quiet mornings and the difficult nights, in the seasons that ask more of us and the ones that feel like grace. You are my home. I will spend my life making sure you know that."
Funny (but heartfelt) vows
"[PARTNER], I love you. I love your laugh, your stubbornness, and the way you're always convinced you're right — even when you're not. I promise to be your person. To celebrate every win with you, sit with you through every loss, and make you laugh on the days that don't deserve it. I promise to split the last slice of pizza with you. Always. That's how serious this is. You're stuck with me."
Humor in vows works best when it's specific and affectionate. The jokes should be true, and they should be followed by something genuinely sincere.
Spiritual vows (non-denominational)
"I vow to love you with intention and presence. To honor what is sacred in you. To be your home — a place of honesty, warmth, and safety where you can always be exactly who you are. I vow to grow with you, to seek with you, and to walk beside you with gratitude for every step. You are my greatest gift. I do not take that lightly."
Vows that reference your specific relationship
The most powerful vows are ones that could only be spoken between two specific people. Examples of how couples personalize their vows:
- Opening with the specific moment they knew: "Since the night you [specific moment], I've known this was different."
- Naming a quality they specifically admire: "I love the way you [specific thing no one else does]."
- Making a promise only they would make: "I promise to always [specific thing meaningful to their relationship]."
These details are what make vows unforgettable — not the eloquence of the language, but the truth of the specifics.
Tips for matching vows
Agree on length — Before writing, agree on a target length. 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes. Mismatched lengths (one person speaks for 30 seconds, the other for 5 minutes) can feel awkward.
Agree on tone — Funny vs. serious, simple vs. elaborate. You don't need to share content, but the register should match.
Practice aloud — What reads as short often runs long when spoken. What feels natural when written can feel stiff when delivered. Practice aloud many times.
How to write your own
Start by answering these questions without editing yourself:
- What's one specific moment when you saw your partner clearly and loved what you saw?
- What have they brought to your life that wasn't there before?
- What's the promise you most want to make?
- What do you want them to feel when they hear your vows?
Then rewrite in your own voice until every word sounds like you.
For more examples across styles, or to use our AI vow builder to generate personalized vows based on your relationship, visit our wedding vow examples page.