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Traditional Wedding Vows
Examples & Free Templates

Traditional wedding vows carry their power through familiarity — words that have been spoken at millions of weddings, in thousands of years of ceremony. These are the classic wordings from Anglican, Catholic, Protestant, and civil traditions, with guidance on choosing what's right for your ceremony.

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Classic Anglican wordingCatholic and Protestant variantsCivil ceremony languageCenturies of tradition
Vow structure

How to structure these vows

Every great vow follows a structure — not rigidly, but as a scaffold for the things that matter most.

01

The declaration

'I, [NAME], take you, [PARTNER]' — the formal beginning that has opened vows for centuries.

02

The conditions

'For better, for worse' — the enumeration of what you're committing to face together.

03

The promises

'To love and to cherish' — the active commitment to how you will love.

04

The oath

'This is my solemn vow' — the formal close that seals the promise.

Why these vows?

Traditional wedding vows carry their power through familiarity — words that have been spoken at millions of weddings, in thousands of years of ceremony. These are the classic wordings from Anglican, Catholic, Protestant, and civil traditions, with guidance on choosing what's right for your ceremony.

  • ✓Classic Anglican wording
  • ✓Catholic and Protestant variants
  • ✓Civil ceremony language
  • ✓Centuries of tradition
Writing tips

Tips for writing traditional wedding vows

1

Traditional vows are powerful precisely because they're familiar — resist the urge to modernize every phrase. Some words earn their weight through repetition.

2

Even traditional ceremonies benefit from one personal touch — a single added sentence at the end of the vows in your own voice.

3

'Till death do us part' still lands. Don't change it because it's old.

Sample vows

Traditional Wedding Vows examples

Two examples showing different voices and approaches. Use these as a starting point — then make them yours.

Example — Partner 1

"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, till death do us part."

"This is my solemn vow."

Example — Partner 2

"I, [NAME], take thee, [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, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance — and thereto I give thee my troth."

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the traditional Anglican wedding vows?

The traditional Anglican vows from the Book of Common Prayer are: 'I, [NAME], take thee, [PARTNER], to be my wedded [husband/wife], 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 give thee my troth.'

What are traditional Catholic wedding vows?

Catholic wedding vows typically follow this form: 'I, [NAME], take you, [PARTNER], to be my [husband/wife]. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.' The exact wording may vary by diocese.

Can we change the wording of traditional vows?

In religious ceremonies, the degree of flexibility depends on your officiant and denomination. Many priests and ministers allow minor personal additions. In civil ceremonies, you typically have more freedom. In either case, confirm with your officiant what's permitted.

Are traditional vows still legal?

Yes. Traditional vow language meets legal requirements in all jurisdictions where it's used, as long as the ceremony includes the legally required declaration of consent. The specific wording of the vows themselves is not usually legally prescribed.

What does 'thereto I plight thee my troth' mean?

'Troth' is an archaic word for faithfulness, loyalty, or pledged word. 'I plight thee my troth' means 'I pledge you my faithfulness.' It appears in older versions of the Anglican vows and is still used in some traditional ceremonies for its historical weight.

More vow examples

religious

Christian Wedding Vows

Christian wedding vows place the marriage covenant within the context of faith — before God, the community, and each other. These examples cover traditional denominational language as well as contemporary Christian vows that feel personal without departing from faith foundations.

legal

Civil Wedding Vows

Civil wedding vows are the most legally focused form of marriage commitment — designed to meet the requirements of a civil ceremony while remaining dignified and meaningful. These examples cover the minimum legal language as well as more personal civil vow variations.