Wedding vows are essentially the verbal commitment made between Bride and Groom just before they are joined as husband and wife. Some would argue that they are the most important part of the whole day.
Unlike with Civil Weddings, there is little leeway for couples to stamp their own mark on the Wedding Vows, and couples tying the knot at Church of England or Church in Wales Marriage Ceremonies up and down the country will essentially make the same pledge to each other.
Depending upon whether couples opt for the 1662, 1966 or 2001 Marriage Ceremonies, they may have some scope to change the odd word or two (whether to include the ‘obey’ word for the Bride is normally where the decision lies), but on the whole, the words are pretty similar. Check out the vows and, where relevant, the optional vows, from the three ceremonies below to see what we mean.
1662 Solemnisation of Matrimony
I, <Bride/Groom’s Name>,
take thee <Bride/Groom’s Name>.
to my 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,
<Groom> to love and to cherish, <Bride> to love, cherish, and to obey
till death us do part,
according to God's holy ordinance;
and thereto I plight thee my troth.
1966 Solemnisation of Matrimony
I, <Bride/Groom’s Name>,
take thee <Bride/Groom’s Name>.
to my 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,
<Groom> to love and to cherish, <Bride> to love, cherish, and to obey
till death us do part,
according to God's holy ordinance;
and thereto I give thee my troth.
OR
I, <Bride/Groom’s Name>,
take thee, <Bride/Groom’s Name>,,
to my 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,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
and thereto I give thee my troth.
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