CHURCH OF ENGLAND VOWS

The 2001 Marriage Service

I, <Groom’s name>,

take you, <Bride’s name> ,

to be my 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.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

Or

I, <Groom’s name>, take thee,

<Bride’s name>, to my wedded wife,

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 obey,

till death us do part,

according to God's holy ordinance;

and thereto I plight thee my troth.

As you can see, there isn’t a great deal of difference between the various wordings, but it is strange how much difference changing the odd word here and there can make. With this in mind, it is important that as a couple, the most appropriate vows are chosen.