Wedding Ceremony

There is no end to the number and types of wedding ceremonies. Some are steeped in tradition. Others are as new as new age. Taking into consideration your faith, denomination, and the requirements of the governing body and/or the minister or official who is going to perform the ceremony, you must determine how much leeway you will be given in modifying traditional vows or whether or not you will be given the opportunity of creating your own ceremony and/or vows.

The elements of a wedding ceremony are somewhat universal although they may be embellished and their chronology be modified from ceremony to ceremony. Here are some of the major elements:

1) The Greeting

2) The Declaration of Intentions (Wedding Vows)

3) The Exchange of Rings

4) Blessings and Readings, and

5) The Pronouncement

Writing Your Own Vows

Here is a great resource for you to use in writing your own wedding vows. There are pre-written examples, and helpful material which you can use in your creative process.

* Pre-Written Wedding Vows

* Statements for Use in Creating Your Own Wedding Vows

* Vocabulary Words for Use in Creating Your Own Wedding Vows

Vow No. 1 - Bride & Groom - Traditional

(You may wish to add your own embellishments)

I, (Bride/Groom), take (you/thee) (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.

Vow No. 2a - Bride to Groom

I, (Bride's Name), take (you/thee), (Groom's Name),
to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] husband,
secure in the knowledge that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special [opt: and holy] day,
I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you
in the presence of God and (all those in attendance/these witnesses)
my (pledge/sacred promise) to stay by your side as your [opt: faithful] wife
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve (higher/all of your) goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Vow No. 2b - Groom to Bride

I, (Groom's Name), take (you/thee), (Bride's Name),
to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] wife,
knowing in my heart that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special [opt: and holy] day,
I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you
in the presence of God and (all those in attendance/these witnesses)
my (pledge/sacred promise) to stay by your side as your [opt: faithful] husband
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation,
honor and respect you,
provide for your needs as best I can,
protect you from harm,
comfort you in times of distress,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Officiant: ___________, will you look into ____________'s eyes and into his/her heart, and repeat after me?

I commit my life to our partnership in marriage. I promise to comfort you, to encourage you in all walks of life. I promise to express my thoughts and emotions to you, and to listen to you in times of joy and in times of sorrow. ____________, I love you, and you are my closest friend. Will you let me share my life and all that I am with you?

Answer: I will

[Same vows repeated by officiant and second partner]

I, ________ take you, ______, to be my lawfully wedded (husband / wife). I promise to care for you in sickness and in sadness; I promise to rejoice with you in gladness; I promise to inspire the greatness in you, to listen and to give to you from my whole heart and soul, and to share my goals and ideas with you. I promise to treasure the unique person that you are. I will celebrate our friendship forever. All of this I promise to you for as long as we both shall live bound by our love.

Answer: I will

[Same vows repeated by officiate and second partner]

The following statements can be used for creating your own personalized wedding vows.

I affirm the special bond and unique relationship that exists between us, and promise to keep it always alive.

I promise to love you, comfort and encourage you, be open and honest with you, and stay with you as long as we both shall live.

I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful (husband/wife) till death do us part.

I promise to love, respect and honor you, sharing your plans and interests, ideals and emotions, through all the trials and tribulations of life, as well as the joyous times, caring for you in lifelong commitment.

I promise to be your confidante, always ready to share your hopes, dreams and secrets.

The following words can be used for creating your own personalized wedding vows.

Nouns

BEAUTY: attractiveness, charm, elegance, grace, loveliness

CHARM: attraction, fascination, glamour

CONSORT: companion, comrade, mate, partner, soul-mate, spouse

DELIGHT: enjoyment, gladness, happiness, joy, pleasure

DEVOTION: affection, attachment, fidelity, loyalty, dedication

DIGNITY: elegance, grace, stateliness

FOREVER: always, eternity, perpetuity

HAPPINESS: bliss, cheerfulness, contentment, delight, joyfulness

HOPE: faith, optimism, reliance, belief, desire, wish

JOY: bliss, delight, elation, gladness, happiness

LOYALTY: allegiance, constancy, devotion, faithfulness, fidelity

MARRIAGE: matrimony, nuptials, wedding, wedlock, bond, union

PROMISE: pledge, vow

RENEWAL: enlivenment, invigoration, regeneration, revival

RESPECT: admiration, appreciation, esteem, favor, honor, regard

SACRIFICE: dedication, devotion, offering

SINCERITY: candidness, candor, frankness, genuineness, honesty,

SPIRIT: being, heart, mind, psyche, soul, energy, life, verve

WISDOM: wiseness, insight, judgment, knowledge

Verbs

CHERISH: esteem, prize, treasure, cultivate, foster, nurture

HOPE: anticipate, await, count on, expect

INSPIRE: excite, exhilarate, motivate, stimulate, impress

MARRY: espouse, wed, combine, couple, hitch, mate, link, unite

PRIZE: appreciate, value, cherish

PROMISE: pledge, vow

RENEW: regenerate, restart, refresh, rekindle

RESPECT: honor, regard, value, admire

UNITE: connect, converge, join, meet, merge, unify

VALUE: assess, evaluate, rate, appreciate, prize

Adjectives

AFFECTIONATE: adoring, caring, considerate, devoted, loving

BEAUTIFUL: attractive, fair, lovely, stunning

DIVINE: godly, heavenly, glorious, wonderful, wondrous

ENDLESS: continual, eternal, perpetual, unceasing, unending, timeless

FAITHFUL: constant, steady, steadfast, true

FOND: affectionate, dear, devoted, loving

HAPPY: cheerful, glad, joyful, joyous, merry, pleased

HOPEFUL: hoping, optimistic, promising

INFINITE: endless, limitless, unbounded, immeasurable

MARRIED: marital, matrimonial, nuptial, spousal, wedded

NOBLE: august, royal, ethical, moral, virtuous, honorable

OPTIMISTIC: bright, sunny, upbeat, promising

PEACEFUL: placid, quiet, serene, still, undisturbed

PRICELESS: precious, inestimable, invaluable, valuable

SINCERE: genuine, honest, real, heartfelt

TOTAL: complete, entire, whole, absolute, pure, sheer, utter

UNCOMMON: extraordinary, scarce, unusual, rare, unique

UNCORRUPTED: ethical, principled, untarnished

UNDENIABLE: certain, incontestible, sure, undisputable

UNDYING: deathless, immortal, eternal, everlasting

UNFADING: enduring, lasting, undying, unfailing

UNIVERSAL: omnipresent, cosmic, global, worldwide

UNSELFISH: selfless, self-sacrificing

VIBRANT: intense, strong, vivid, dynamic, energetic, vigorous

VIRTUOUS: ethical, moral, noble, principled, pure, righteous

WARM: compassionate, sympathetic, tender, enthusiastic

WORTHY: capable, deserving, desirable, suited, honorable, noble

Adverbs

AFFECTIONATELY: dearly, devotedly, dotingly, fondly, lovingly

DIVINELY: blissfully, gloriously, splendidly, sublimely

ENDLESSLY: ceaselessly, constantly, forever, interminably

FAITHFULLY: devotedly, loyally

HAPPILY: blissfully, joyfully, joyously, cheerfully

ONLY: alone, entirely, exclusively, solely

SINCERELY: genuinely, honestly, really

TOTALLY: absolutely, completely, entirely, fully, purely, wholly