Congregation Unitarian Universalist

Wedding Vows

Should you decide you would like to write your vows here are a few ideas to stimulate your thoughts. They are from the collection of this Unitarian Universalist Minister and have been a source of inspiration for over 30 years. They have been used in Weddings, Renewal of Vows Services and Anniversary Events. They are for you to use or adapt for your own marriage ceremony, civil union or same sex marriage.

Introduction to the Marriage Vows:

These are two phrases I have spoken over the years as a prelude to the actual vows. You may tell me what you might prefer

The hand offered by each of you is an extension of self, just as is your mutual love. Cherish the touch, for you touch not only your own, but another life. Be ever sensitive to its pulse. Seek always to understand and to respect its rhythm.

or

Name and Name , you have freely given voice to your desire to be united in marriage. What vows to you bring to this occasion?

Marriage Vows:

Vows may be lined out, a short section at a time, and repeated after me. They may be spoken from memory (I'll prompt you if you forget. ) They may also be rewritten in question form to which the couple respond with "I do," or "I will," or "I promise" (depending on the wording). I encourage you to write your own vows or to adapt one of these to make it more personal. You do not both need to use the same vow. Note that vow L combines the ring vows and marriage vows into one vow.

A

I, Name ,, take you, Name , to be my wedded (spouse), to live together with constancy and devotion. I will love you, comfort you, honor and keep you so long as we both shall live.

B

I, Name , take you, Name , to be the (spouse) of my days, to love and to cherish, to honor and to comfort, in sorrow or joy, in hardship or in ease, to have and to hold from this day forth.

C

Name , I take you to be my (spouse), together to love, to work, and to share, to grow and to understand, to discover a deeper, fuller life.

D

I, Name , take you, Name ,, to be my (spouse) in all that I am or shall ever be—loving you as you are from today into all tomorrows.

E (I don't know that you have children but I include this for family unity. There is also a unity candle section we can add to a service )

Name ,, I love you. With your help I want to be your faithful (spouse) for all my years. With your help I want to be a good (father/mother) to your children ( or name children) and a good (son/daughter) to your parents ( name parents). With you I want to face every trial and adversity and to share every joy. To that unity I pledge you my love.

F

Name , I take you as my (spouse). I pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the truth to you in love. I promise to honor and tenderly care for you, to cherish and encourage your own fulfillment as an individual through all the changes of our lives.

G

In the presence of the Eternal Spirit (God), and before our family and friends, I take you, Name , to be my (spouse), promising, with your help, to be unto you a loving and faithful (spouse) as long as we both shall live

.

H

I, Name , take you, Name , to be the (spouse) of my days, to be the companion of my home. We shall keep together what share of trouble and sorrow our lives may lay upon us, and we shall share together our store of goodness and plenty and love. —Kenneth L. Patton

I

I, Name , take thee, Name , 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. With my whole heart and with complete devotion I pledge you my love.

J

Name , I will love you when we are together and when we are apart; when life is peaceful and when it is disordered; when I am proud of you and when I am disappointed in you; in times of leisure and in times of work. I will honor your goals and dreams and help you to fulfill them.

K

Name , as I join you as my (spouse) I make this pledge: to be loving, open, honest, and faithful to you; to be your best friend—to laugh, cry, sing, and dance with you; to nurture your spiritual growth and to support your dreams; to support your freedom and room for personal growth as both the person you are and the person you are yet to be. With love I will work through our conflicts and resolve our problems, seeking both to comfort you and to challenge you. With you I will help to create a home filled with reverence for life—for learning, loving, generosity, and serenity. To bring gentleness to our relationship I will listen, and honor your words and feelings. I, Name , take you, Name ,, to be my (spouse), to love and to cherish, to honor and to comfort, to stand by you in sorrow or in joy, in hardship or in ease, to be both your lover and your friend.

L

I Name , take you Name to be my (spouse/husband/wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.

This vow combines the wedding and ring vows.

Do you Name take Name , in all his/ her gentleness and sensitivity, for his/her warm heart and her/his understanding of you and your philosophy, for his//her search for truth and goodness and her/his recognition of falseness and evil, and for his/her courage to embark along new and untried paths as conscience and necessity demand?

Response:

Yes, I take him/her not only for these, but also in laughter and tears, in health and illness, in success and failure, in conflict and tranquility, in doubt and trust as my spouse and equal. Let this ring be a symbol of my vow.

Name , do you take Name , for her/his discernment of truth in the face of discouragement, her/his pursuit of a simple life amid worldly distractions, /her/his strength to follow the course his/her judgment dictates, and his/her deep love of others?

Response: Yes, I take him/her not only for these, but also in laughter and tears, in health and illness, in success and failure, in conflict and tranquility, in doubt and trust as my spouse and equal. Let this ring be a symbol of my vow.