Christian Wedding Vows: Traditional Wording and Personal Promises
From the classic 'to have and to hold' to personal vows that reflect your faith, examples for a Christian ceremony.
Christian wedding vows have a long and beautiful history. The classic wording, '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, until death do us part,' comes from centuries of Christian liturgy and is still spoken in many churches today. For many couples, saying those exact words is a way of joining everyone who made the same promise before them.
Many couples also add personal vows that speak about their faith in their own voice, naming how they pray together, how they forgive, and what they trust God with. Churches and denominations differ in what they allow, so it's worth speaking with your pastor or officiant early. If you'd like to explore classic phrasing, see our traditional wedding vows, and for faith-based wording more broadly, see religious wedding vows.
The examples below include the traditional wording and a range of personal vows that weave in prayer, Scripture, and grace, so you can choose what fits your ceremony.
12 Christian Wedding Vows Examples
"I, [your name], take you, [their name], to be my 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, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow."
Example 1 of 12
"I, [your name], take you, [their name], to be my 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, until death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance."
Example 2 of 12
"Before God and our families, I promise to love you as Christ loves the church: faithfully, patiently, and with a love that puts the other first. I will pray with you, forgive you, and walk with you through every season God gives us."
Example 3 of 12
"Love is patient and love is kind. Today I promise to try to love you that way, every day. When I fall short, I'll ask forgiveness; when you fall short, I'll offer it. With God's help, I will be your partner, your friend, and your helper for the rest of my life."
Example 4 of 12
"I thank God for you. You are an answer to a prayer I didn't know how to pray. Today I promise to honor you, cherish you, and pray for you, and to keep Christ at the center of our home for as long as we both shall live."
Example 5 of 12
"I take you as my beloved, not because you are perfect, but because grace has taught me what love looks like. I promise to extend that grace to you every day. I will stay beside you in joy and in sorrow, trusting that God has begun a good work in us."
Example 6 of 12
"Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. I promise to love you with a faithful heart, to build a family rooted in faith, and to be yours until the end of my days."
Example 7 of 12
"Two are better than one, and a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. With God as the third strand, I promise to stand with you in every season: to encourage you, to listen to you, and to keep our marriage anchored in his love."
Example 8 of 12
"Lord, thank you for this person. I promise to love them with humility and joy, to forgive as I've been forgiven, to serve them and our family with gladness, and to grow in faith beside them all of my days."
Example 9 of 12
"I give you my heart, my hand, and my life. I promise to be faithful in good times and in hard ones, to speak the truth in love, and to seek God with you every day. This is my vow before him and before everyone here."
Example 10 of 12
"I stand here grateful: for you, for the family that raised me, for the faith that shaped me. I promise to serve with love, to listen with patience, and to pray with you in every season, trusting in God's goodness for the life ahead."
Example 11 of 12
"In the presence of God and of these witnesses, I promise to be your faithful companion. I will love you in the ordinary and the extraordinary, build a home of grace with you, and trust God with our future, as long as we both shall live."
Example 12 of 12
Dos and Don'ts
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don't |
|---|---|
| Confirm required wording with your pastor or officiant | Assume your church allows fully custom vows without asking |
| Blend classic words with a personal sentence or two | Overload your vows with unfamiliar Scripture paraphrases |
| Name how your faith shows up in your relationship | Use faith language you don't actually mean |
| Let your officiant review any Scripture you quote | Guess at the wording of a passage from memory |
| Include a line that welcomes family from different traditions | Assume everyone in the room shares your denomination |
Tips for Christian Wedding Vows
- Ask your pastor or officiant about required wording. Denominations differ, and many have set vows that you can personalize with an additional paragraph.
- Consider combining the traditional vows with a short personal promise. The classic words carry history, and your own sentence makes it yours.
- Choose a reading that means something to you. Popular choices include 1 Corinthians 13 (love is patient, love is kind), Ruth 1:16 (where you go I will go), and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (two are better than one).
- Keep any Scripture paraphrase accurate, and let your officiant check it, so the wording reflects your tradition.
- Write about how your faith has shaped your relationship in specific terms: shared prayer, church community, a moment when faith carried you.
- If your families come from different traditions, include a line that honors both so everyone feels welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the traditional Christian wedding vows?
A widely used form is: 'I take you 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, until death do us part.' Older versions add 'according to God's holy ordinance' and 'I plight thee my troth.' Exact wording varies by denomination, so check with your officiant.
Can we write our own Christian wedding vows?
Often yes, but it depends on your church and officiant. Many couples say the traditional vows and add a personal promise, or exchange personal vows after the official ones. Talk to your pastor early so you know what's allowed and whether they'd like to review your words.
What Scripture is commonly used in Christian wedding ceremonies?
Popular readings include 1 Corinthians 13 on love, Ruth 1:16-17 ('where you go I will go'), Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ('a cord of three strands is not quickly broken'), Ephesians 5, and Song of Solomon. Choose passages that speak to your relationship and ask your officiant for guidance.
Do Christian vows still include 'obey'?
Many modern ceremonies leave out the word 'obey,' and the vows are often said by both partners in the same form. Some traditions still include it. It's worth discussing with your partner and officiant what your ceremony will say so you're both comfortable.
How long should personal Christian vows be?
About a minute to ninety seconds, or 100 to 200 words, is typical. That's enough to speak sincerely about love, faith, and commitment without turning the ceremony into a sermon. If you are also saying traditional vows, shorten the personal portion.
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