At their core, wedding vows are the verbal promises a couple makes to one another during a marriage ceremony. They are the "contract" of the heart—stating not just that you love each other, but how you intend to love each other through life's ups and downs.
The Purpose of Vows
While the dress, the flowers, and the cake are for the celebration, the vows are for the marriage. They serve three main purposes:
- Declaration: Publicly stating your commitment in front of witnesses.
- Definition: Defining what your unique partnership looks like (e.g., "in sickness and in health").
- Intention: Setting the emotional tone for your future life together.
A Brief History
The concept of wedding vows dates back thousands of years. The oldest traditional vows still in use today come from the Book of Common Prayer (1549), which gave us the famous lines: "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer..."
Types of Wedding Vows
1. Religious Vows
These follow a specific script determined by your faith (Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, etc.). They often emphasize duty to God as well as to the partner.
2. Civil Vows
Used in courthouse weddings or by officiants. These are often short, legalistic, and neutral, focusing on the legal contract of marriage.
3. Personal Vows
The most popular modern choice. Couples write their own words to express their unique story, inside jokes, and specific promises.
Summary
Whether you recite ancient words or write your own, wedding vows are the anchor of your ceremony. They turn a party into a union.