Traditional Marriage Vow Exchange Variant

The ceremonial vow and ring presentation given here is simply a variant of existing traditional examples. This particular script is a nondenominational composition.

Introduction

Officiant to congregation: Thank you for being here today as (Groom’s name) and (Bride’s name) enter into a lifelong civil union. Today, we celebrate the separate journeys that brought them together, and we usher them toward the new journey they will embark upon as a partnership.

Invocation

Officiant to congregation: A true lasting marriage requires effort, commitment, and unending respect. As (Groom’s name) and (Bride’s name) declare their love on this day, we reflect on the meaning of partnership and its importance to a successful union. Partners in life think of one another as teammates, equally capable, but each arriving with their own special skills.

A marriage thrives when each partner chooses to value the other for everything they are and for everything they are not. There is no limit to what a partnership can accomplish when trust and admiration flow abundantly. Today, (Groom’s name) and (Bride’s name) acknowledge this with excitement as they prepare to join hands in marriage.

First, a reading of (groom’s name) and (bride’s name) choosing.

Reading

(Officiant reads the chosen selection)

Affirmation of Support

Officiant to congregation: Do you, as witnesses to this day, support and encourage this union?

Congregation: We do.

Declaration of Intent

Officiant to bride and groom: As I guide you in exchanging your vows, you, (Groom’s name), and you, (Bride’s name) will declare your intentions for a lasting partnership in love and marriage. Are you prepared to do this?

Bride and Groom: Yes!

Officiant: Without further ado, let’s begin.

Officiant to groom: Repeat after me.

I, (groom) take you, (bride), to be my wife. I promise that from this day forward I will regard you not only as my equal, but as my closest friend. I promise to comfort you in sickness and in health. I promise to demonstrate my commitment to you through love, laughter, and compassion. I love you.

Officiant to bride: Repeat after me.

I, (bride), take you, (groom), to be my husband. I promise that from this day forward I will regard you not only as my equal, but as my closest friend. I promise to comfort you in sickness and in health. I promise to demonstrate my commitment to you through love, laughter, and compassion. I love you.