Popular Vows Throughout World Religions

Sometimes traditions just can’t be broken. Check out these vows throughout Christianity.

If you and your spouse are religious, your families have customs and wedding traditions, or you want a simple ceremony and exchange of vows, going with the traditional and popular vows throughout world religions is your best choice.

Protestant In the name of God, I, (groom/bride's name), take you, (groom/bride's name), to be my (husband/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 we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Methodist Officiant: “Will you have this (woman/man) to be your (wife/husband), to live together in holy marriage? Will you love (her/him), comfort (her/him), honor, and keep (her/him), in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to (her/him) as long as you both shall live?” Bride/Groom: “I do.”

Lutheran I, __ , take you, to be my (wife/husband), and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God; through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live.

Baptist There are two options for traditional Baptist vows. The first is a call and response from you officiant:

Officiant: “Will you , have to be your (wife/husband)? Will you love her/him, comfort and keep her/him, and forsaking all others remain true to her/him, as long as you both shall live?”

Bride/Groom: “I will.”

Your other option is a shorter version of vows, one line said by both the groom and bride.

“I _, take thee , to be my (wife/husband), and before God and these witnesses I promise to be a faithful and true (husband/wife).”

Catholic Before you get to the official vows, Catholic couples have to answer three questions from the priest including, (name) and (name), have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage, will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives, and will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church? The correct response is either “I will” or “yes.”

The vows themselves are as follows: I, (name), take you, (name), to be my (husband/wife). I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

Each Christian church has their own set of vows that vary slightly, so be sure to check with your presider before you plan on any one specific exchange of vows. Every religion has their own variety of vows and ceremonial steps along the way. There are over 4,000 different faiths and religions in the world; here are a few vows from other faiths.

Jewish Did you know that in a traditional Jewish ceremony, there are no vows exchanged? Traditionally, the marriage vow is completed when the groom places a ring on the bride’s finger and recites (in English transliteration), “Haray at mekudeshet lee beh-taba'at zo keh-dat Moshe veh-Yisrael," which, in English, reads, "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel."

Jewish couples have several other traditions that they must uphold including fasting, a “bedeken” or veiling, sharing of the “sheva b’rachot,” the seven blessings, breaking of glass, shouting of “mazel tov” (meaning good luck), and several others.

Hindu Hindus share seven steps in their vow exchange.

“Let us take the first step to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living. Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers. Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use. Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust. Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous, and heroic children. Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity. Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock.”

Muslim Bride: “I, __, offer you in myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon Him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife.”

Non-Denominational Of course, if you and your significant other are more spiritual than religious there are plenty of additional. You can of course write your own vows, or use any of these modern, traditional, sweet exchanges.

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Published on Black Hills Bride.