Writing wedding vows

STAFF REPORT

Wedding vows can be traditional or more personal. Here's what weddings.about.com says about vows:

Those getting married in a religious setting should check with their officiant as he or she may have specific words that cannot be deviated from.

Otherwise, feel free to add embellishments, loving words, funny promises (I promise to take the trash out!) and inside jokes:

- I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

- I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

- I (name), take you (name) to be my (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.

- I, [name], choose you [name] to be my [husband/wife], to respect you in your successes and in your failures, to care for you in sickness and in health, to nurture you, and to grow with you throughout the seasons of life.

There are traditional vows.

- Do you (name) take (name) to be your lawful wedded wife/husband? (Each responds, "I do.") Will you love, respect and honor her/him throughout your years together? (Each responds, "I will.")

Or the participants may want to personalize their vows to reflect their relationship. These are good examples, although you could certainly get more personal:

- I (name) affirm my love to you, (name) as I invite you to share my life. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together.

There are some simple, elegant weddings and vow renewals performed at a beach, hotel or villa that can be found at SimpleIslandWeddings.com:

- I take you (name) to be my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.

- (Name), I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.

Also remember that you can both say the same vows, or you can say completely different ones. You can also ask your friends and family to participate in your wedding vows:

(Name) do you take (name) to be your lawful wedded wife/husband? (Each responds, "I do.") Do you promise to love and cherish her/him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him, for so long as you both shall live? (Each responds, "I do.") Do you together promise in the presence of your friends and family that you will at all times and in all circumstances, conduct yourselves toward one another as becomes Husband and Wife? (Together they respond, "We do.") Do you together promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years? (Together they respond, "We do.")