What are Traditional Wedding Vows?

Because many couples choose “traditional” as the theme of their wedding, it only stands to reason they also select traditional wedding vows to exchange between them. Just what are traditional vows? Here’s a look at a few vows spoken between bride and groom throughout the country.

Anglo-Saxon

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony…” This portion of a traditional wedding vow for most Americans dates back to the Church of England’s Anglican Book of Common Prayer dating back to 1662.

With a number of quotations from Paul, the apostle, this and more is found in the “The Form of the Solemnization of Matrimony,” used from way back then and is still used today.

More quotes from this include: “I take thee, (name), to my wedded (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, till death us do part…” “With this ring I thee wed…” and, “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”

With or without the use of traditional wedding vows, the minister or officiate “seals the deal” by saying “By the powers invested in me by (usually the name of the state), I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Native American

Traditional wedding vows, of course, take their cue from whatever culture the bride and groom live in. So if the couple were Native American, say, the vows would be completely different. Here are vows that might be taken from a Cherokee union:

“God in heaven, protect our loved ones. In honor to You, we pledge our hearts and our lives. Honoring Mother Earth, we request abundance in our joining together and ask to be made stronger throughout the seasons. With our honoring of fire, we ask to be warm with our mutual love glowing in our hearts. With our honor of wind, we ask for sailing through our lives with safety and calmness. By honoring water, we ask that our union to be cleansed and soothing and that it never need thirst for love. By honoring all the powers of the universe created by You, we ask for harmony in growing together forever. Amen.”

Jewish

Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative members of the Jewish faith have traditional wedding vows that rabbis use with their own interpretations. Usually the vows between the husband and wife are made during the exchange of rings with both, in their turn, saying something to the effect of “Behold, thou are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the Law of Moses and of Israel.”

This is often said in Hebrew. Conservative Jewish couples take their vows often from the Rabbinical Assembly Manual and this is asked from the Rabbi to the bride and groom, in turn: “Do you, (name), take (name) to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, to honor and to cherish?” And the bride and groom then simply answer with “I do.”

There are many, many vows that many, many Americans consider “traditional” wedding vows in this country. It all depends on the individuals’ culture and upbringing as to what is considered “traditional.” So in light of that, traditional can mean a lot of things, but most importantly, traditional or not, marriage vows should be some of the most serious words you’ll ever say in your life – and mean them.