Modern Wedding Vows

What are Modern Wedding Vows?

Traditional wedding vows normally include some variation of this statement: “I, (Bride/Groom), take (you/thee) (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; and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with using the traditional wedding vows as part of your ceremony. However, an increasing number of couples are searching for a more unique way to express their love for each other. They are personalizing every aspect of their wedding, including the vows.

Modern vows can be sweet and romantic, or even funny wedding vows. They can reflect the obstacles you’ve already overcome as a couple or make reference to the plans you have for the future. Vows can also be written to acknowledge special circumstances in your relationship, such as differing spiritual beliefs or the creation of a blended family due to a second marriage.

Finding Wedding Vows Online

The Internet is a great resource for those in search of examples of modern wedding vows.

• Elegant Vows has a collection of beautiful and romantic wedding vows.
• Figstreet has examples of various types of wedding vows, including a wine ceremony and modern civil ceremony.
• Wedding Tips has samples of vows from different religious traditions, including a blessing of the Apaches and an explanation of a handfasting ceremony.
• Bible.org has ideas for those in search of a modern take on the traditional Christian marriage ceremony.
• Aloha Friends has a great collection of vow ideas for couples who are planning weddings with a Hawaiian theme, although many of the vows could be adapted for other wedding types as well.
• I Do Take Two has examples of special wedding vows for those who are entering into a second marriage.

You can also find a number of vow examples and other resources in the LoveToKnow Weddings articles on Sample Wedding Vows, Free Wedding Vows, and Original Wedding Vows.

Writing Your Own Vows

If you can’t find vows that suit your needs online, you may want to consider writing wedding vows yourself. You can start from scratch or combine elements of several different vows to create something that is a unique expression of your commitment to your future spouse.

Here are some resources to help you create your own wedding vows:

Write your own romantic vows.

• Kiss Me Goodnight has general advice for how to write memorable wedding vows.
• The Knot has a guide to writing your own wedding vows that features 20 questions you can ask yourself to help jumpstart your creative process.
• Forever Wed has a list of common vocabulary words used in wedding vows, as well as synonyms you can use for each word.

If you’re not a professional writer, it's possible composing your own wedding vows can be a stressful experience. Asking a trusted friend or family member to proofread your work may give you an extra boost of confidence. However, it’s important to remember that the sentiment behind your vows is much more important than any demonstration of literary skill.

Renewing Your Vows

A vow renewal ceremony is the perfect time to experiment with the idea of modern wedding vows, since traditional vows are written for a couple who has yet to experience the challenges of married life.

If you’re interested in planning a vow renewal ceremony, LoveToKnow Weddings recommends visiting the following links:

• The Knot explains why vow renewal ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular.
• I Do Take Two has general tips for planning a vow renewal ceremony, as well as advice for creating special vows.
• Brilliant Wedding Pages has examples of vows that can be used for a vow renewal ceremony.

Modern wedding vows can be many things – funny, sentimental, customized, romantic, lyrical, or solemn. What they always are, however, is a personal expression of a couple’s love and commitment they can carry to their happily ever after.