Basic Wedding Vow Examples

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Wedding ceremonies usually require a declaration of intent to marry and a pronouncement; however, wedding vows provide opportunities for couples to pledge their love in creative and resonant ways. You have the opportunity to write their love song in their own words. This article presents basic wedding vows examples to be used as a starting point or to get your creative juices flowing.

Writing Basic Wedding Vows

While there's no strict formula, most wedding vows follow a similar structure:

  1. Introduction: Begin by acknowledging your partner and expressing your love and commitment.
  2. Promises: Outline specific actions or qualities you promise to embody in your relationship.
  3. Hopes and Dreams: Share your vision for your future together.
  4. Declaration of Love: Reiterate your love for your partner and your excitement about building a life together.

Remember, the most important aspect of wedding vows is authenticity. Encourage couples to speak from the heart, letting their unique love story shine.

Basic Wedding Vows To Go By

Check out these wedding vows examples. They are simple and not affiliated with a particular religion. They are built on universal themes that resonate with couples, irrespective of age, tradition, or culture.

Love and Commitment

With respect to wedding vows, you can’t go wrong with love and commitment as the main themes. These are timeless and can be expressed in countless ways. Create vows that focus on the unique qualities of the couple’s relationship and mutual dedication:

Vow: With every day that I’m privileged to draw breath, my love for you deepens. I promise to cherish you, uplift you, and be your constant source of encouragement. I treasure our love, and I promise to protect it and nurture it with all that I am.

Nature and Growth

Weddings are often thought of as a new phase in a couple’s life. Find inspiration in the concept of nature and growth, especially for springtime nuptials:

Vow: Just as a tree needs sunlight, water, and strong roots to thrive, our love needs nourishment, support, and a deep foundation. I promise to be your sunlight, your water, and your steady ground. Over the years, our love will grow deeper and truer, lush with honor, respect, and devotion.

Adventure and Exploration

Framing marriage as an adventure speaks to one’s anticipation of the joy of being hitched. Couples who love to explore and share experiences may find themes of adventure and exploration especially resonant:

Vow: Our love is a journey filled with unexpected turns and breathtaking views. The joy is not only in the destination of our wedding day but also in discovering new things about each other as we press forward. I’m excited to be your copilot and fellow explorer as we navigate life’s adventures together.

Partnership and Equality

Many Western wedding traditions are rooted in outdated ideas based on gender and gender roles. Themes of partnership and equality are a great backdrop for couples who value mutual respect, support, and shared decision-making:

Vow: I vow to meet you as an equal partner in this life. We will share the joys, the challenges, and the dreams that come our way. Together, we will build a world where respect, trust, and open communication flourish. I commit to being your partner and your teammate in life and in love.

Humanism and Kindness

Some couples value compassion, empathy, and the importance of contributing positively to the world together. Vows based on kindness speak to an individual’s sense of community and purposeful living:

Vow: I promise to lead with kindness, compassion, and respect in conversation and action. Together, we will strive to make the world a better place, starting with our own little corner of it. Our love will be a beacon of hope for ourselves and others.

These basic wedding vow examples are simple and secular, easily modifiable to capture the perfect sentiment for a couple’s special day. Even if you don’t have a particular couple in mind, you can use these examples as starting points for developing complete wedding scripts. You don’t have to be a wordsmith or a storyteller; rather, sincere and committed to helping couples lean into the beauty of their love journey.