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When it comes to wedding vows most religions and faiths have their own wedding vow traditions and practices.
Some can be altered slightly to better suit your own personal likes – but remember that you will need to clear any changes with your officiant.
Catholic Wedding Vows
"I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."
"I, ___, take you, ___, 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 and honor you all the days of my life."
Episcopal Wedding Vows
"In the name of God, I, ___, take you, ___, to be my husband/wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death -- this is my solemn vow."
Hindu Wedding Vows
Traditional Hindu wedding ceremonies are elaborate and complex. The ceremony is often packed with phrases which the bride and groom recite may recite to each other, such as: "Let us take the fourth step, to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust. Finally, let us take the seventh step and become true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."
Jewish Wedding Vows
In a traditional Jewish wedding only the groom speaks his vows which are often recited in both Hebrew and English. The original vow (translated) is: "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel."
In Reform Jewish ceremonies both the groom and bride recite vows.
Muslim Wedding Vows
In traditional Muslim weddings the bride and groom do not recite vows, but rather heed the words of the imam (cleric), who speaks about the meaning of marriage and the couple's responsibilities to each other and to Allah. In other Muslim weddings it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to recite the following:
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Bride: "I, ___, offer you 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."
Groom: "I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."
Protestant Wedding Vows
"I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded 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, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith/myself to you."
Quaker Wedding Vows
"In the presence of God and these our friends I take thee to be my husband/wife, promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live."
Russian Orthodox Wedding Vows
Many branches of the Orthodox church use silent vows during the ceremony - an introspective prayer in which the couple promises to be loyal and loving to each other.
In the Russian tradition vows are spoken out loud: "I, ___, take you, ___, as my wedded wife/husband and I promise you love, honor, and respect; to be faithful to you, and not to forsake you until death do us part. So help me God, one in the Holy Trinity, and all the Saints."
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