Christian Wedding Vows

Marriage in a Church

Christian vows form a part of any Christian marriage. These vows will vary slightly from religion to religion. Usually there is a basic format to all Christian wedding vows or declarations which have to be made verbally before the marriage register is signed. If you have chosen to exchange your vows in the context of a Christian marriage, you are expressing your belief. As Christians you are uniting as husband and wife in the presence of God and his people. Christian marriages are spiritual, even sacramental and legal. In the Catholic Church the state of marriage between baptized persons is a Sacrament. There are specific requirements in the Catholic Church which must be met for a valid marriage to occur, so the use of the traditional vows set out by the church usually do not vary. Although some priests may allow you to write your own vows but do seek his approval before you do so.

Image by Kate Gardiner

When seeking out advice on Christian vows go and see the priest (rabbi or celebrant of your religion) who will be performing your marriage ceremony. They will be able to give accurate information on your vows and they will also let you know if you can write your own. By doing this you will have a clearer picture of the church etiquette.

Go to Catholic Wedding Vows

Registry Office Wedding

A civil wedding at a registry office is one of the shortest and simplest ceremonies that you could have. This type of wedding has no Christian wedding vows or hymns, or sermons at all. The civil ceremony can take place almost anywhere, by a judge, attorney, notary, mayor or anyone legally authorized.

It can take only about 15 minutes, within certain limits of time and space, you may be able to add some readings (non religious) or speeches of welcome.

Check with the registry office about its regulations when you make your booking. If you do wish to have readings at your ceremony, you should get these approved by the registrar or celebrant.

Civil Vows can vary from place to place, they can be in a similar format to:

The groom

I, ____, take you, ____, to be my lawfully wedded wife.

I promise from this day forward to be your faithful husband, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live.

The bride

I, ____, take you, ____, to be my lawfully wedded husband.

I promise from this day forward to be your faithful wife, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live.

Weddings At License Venue

This type of wedding is more flexible in terms of the format, but you could be restricted by the amount of time your marriage celebrant has (he/she could be performing other ceremonies on the same day as yours, and could have limited time).

If the marriage celebrant has only a limited time to perform the ceremony, find out how much time you will have in the actual wedding room at the venue.

You can exchange Christian wedding vows or say your own vows. And after the celebrant has left you may be able to add your own words and music, while your guests are still sitting down.

The ceremony may be performed by a civil marriage celebrant or a minister of a religious order where you can exchange Christian wedding vows. Check with the marriage celebrant (either civil or religious) if you are able to write your own civil wedding vows or Christian wedding vows.