There are two different styles of vows
that can be used; the "I do"/"I will" vows and the "I take
you" vows.
The "I do" vows:
Pastor: Do you (name of the bride/groom) take (name of the
groom/bride) to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife?
To love and to cherish?
To have and to hold?
From this day forward?
In sickness and in health?
For richer and for poorer?
For better and for worse?
In good times and in bad times?
And do you promise to be faithful to him/her for as long as you both shall live?
Bride/Groom: I do!
The "I will" vows:
Pastor:(Name) will you have this woman/man to be your
wedded wife/husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of
Matrimony? will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him in sickness and
health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him so long as you both
shall live?
Groom/Bride: I will!
The I do/I will vows are made to the congregation, to the pastor
and to God. Because a big part of your marriage will be your God, your fiends and your
family it is appropriate that you promise to them that you will be married until death
parts you. You expect them to treat you as a permanent couple. The I do/I will vows, made
to God, the congregation and to your pastor, promise to us that you are a permanent couple
and deserve our blessing.
The "I take you" vows:
These vows are made by the couple to each other. The congregation,
the pastor, and God are just there to witness this very private personal event. The
"I take you" vows can and should be personalized and modified to express each
individuals sentiments and use of language, but the core will be that you are
promising to each other to be married until death. Here is an example of "I take
you" vows:
Pastor: Now I ask you to make your vows to each other. Join all four
hands and repeat after me;
I take you (Name), to be my wife/husband from this day forward;
to love and to cherish you, to share all my life with you.
I promise to be a good and loving parent to your children.
And I promise to be faithful to you, and to be your best friend,
until death parts us.
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Bride/Groom: Repeats these vows, one section at a time to her/his
spouse to be.
You should write your own. They need to reflect a forever
commitment and end with the Trinitarian Formula (In the name...) but otherwise should be
what you want to say to your spouse at this very personal time.