What do we say during the ceremony?

What you say to one another at the actual ceremony depends on several factors including, the laws of that province or country where the marriage is taking place. The most simple civil ceremony done at the courthouse will include the legal wording of the land. You are basically attesting to and signing a contract in front of witnesses, a contract written by the state.

Depending where you are of course, most religious and symbolic sentimental phrases will not be included in these ceremonies. It up to you therefore to decide what you want to say or what you want to include. Below are some traditional wedding vows that are often used or modified to suit specific tastes. We welcome submissions of original wedding vows or old classics that you may have dug up somewhere.

Vow No. 1 - Bride & Groom - Traditional

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 (as long as I shall live) or (until death parts us).

Vow No. 2 - Bride to Groom
I, (Bride's Name), take (you/thee), (Groom's Name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special [opt: and holy] day, I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you in the presence of God and (all those in attendance/these witnesses) my (pledge/sacred promise) to stay by your side as your [opt: faithful] wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve (higher/all of your) goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Vow No. 2a - Groom to Bride
I, (Groom's Name), take (you/thee), (Bride's Name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] wife, knowing in my heart that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special [opt: and holy] day, I (affirm/reaffirm/give) to you in the presence of God and (all those in attendance/these witnesses) my (pledge/sacred promise) to stay by your side as your [opt: faithful] husband in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I (promise/further promise) to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Vow No. 3 - Traditional
(Groom)
Do you (name) take (name) to be your lawful wedded wife?
I DO.
Will you love, respect and honor her throughout your years together?
I WILL.

(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Vow No. 4 - Traditional
(Groom)
(Name) do you take (name) whom you now hold by the hand to be your lawful wedded wife?
I DO.
Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?
I Do.
(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Vow No. 5
Do you mutually promise in the presence of your friends and family that you will at all times and in all circumstances, conduct yourselves toward one another as becomes Husband and Wife?
WE DO.
Do you mutually promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?
WE DO.

Vow No. 6
(Name) do you pledge to love (name) and throughout your years together to be honest, faithful, and kind to her.
Do you pledge to give to her the same happiness she gives to you, to react to her as only you can, and to respect her for who she is, not who you want her to be?
I DO.
(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Vow No. 7
(repeated to each other after me by phrases)
With all my heart I take you to be my wife.
I will love you through the good and the bad, through the joy and the sorrow.
I will try to by understanding, and to trust in you completely.
I will make you a part of me and in turn, become a part of you.
Together we will face all of life's experiences and share one anothers dreams and goals.
We will be equal partners in an open, honest relationship throughout the years.
(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Vow No. 8
(repeated to each other after me by phrases)
(Name) it is my intention to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve those things that are important to us, to accept you unconditionally, and to share life with you throughout the years.
(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Vow No. 9
(repeated to each other after me by phrases)
I pledge to you with all my heart and being to love and support you in all ways, to my utmost capabilities, for the rest of our lives.
(Bride repeats the same vows.)

Rings:

"With this ring I thee wed."

"With this ring I pledge my love."

"With this ring I pledge my commitment."

"With this ring I pledge my love and commitment."

Pronouncement:

"By the authority vested in me by this State/province witnessed by your friends and family, I have the pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife."

Kiss:

"You may now seal your vows with a kiss."

Presentation:

"And now Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of presenting to you Mr. and Mrs. John Doe."

"I now have the pleasure of presenting to you John and Jane, husband and wife."
(Some couples would rather not be presented.) wedsite