by Johanna Osborne

In the age where everyone strives to make their wedding unique and different, marriage vows are of course one of the first things to no longer be standard and predictable. These days it’s about personalised, extraordinary, loving and sometimes witty exchanges of promises between a couple and we have to say, we love it.

The exchange of vows is a far cry from the yawn-stifling snore fest it used to be in days gone by, and guests no longer have the urge to check their watches to see if champagne o-clock is finally approaching. These days the ceremony rivals the speeches in terms of emotion and hilarity. This is a huge part of a wedding and should not be underrated! In fact, it’s something to seriously look forward to as a guest, from seeing the bride walking down the aisle in her dazzling gown, to the look on the groom’s face, the emotion in the eyes of friends and family and of course the all important declaration of love. We LIVE for this stuff!

There is nothing more touching than a couple who has taken the time to compile what can only be described as the most personal letter they will ever write and bravely read aloud (or recite!) in front of a mass of friends and family. It takes serious courage to do that, but it’s worth it. The emotional feel good factor from the audience alone will be through the roof and their support (after all, everyone wants you to deliver your lines successfully!) a huge source of adrenalin and confidence all in one – and of course your groom/bride will never forget your moving words and promises for as long as you both shall live.

I’m an old fashioned girl myself and my vows were as traditional as they come, but I’ve since seen and heard some of the most beautiful vows at ceremonies and wanted to share my favourites with you today.

From The Knot – real life vows by Laine & Shane
Groom & Bride

“I promise to be your lover, companion and friend,
Your partner in parenthood,
Your ally in conflict,
Your greatest fan and your toughest adversary.
Your comrade in adventure,
Your student and your teacher,
Your consolation in disappointment,
Your accomplice in mischief.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.”

From Dream Destination Weddings

“I (Name) affirm my love to you, (name) as I invite you to share my life. You are the most beautiful, smart and generous person I have ever known and I promise always to respect you and love you.
With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together.
I take you (name) to be my lawful wife/husband to have from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

From Dream Destination Weddings

“Many people spend their lives searching for their soul mate, their one true love. Some people are lucky to find the person they can truly call the better half of themselves, while others spend the rest of their lives searching and never finding. I am happy to count myself among the lucky ones because I found you. I love you (name), I know you are the only one for me, my one true love. I am happy and I am grateful that you came into my life. And now that I have found you, I shall never let you go. I promise you (name), that I shall hold you and cherish you, and give you my heart, that I shall support you and care for you. Faithfully, I shall always stand steadfast by your side with your hand in mine, regardless of what life would bring us. I take you now as my wife/husband and I shall remain so for the rest of my life.”

From Offbeat Bride
Bride and groom mixed and matched their thoughts to create the same vows

“I am proud to take you as my husband/wife.
For all the time we have been together, there has always been the kind of mutual understanding which is only shared when there is true love.
You have helped me triumph over challenges presented,
Encouraged my personal growth and boosted my self-esteem.
You have helped me become the person I am today,
And with your help, I will be a better person tomorrow than I was yesterday.
I vow to trust and value your opinions, and stand by your actions.
I pledge to always treat you as my best friend and equal.
I will ask for help when I need it, and offer help to you always.
Let us be friends and lovers, and grow old disgracefully together.

 
From Offbeat Bride
Adventurous bride’s vows

“I promise today to be your navigator, best friend, and wife; honor, love, and cherish you through all of life’s adventures. I swear to always and forever be your confidant and you mine. I vow to grow old with you and to keep the kid in you alive. I take you today to be my co-captain of team Mulligan.”

From About.Com Weddings
Love You Without Reservation

 
“(Name), today I take you for my (wife/husband). I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve 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.”

Best Friend

“(Name), today I take you to be my (husband/wife). Together we will create a home, becoming a part of one another. I vow to help create a life that we can cherish, inspiring your love for me and mine for you. I vow to be honest, caring and truthful, to love you as you are and not as I want you to be, and to grow old by your side as your love and best friend.”

The Best Person I Can Be

 
“(Name), from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. This is my solemn vow.”