Must Your Vows Follow a Set Structure?
Vows don’t have to be scripted -- get creative and write from your heart. Keep in mind that many places require certain words in order for the marriage to be legally binding. In addition to the promise to take your partner as your spouse, convey your deepest feelings in the form of poetry, a short anecdote, or a mix of traditional vows and your own words.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old grief's, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”
-Elizabeth Barratt Browning
“I (name) take you (name) as my wife/husband, and commit myself to loving you all the days of our lives.”