Complete Book of Wedding Vows (12 page)

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Authors: Diane Warner

Tags: #Family & Relationships, #Marriage, #test

BOOK: Complete Book of Wedding Vows
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Page 35
Bride: "__________________, I now take you to be my wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy relationship of marriage. I promise to love you and obey you, honor and keep you, and forsaking all others, I will be yours alone as long as we both shall live."
 
Page 37
Chapter 2
Nontraditional Vows
The majority of brides and grooms these days are rejecting traditional wedding vows and reciting their own personalized vows instead. The younger the couple, in fact, the less likely they are to subscribe to tradition, particularly strict religious or cultural rules and practices. This disregard for tradition began, as I mentioned in my introduction, back in the 50s and 60s. It was triggered by a number of factors, including an increased number of mixed and ecumenical marriages, which demanded a change in the traditional wording, and the rise of liberated women in society, who rejected any semblance of inequality in male and female roles. Hence, we see revolutionary and fascinating changes in the wording of wedding vows in the 90s. This chapter offers a large selection of these contemporary phrasings.
 
Page 38
"_________________, we have come here today to celebrate our marriage. A marriage is a commitment between two people, spoken publicly before witnesses. And so, ________________, I commit myself to you today, before this congregation of family and friends, without reservation or embarrassment of any kind as I say: I love you; I need you; I thank God for you; and I promise to be a good and faithful husband / wife to you so long as we both shall love."
"I bring myself to you this day to share my life with you; you can trust my love, for it's real. I promise to be a faithful mate and to unfailingly share and support your hopes, dreams and goals. I vow to be there for you always; when you fall, I will catch you; when you cry, I will comfort you; when you laugh, I will share your joy. Everything I am and everything I have is yours, from this moment forth and for eternity."
"Come to me softly, my love; speak to me softly and let me hold your love warm against my heart. May we experience the quiet joys of marriage as our precious love grows deeper through each season. I will be there for you always, holding your hand as we walk together side by side. I give my life to you this day as your loving, devoted husband / wife, and I promise to be faithful and true to you forevermore, from this day forth, through all the adversities and joys of life, as long as God gives us on this earth."

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