Marriage Vows

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! With your celebrant secured, it’s time to infuse some personal touches into your marriage ceremony script.

The exchange of vows holds immense significance as it’s the moment you both declare your love and dedication to each other. Plus, once the legal vows are exchanged, your marriage becomes official.

Wedding vows have historical roots dating back to the Roman Empire (17 BC – 476 AD). However, the earliest traditional wedding vows can be found in medieval church manuals. In these ceremonies, couples pledged to “love and cherish,” while in some instances, the groom vowed to “love, cherish, and worship,” and the bride vowed to “love, cherish, and obey.”

Wedding vows have evolved considerably since then, which is a relief. Now, while couples are still required to recite the legal vows, they have the opportunity to personalise their vows afterward.

In this article, I’ll share some straightforward advice for crafting your own heartfelt vows for your partner.

Legal Vows do I need to say them?

Yes. If you wish to be legally married in Australia then you must say the legal vows as stated in the Marriage Act 1961.

Subsection 45(2) of the Marriage Act sets out the minimum words (or vows) which must be used by the couple for a non-religious (civil) ceremony to be a marriage ceremony: Each of the parties to the marriage must say the vows to each other.

“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded (wife, husband or spouse).

Couples wishing to personalise their vows further are able to lengthen their vows by adding their chosen wording after saying the minimum words (so long as any material added does not contradict the minimum vows).

Nicknames should not be used in the legal section of the vows. However, shortened names or nicknames may be used in the personal vow section.

What makes incorporating personal vows so meaningful?

This is your chance to infuse your vows with your unique personality, emotions, and commitments.

As you embark on writing your personal vows, remember to focus on expressing your love and emotions for each other.

Craft Your Perfect Personalised Wedding Vows in 5 Easy Steps

1. The easiest way to start is to write down the answers to the following questions in point form.

* What you love about the other person

* What you love about your relationship

* Why you decided to get married

* What you promise for the future

2. Then extend them into sentences using your own words. If you require assistance in composing your vows or simply want a supportive ear to listen to your draft, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your celebrant.

3. Keep in mind to avoid making your marriage vows overly lengthy, as it could be challenging to deliver them on the day, particularly if you’re feeling emotional while reading them.

4. Additionally, keeping your marriage vows a surprise for each other and unveiling them during the ceremony is a beautiful gesture. It serves as a special gift you both exchange on your wedding day.

5. Don’t be afraid to write your own personal marriage vows. You can’t get them wrong if they are from your heart. 

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