Traditional wedding vows have been spoken for centuries, and there is a reason they still move people. Here is the full wording, where it comes from, and how to keep the meaning while making it your own.
The traditional wedding vows wording
“I, [name], take you, [name], to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Where traditional vows come from
The core phrasing traces to the Book of Common Prayer (1549). Most couples who choose traditional vows do so for its gravity and familiarity — guests recognize it the moment it begins.
How to personalize traditional vows without losing them
Keep the structure (the promises), then add one or two personal lines at the start or end. You keep the weight of the original and the warmth of your own words.
Traditional or personal — you do not have to choose
Many couples speak the traditional vows, then each add a short personal paragraph. It is the best of both.
If you want a draft that blends traditional wording with your story, try Wedding Vows Easy →