The Heart of American Wedding Vows

American Wedding Vows may be traditional in the sense of your religion or they may be unique.  North America is a home for many cultures and thus we have a wide variety of traditional weddings, from the more traditional Mexican themed wedding to the non-denominational choices of others.  Whether you choose a traditional wedding vow from you religion or a unique wedding vow from the inspiration of the American cultures merging into your personal preferences a wedding vow is the most romantic aspect of the wedding and will remain in your memories forever.

Many weddings include two religions, instead of one changing their religion.  This can create a new wedding vow for you.  You might encompass both religions in your wedding vows rather than staying with a truly traditional vow.  Below are examples of traditional wedding vows that might lead you to a more unique, more American wedding vow.

Example 1: I take you ,______________, to be my wife/husband and I promise before God and all who are present here to be your loving and faithful husband/wife, as long as our lives shall last. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop God’s gifts in you.
 

Example 2: I, ________________, take you, _____________, to be my wife/husband; and I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband/wife; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live.
 

Example 3: Before God and these witnesses, I, ________________, take you, _______________, to be my husband/wife, and I promise to love you, and to be faithful to you as long as we both shall live.

More non- traditional wedding vows maybe this, titled Blessed Be:

(Groom) (Name), as we stand before both God and man making public our commitment to one another, I wish to make it known that I recognize God's authority over my life, which is exercised from His loving heart. He has chosen me to be one of His own, and has since been my life. I recognize also that He has blessed me, and entrusted to me your life as an unearned gift. In recognition of these things, I, (Name), take you, (Name), to be my wife. I purpose to love you with His love, to provide for your needs through His enablement, and to lead you as He leads me, as long as He gives me life, regardless of circumstances. (Name), I look forward to establishing a home where Christ is glorified. Toward that end I promise to allow God to use you in my life as He sees best in building me into His person. I thank Him for your love and friendship.

(Bride) I (Name), take you, (Name), to be my husband. With the greatest joy I come into my new life with you. Today I am reminded of James l:17 which says, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." Besides the gift of salvation, you are the most precious gift God has given me. I know that along with the new joys God has given me, I face new responsibilities that I cannot fulfill in my own strength. But by God's grace and power working within me, I desire to be trustworthy as your wife, to serve and love you in all circumstances, to obey you, to allow God to use you to build His qualities in me, as long as God give us life on this earth. I praise God continually for you, (Name), and for your love and friendship.

This wedding vow comes from the Wicca belief, yet another culture in America.  With the melding of cultures it’s not a wonder that we have American wedding vows.  These may be less traditional or encompass two traditions melding into one.  Wedding vows are a symbol of your love for your partner and mean a great deal to them and your audience.  

Your audience may play a small role in which vows you choose.  You may decide to be more traditional because your family expects it of you.  Remember that giving your audience consideration does not mean you have to give up the message you want your partner to gain from your words.  If humor is important to your personality than include a little laughter to lighten the mood.  The use of humor is an American wedding vow, even among the celebrities.

Wedding vows are an important part of the wedding, arguably the most romantic moment.  Create your American Wedding vows from the heart so that your partner may know just how much they mean to you and so that your family and friends can share in the moment.