- The wedding vows are solemn promises between couples, declarations of intention. They are also a covenant, which is a promise, a contract, and a commitment between two people. Both people should agree upon the wording of the wedding covenant before the ceremony.
- The wedding vows began with the Book of Common Prayer, published in 1549 and used by the Anglican Church. The original vows included the words love, cherish, and obey, for the woman and, love and cherish, for the man. On September 12, 1922, the Episcopal Church removed the word "obey" from the bride's part of the vows. Today, most couples who choose the traditional vows use the revised words: "love, honor, and cherish."
- Modern society may misconstrue the original meaning of the vows from the Book of Common Prayer. The word "obey" does not mean that one person is subservient to the other. The Latin dictionary offers the definition: "to mean, listen deeply." Biblical references further define the word. Paul's letters emphasize the importance of submitting to one another. "To thee I plight my troth" is in the Book of Common Prayer as well. "Plight" means promise and "troth" means faithfulness.
- Couples sometimes write their own wedding vows. This gives the two a chance to express a personal commitment to each other. Myweddingvows.com has an extensive collection of wedding vows that are non-traditional, traditional, personal, and even vows of well-known celebrities. These vows are a springboard for any couple who are uncertain about the type of vows they wish to consider.
- When writing your own vows, there are considerations. Think about your feelings for your partner and your willingness to give to each other. Together, research and discuss the different wedding vows, including the traditional wedding vows and contemporary vows. If you have a religious leader, talk with him or her for guidance on Biblical references.
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