1. Jewish Wedding Vows
During a traditional Jewish wedding, the couple may say these words (in Hebrew) as they exchange rings:
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"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
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Along with the ring exchange, the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) are recited. Here's a translated excerpt:
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Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, gladden the beloved companions as You gladdened Your creatures in the garden of Eden. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who gladdens this couple. Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who created joy and gladness, loving couples, mirth, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, loving communities, peace, and companionship. Adonai, our God, let there soon be heard...the voice of the loving couple, the sound of the their jubilance from their canopies and of the youths from their song-filled feasts. Blessed are You Who causes the couple to rejoice, one with the other.
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We bless God for creating joy and happiness, bride and groom, mirth song, gladness and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship; and we thank God for letting this bride and groom to rejoice together.
2. Hindu Wedding Vows
As the newlyweds-to-be walk around the flame honoring Agni, the Hindu fire god, they recite the following:
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Let us take the first step to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living.
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Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers.
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Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use.
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Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust.
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Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous, and heroic children.
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Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.
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Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock.42
3. Muslim Wedding Vows
Traditionally, the Muslim wedding ceremony, or nikkah, does not include vows. Instead the imam, or cleric, will provide a short sermon and marital blessing and the newlyweds will offer their consent. If Muslim brides and grooms do choose to include a vow exchange, it typically follows the recitation below.
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Bride: "I, ___, offer you myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife."
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Groom: "I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."
4. Protestant Wedding Vows
Traditional Protestant wedding vows may be the most familiar to you. If you're nervous about slipping up, ask your cleric to perform the vows in a read-and-repeat style.
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In the name of God, I, ______, take you, ______, to be my (husband/wife), 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
5. Methodist Wedding Vows
These vows are a call-and-response. The only words a couple needs to remember to be wedded: "I do."
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Officiant: "Will you have this (woman/man) to be your (wife/husband), to live together in holy marriage? Will you love (her/him), comfort (her/him), honor, and keep (her/him) in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to (her/him) as long as you both shall live?"
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Bride/Groom: "I do."
6. Lutheran Wedding Vows
Similar to other Christian religions, Lutheran vows can be read by the officiant and repeated by the to-be-weds.
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I, ______ , take you, to be my (wife/husband), and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God; through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live.
7. Baptist Wedding Vows
There are two options for traditional Baptist vows. The first is a call-and-response from your officiant:
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Officiant: "Will you, have _____ to be your (wife/husband)? Will you love (her/him), comfort and keep (her/him), and forsaking all others remain true to (her/him), as long as you both shall live?"
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Bride/Groom: "I will."
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Your other option is a shorter version of vows—one line said by both partners:
I, _____, take thee, to be my (wife/husband), and before God and these witnesses, I promise to be a faithful and true (husband/wife).
8. Presbyterian Wedding Vows
Traditional Presbyterian vows offer another moving interpretation of those of other Christian religions. One variation is a simple call-and-response with the officiant.
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Officiant: "______, wilt thou have this woman/man to be thy wife/husband, and wilt thou pledge thy faith to him/her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her/him, and cherish her/him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?"
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Bride/Groom: "I will."
Alternately, couples can speak their own vows.
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I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, 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.
9. Catholic Wedding Vows
Before you get to your vows, Catholic brides and grooms usually have to answer three questions from the priest:
"_____ and _____, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"
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"Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"
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"Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
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You will respond with either "I will" or "yes," then continue onto the vows themselves:
I, _____, take you, _____, to be my (husband/wife). I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.
10. Episcopalian Wedding Vows
In Episcopalian tradition, the to-be-weds engage in a simple call-and-response with the officiant.
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Officiant: "______, wilt thou have this woman/man to be thy wedded wife/husband to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her/him? Comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep thee only unto her/him as long as you both shall live?"
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Bride/Groom: "I will."
Couples can also choose to speak their own vows, similar to those of other Christian religions.
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In the name of God, I, _____, take you, _____, to be my 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, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
11. Quaker Wedding Vows
In a Quaker nuptial ceremony, each partner recites the traditional wedding vows while holding hands.
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In the presence of God and these our friends, I take thee to be my wife/husband, promising with divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live.
Karen J
Lashelle Bolton was our phenomenal officiant. She made our Earth day Wedding celebration, which took place in an outdoor gazebo, super special. She worked with our dreams and made them a reality. She was eloquent, graceful, and has a lovely voice. It was so lovely working with the you and your husband. Thank you. Love and gratitude
Kayasia P.
Bishop Robert Bolton was a pleasure working with. Our wedding was on April 11, 2021. He was very professional and made us comfortable and confident while conducting our ceremony. I would definitely recommend Bishop Bolton to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and experienced Officiant for their wedding.
Debra G.
Bishop Robert Bolton is a true Man of God. He cares about the soul of the people. His desires is to see all mankind truly have a genuine and intimate relationship with the Lord. My husband and I went through a Marriage Counseling Session and the areas that he concentrated on were issues that could threaten the longevity and the happiness of a marriage. He asked thought-provoking questions that got us to have a good dialog! He injected levity in the conversation to put us at ease at times where there were moments of nervousness.
Sara R.
For your presence On our special day April 25, 2015. We will forever be grateful to you for your expertise officiating our wedding. Most of all we will always remember the prayer asking God to bless our marriage and be with us during our journey. I must say your words are powerful and immensely divine again we thank you
Tasha C.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are that we choose Bishop Robert Bolton to be our officiant at our wedding ceremony. Everything was amazing. I can not thank you enough.
Patricia D
My experience with Robert Bolton has been five stars. He is reliable, trustworthy, and passionate about his work.
Cindy P
Very professional and willing to answer any and all questions without hesitation. You will not be disappointed
Kenneth M
Bishop Bolton and the entire OACC family made our special day charming and filled with love. The bishop and lady Bolton went over and beyond by including little details that made our wedding filled with great memories and warm thoughts. Thank you OACC family for making our wedding day a great day to remember!
Lashelle B.
Bishop Bolton added great value to our experience and made the process seamless. I highly recommend One Accord Christian Church.
Shireen D
He remembered things we discussed and added them to the ceremony which was very touching. All around great man.