Wedding vows are promises made by the bride and groom to each other during a wedding ceremony. In Western culture, these promises have traditionally included the notions of unselfishness, faithfulness, unconditionally and permanence.
The vows, of course, are the part we remember most about any wedding ceremony and are the emotional and spiritual binding part of the ceremony. Vows are love made tangible. They both reach from and speak to the heart. They advertise the love that brought you together, and draw a blueprint for the love you intend to sustain.
More than a bouquet of pretty words spoken in the presence of witnesses, your wedding vows are heartfelt spoken promises of what you are willing to do for one another, under what circumstances, and for what length of time. As you speak these words, you are making yourself accountable through intention-to yourself and to your beloved-to live, love, and behave in certain specified ways. Regardless of whether in time you are able to live up to your vows to perfection, what you say here is of the utmost importance; for spoken and witnessed, these words will continuously call you to the emotional, behavioral, and spiritual commitment that from this day forward you are choosing to undertake.
A personal sample:
I vow…
… to forever love you…
While our love is very new and a long way from ‘forever’ such potential desires for “everlasting” is found in the change from “my needs” in favor of “your needs”… I give unto you without return.
… to always be there for you…
I am here today and patiently waiting for tomorrow to ensure you are happy and content… I will do that this day and every day hereafter.
… to accept you as openly as you have me…
I have always had a need to “fix things” - to believe I can make anything work or make better. It is so difficult to simply sit and let you do everything your way in your own time… but this is me accepting you, as you are.
… to always listen to your needs, desires, interests, and concerns, and encourage you to be more than you are…
In times when you are weak, need an ear, a helping hand or have the need to be inspired I will continue to do so. I will still have time to admire all the brilliance about you.
… to always brighten your days, each and every one…
I will always make you laugh, bring a tear of joy, or make your heart skip a beat… I will ensure that boredom never dulls your smile.
… to fulfill your night with endless dreams, love, and passion…
If every night you fall asleep thinking of me you will have all the dreams, love, and passion you will every need.
… to ensure you heart never needs to yearn for another…
My soul can keep you interested, satisfied, and content so you need not search for more - you have what you have wished for, for all your life.
… to embrace you without you needing to ask for it…
To complement, to console, and to ‘not just’ see and admire your beauty and sex appeal but to always let you know “I know” how beautiful you are.
… to make your life complete…
In every way that a man, a partner, your best friend can possibly fulfill you. My love, I am for you, and only you. With heartfelt joy I say you have so enriched my life that it will take an eternity to give back what you have given me…
…all my love, for all your life.