Staring at a blank page the night before your wedding? Yeah, we've all been there. Writing your own vows sounds romantic in theory — until you're actually sitting down trying to figure out how to compress a lifetime of love into two minutes of speaking.
That's exactly why we put together this collection. Below you'll find 15 free wedding vow examples you can use exactly as written, tweak to fit your story, or use as a jumping-off point to write something completely your own.
And if these 15 aren't enough (or you want a structured framework to write your own from scratch), we've got a full collection of 47 wedding vow templates plus a step-by-step writing guide over on our wedding vows product page.
Short and Sweet Vows
Sometimes less really is more. These vows say everything that matters in under 60 seconds — perfect for couples who want to keep the ceremony moving or who just aren't comfortable with long speeches.
Short Vow #1 — "My Favorite Person"
I promise to be your partner in every adventure, your comfort in every storm, and the one who always remembers your coffee order. You are my favorite person, and I choose you — today, tomorrow, and every day after that.
Short Vow #2 — "Home"
Before I met you, I didn't know what home felt like. Now I know it's not a place — it's wherever you are. I promise to love you, laugh with you, and build a life with you that makes us both proud.
Short Vow #3 — "Simple Truths"
I love you for who you are, not who I want you to be. I promise to support your dreams, forgive your quirks, and hold your hand through every chapter — the exciting ones and the boring ones. You're my person. That's all I need to say.
When to use short vows: Short vows work beautifully in intimate ceremonies, elopements, or when both partners agree to keep things brief. They also pair well with a longer reading or song during the ceremony.
Traditional Vows
Traditional vows carry the weight of centuries. There's a reason couples have been saying versions of these words for generations — they're honest, comprehensive, and grounded in real commitment.
Traditional Vow #1 — "For Better or Worse"
I take you to be my husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward. I promise to stand beside you through joy and sorrow, plenty and want, sickness and health. I will honor you, cherish you, and remain devoted to you for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
Traditional Vow #2 — "Before God and Family"
Before our family and friends, I make this promise to you: I will love you faithfully and give you the best of myself. I will be patient when we disagree, generous when you need support, and honest even when the truth is hard. I take you as my partner — fully, freely, and forever.
Traditional Vow #3 — "A Sacred Promise"
With this ring, I give you my heart. I promise to be your faithful partner in all of life's adventures. I will love you when we are together and when we are apart. I will celebrate your triumphs and comfort you in your struggles. I will work to make our love a thing of beauty and strength.
When to use traditional vows: These are ideal for formal or religious ceremonies, or when you want something timeless that grandparents and older guests will connect with.
Modern and Romantic Vows
Modern vows tend to be more personal, more conversational, and less bound by ceremony conventions. They sound like something you'd actually say to your partner — just with a little more polish.
Modern Vow #1 — "I Didn't Believe in Soulmates"
I spent years convincing myself that soulmates weren't real — that love was just finding someone tolerable and choosing to stick around. Then I met you, and I realized I was wrong about all of it. You make me braver. You make me kinder. You make me want to be the kind of person who deserves you. I promise to keep choosing you — not because it's easy, but because nothing else has ever felt this right.
Modern Vow #2 — "My Greatest Adventure"
They say marriage is hard work, and I believe them. But I also believe that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and you are the most worth-it thing I've ever known. I promise to be your co-conspirator, your biggest cheerleader, and the person who always thinks your jokes are funny — even the bad ones. I choose this life with you, and I'd choose it all over again.
Modern Vow #3 — "The One I Call First"
You're the person I call when something good happens. You're the person I call when something goes wrong. You're the person I want beside me in every ordinary Tuesday and every extraordinary milestone. I don't need a fairy tale. I just need you — your honesty, your laugh, your stubbornness, your heart. I promise to love all of it, always.
When to use modern vows: These shine in secular ceremonies, outdoor weddings, and celebrations with a relaxed vibe. They're great if you and your partner value authenticity over formality.
Funny and Lighthearted Vows
Humor is one of the most underrated tools in wedding vows. A well-placed laugh breaks the tension, connects you with your guests, and makes the moment memorable. The key is balancing the jokes with a genuine moment of sincerity.
Funny Vow #1 — "I Promise to Try"
I promise to love you even when you leave dishes in the sink, when you hog the blankets, and when you pretend you weren't sleeping when I asked you a question. I promise to pretend your golf swing is improving and to never reveal how much I actually spend at Target. But most importantly, I promise to laugh with you every single day — because life with you is already the best joke I've ever heard.
Funny Vow #2 — "The Real Commitments"
I take you to be my lawfully wedded partner, with the following terms and conditions: I will share my fries but not my dessert. I will watch your shows, but I reserve the right to complain about them. I will kill the spiders, but you have to deal with anything with more than six legs. Jokes aside — I promise to love you fiercely, show up for you always, and be the teammate you deserve. You're my favorite weirdo, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Funny Vow #3 — "50/50"
I promise to give you 50% of the blanket, 50% of the closet space, and 50% of the decision-making power — unless pizza toppings are involved, in which case I get final say. I promise to be your emergency contact, your plus-one, and the person who tells you when you have spinach in your teeth. In all seriousness, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know it.
When to use funny vows: Perfect for couples whose love language is banter, for second marriages where the tone is lighter, or for ceremonies where you want guests laughing and crying in equal measure.
Religious and Spiritual Vows
For couples whose faith is central to their relationship, incorporating spiritual language adds a layer of meaning that goes beyond the two of you.
Religious Vow #1 — "A Covenant Love"
I believe that God brought us together for a purpose, and today I stand before Him to make this promise to you. I will love you with the patience of Christ, the faithfulness of His covenant, and the grace He has shown us both. I will pray with you, grow with you in faith, and honor the sacred commitment we make today.
Religious Vow #2 — "Blessed Union"
With God as my witness, I take you as my beloved. I promise to walk beside you in faith, to seek His will for our marriage, and to build a home rooted in love, trust, and devotion. When the road is easy, I will rejoice with you. When it is hard, I will carry you — and let God carry us both.
Religious Vow #3 — "A Prayer for Us"
Lord, let our marriage be a reflection of Your love. I promise to serve this person with humility, to forgive as You have forgiven us, and to build a life together that honors You. I take this vow not only before our loved ones, but before You — knowing that Your strength will carry us through every season.
When to use religious vows: These are appropriate for church weddings, ceremonies led by clergy, or any wedding where faith is a central theme.
How to Personalize Any Vow
The examples above are great starting points, but the best wedding vows include specific details that only apply to your relationship. Here's how to make any template your own:
1. Add a Specific Memory
Pick one moment that defines your relationship — the night you met, a trip that went sideways, a random Tuesday that became special. One concrete story does more work than ten abstract promises.
2. Use Your Actual Voice
Write like you talk. If you wouldn't say "I vow to cherish thee" over dinner, don't say it at your wedding. The best vows sound like the most important conversation you've ever had.
3. Include the Unromantic Stuff
The funny, mundane details are what make vows feel real. Promise to make coffee on Saturdays. Promise to let them control the playlist on road trips. These small promises are often the ones that hit hardest.
4. Balance Promise with Story
Don't just list promises. Weave in why. Every promise is stronger when it's attached to a reason or a memory.
5. Keep It Under Three Minutes
Three minutes of speaking is roughly 350-400 words. Anything longer and your guests start to drift. Edit ruthlessly — cut the generic stuff and keep the specific stuff.
If you want more options, our complete wedding vow collection includes 47 templates, mix-and-match sections, and a full writing framework. Our wedding vow guide also walks you through the writing process step by step. And if you're planning other wedding speeches, check out our best man speech templates and maid of honor speech templates.