Promises of love: Wedding vows across different cultures

Marriage is a lifelong commitment, one that sees the couple make a promise, a vow to stand by each other’s side in good times and bad. Wedding vows, an integral part of a wedding ceremony, are what make the entire ceremony so meaningful and personal as family and friends witness the couple set the foundation for a lifetime together. While the fundamental sentiment is the same—commitment, partnership, honesty, and patience, amongst others, vows differ across various cultures and religions with each of them highlighting the beliefs and values of its people. 

Take a look, for these may be just the wedding vows that you and your partner have been looking for.

Catholic wedding: Extremely short and structured, these vows are as traditional as things can be. Here’s how they go. 

"I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part and for as long as I shall live." 

Protestant wedding: Largely similar to Catholic wedding vows, the reason Protestant vows may sound so familiar to you is because of the number of American movies and television shows you’ve seen. If there’s a wedding in them, there’s a likelihood that  Protestant wedding vows are being used. 

"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."

Hindu wedding: The traditional Hindu wedding ceremony sees the vow exchange take place with the couple taking seven steps/circles around the fire (known as Saptapadi). The couple walks around the fire that honours Agni, the Hindu fire god, and recites the following as part of their vows. 

“Let’s take the first step to provide our household with a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding foods that are injurious to a healthy life. Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers. Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use. Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony through mutual love and trust. Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous, and heroic children. Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity. Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock.”

Islamic wedding: As per tradition, a Muslim wedding ceremony, known as the nikah, doesn’t include vows. Here, the imam (cleric) speaks to the couple about the responsibilities of marriage instead. Those who choose to recite their own vows typically use the following. 

I (the bride) 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. 

I (the groom) pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband.

Buddhist weddings: Traditional Buddhist wedding ceremonies involve the person officiating the ceremony asking the couple a host of questions to which they respond. While the words of these vows may not be romantic, dig deep and you’ll see how powerful and meaningful they are. 

Officiant: Life will not always be smooth, and sometimes your own minds and emotions may get stuck in negativity. Do you pledge to see these circumstances as a challenge to allow you to grow, open your heart, accept yourselves and each other, and create compassion for others who are suffering? Do you pledge to avoid becoming narrow, closed, or opinionated, and to help each other see all sides of a situation?

Couple: We do.

Officiant: Just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a mystery to us. Do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, and to examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?

Couple: We do.

Officiant: Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other and share it with all? To take the loving feeling you have for each other and your vision of each other’s potential and inner beauty as an example and, rather than spiralling inwards and becoming self-absorbed, radiate this love outwards to all beings?

Couple: We do.

Officiant: _____ and _____ do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration, and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity?

Couple: We do.

Japanese wedding: Straightforward and concise, there are two ways to take the wedding vows at a Japanese wedding. The first sees the officiant reading the list of promises and asking the couple if they are ready to commit to them. The other involves the couple reciting the vows by themselves. 

I marry this man/woman. No matter what health situations may come, I will love this person, respect this person, console this person, help this person, until death, protecting their fidelity—these things I swear.

Viking wedding: The Vikings were powerful people, and their wedding vows were very representative of the strength that they embodied. So much so that even Thor’s hammer got an honourable mention in them. 

I, ____, take you, ____, to be my lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. By the strength of Thor's hammer, I vow to protect and cherish you. By the light of the sun and the power of the gods, I pledge to love and honour you always.

There shall be one end for us both; one bond after our vows; nor shall our first love aimlessly perish. Happy am I to have won the joy of such a consort; I shall not go down basely in loneliness to the gods of Tartarus.

With this ring, I thee wed. I give you my heart and soul, and promise to love and cherish you always. I promise to be your faithful partner, to stand by your side through thick and thin, and to love and support you for all eternity.

Lead image: Amazon Prime Video

Also read: How to write your wedding vows

Also read: What you need to know before writing your wedding vows