The most common traditional wedding vows read: "I, [name], take you, [name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." The wording traces to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer and appears, lightly varied, in Christian, Catholic and civil ceremonies.
Traditional vows have lasted for a reason: they say the essential things plainly, and everyone in the room knows the weight of the words. If you want a ceremony that feels timeless, or you simply do not want to write your own, the classic vows are a beautiful choice. Here is the full wording, the versions used in different ceremonies, and what each line really means.
Want to keep the structure but make it yours? Our free vow builder helps you adapt the traditional lines or write personal ones alongside them.
The classic traditional wedding vows
This is the standard, widely recognized version, the one most people picture when they think of wedding vows:
"I, [name], take you, [name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
It is usually said as a repeat-after-me, with the officiant feeding you a line at a time, so you never have to memorize it.
Traditional vows by ceremony type
The bones are the same across ceremonies; the framing changes. These are the standard forms drawn from each tradition's official text.
| Ceremony | Distinctive wording |
|---|---|
| Christian (Book of Common Prayer) | Adds "according to God's holy law" and "in the presence of God I make this vow." |
| Catholic (Roman Missal) | "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." |
| Civil ceremony | The same classic wording with religious lines removed; "till death do us part" optional. |
Source for the religious wording: the Church of England Book of Common Prayer and the Catholic Roman Missal, as compiled by The Knot and WeddingWire.
What the traditional vows actually mean
Each phrase carries a specific promise. Knowing what you are saying makes the vows land harder when you say them.
- "To have and to hold": a promise of physical and emotional presence, to belong to each other.
- "From this day forward": the marriage begins now and is ongoing, not conditional.
- "For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer": a commitment that holds through good fortune and hardship alike.
- "In sickness and in health": care through illness, not only the easy seasons.
- "To love and to cherish": not just to love, but to treat each other as precious.
- "Till death do us part": a vow for life, the line that gives the rest its weight.
Keeping tradition but making it yours
You do not have to choose between traditional and personal. Many couples say the traditional vows during the ceremony for their gravity, then read short personal vows to each other as well. You can also lightly adapt the classic lines: swap "till death do us part" for "all the days of my life," or drop a phrase that does not fit your beliefs. If you want to write your own from scratch, see our guide on how to write wedding vows.
Frequently asked questions
What are the traditional wedding vows word for word?
The classic version is: "I, [name], take you, [name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." Religious ceremonies add lines like "according to God's holy law."
Where do traditional wedding vows come from?
The familiar wording traces to the 1549 Book of Common Prayer in the Church of England, refined in later editions. The phrasing spread through Christian, Catholic and eventually civil ceremonies, which is why so many versions share the same lines.
Can you change traditional wedding vows?
Yes. Couples often keep the structure and adjust a line or two, drop the religious phrasing for a civil ceremony, or pair the traditional vows with personal ones. Check with your officiant, since some religious ceremonies require specific wording.
Do you have to memorize traditional vows?
No. Traditional vows are almost always said repeat-after-me, with the officiant giving you one short line at a time. You will never have to recite the whole thing from memory.