The wedding vows are probably the most important part of the ceremony. It is where couples publicly express their commitment, and ask family and friends to witness their taking of each other as their legally married spouse.

 

The Marriage Act allows almost unlimited use of one’s imagination in all areas of the ceremony, and the vows are no exception. You may write your own vows, subject to one legally required sentence. Vows may be short or long; traditional or modern; poetic and flowery or simply the legally required sentence. Often the legally required sentence is incorporated into a longer one.

 

I can supply resource material to help you decide the general style of vow/s that suit/s you. You may find ideas for their wording or even find a vow that, with little or no change, says just want you want. Or you may ask me to write something to more accurately reflect your individualism.

 

The mandatory wording is:

 

“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, .. A B ..., take you, .. C D .., to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.”

 

Minor changes such as the following are permitted, eg: “you” to “thee”, “call upon” to “ask”, “persons” to “people”, “husband/wife” to “spouse”. The Act specifies the use of two names for each party. (Frequently we use the couple’s full names earlier in the ceremony, and you can use one name in the vows if you prefer.)

 

The Marriage Act is very specific on the mandatory wording. If a celebrant does not include wording as per the Act, ask yourself what else she/he is doing wrong! Whether it is due to ignorance, sloppiness or arrogance—do you really want that person officiating at your wedding?

Wedding Vows 

To contact me:

 

 

 

Peter G P Hooper AMC CPC

Certified Practicing Celebrant

 

Phone:  03 9772 2326

Mobile:   0419 315 933

Email:  peterh@affordablecelebrant.com.au