A Template for Writing Baptist Wedding Vows to Guide Your Ceremony

Exchanging wedding vows and entering into marriage is what a wedding day is all about, but when it comes to knowing exactly what to say, many couples are at a loss. Especially when couples want to honor their religion or heritage, there may be a feeling of pressure to get everything right and to say the correct things. Don't fret: we're here to help walk you through exactly what to say!

For couples getting married in the Baptist church, tradition dictates many elements of how the ceremony will transpire. While most Baptist weddings are very similar to other Protestant Christian weddings (like Methodist wedding vows or Presbyterian wedding vows), there is certain verbiage that is generally adhered to for the vow exchange in a Baptist church. Even couples who come from a Baptist background but are hosting their wedding day somewhere other than a church may wish to honor their faith by exchanging traditional wedding vows. Using this template as a guide, work in tandem with your significant other and your officiant to craft a wedding ceremony that is perfect for you that also honors your faith.

What to Include in Your Baptist Wedding Vows

The wedding vow portion of a Baptist wedding ceremony has three distinguishable components: the declaration of intent, the exchange of vows and the exchange of rings. The declaration of intent is a proclamation of your desire to enter into holy matrimony. Following that the exchange of vows allows you to promise certain things to your partner and make commitments about what your marriage will look like. And to conclude, the ring exchange makes space for giving each other wedding rings as a symbol of the vows you just entered into.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Declaration of Intent

Prior to exchanging "I do" statements during the marriage ceremony, couples generally are asked a series of questions to which they're to respond with "I will." These exchanges demonstrate the couple's declaration of intent to enter into wedlock. The declaration of intent section generally ends with a question asking if the couple will hold fast to their solemn vows "as long as you both shall live," "till death parts you," or something along those lines.

Exchange of Vows

Following the declaration of intent, couples will exchange their vows of matrimony. Baptist vows, as with most Christian wedding vows, generally include a few notable elements. To begin, one partner usually promises to take their significant other as a faithful wife or faithful husband or as a wedded husband or wedded wife. Mention of the witnesses to the union, both physical and spiritual is often made. Whether the couple references making their promise "in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" or they may simply say something like "before God and His Church." While Baptist wedding vows have more of a set structure than non-denominational wedding vows would have, there's still some room within the framework to adjust your own wedding vows.

Exchange of Rings

Once the couple has exchanged vows, they'll place wedding rings on each other's fingers and recite one last promise about the significance of the wedding rings and how they are committing to be together. The phrasing usually mentioned that the ring is being given as a symbol of their love and their commitment to each other that will last all the days of their lives.

Traditional Baptist Wedding Vows Template

As you're writing your wedding ceremony script, use these wedding vow examples to guide you. While it's a good idea to collaborate with your officiant on the final draft of your wedding ceremony wording, feel free to simply copy and paste these options into your own vow draft.

Declaration of Intent

Officiant: "Will you, have _____ to be your (wife/husband)? Will you love (her/him), comfort and keep (her/him), and forsaking all others remain true to (her/him), as long as you both shall live?"

Bride/Groom: "I will."

Baptist Wedding Vow Sample Option 1

"Will you, ______ have ______ to be your wife/husband? Will you love her/him, comfort and keep her/him, and forsaking all others remain true to her/him, as long as you both shall live?"

"I, ______, take thee, ______, to be my wife/husband, and before God and these witnesses I promise to be a faithful and true husband/wife."

Baptist Wedding Vow Sample Option 2

"I, ________, take thee ________, to be my husband/wife,
and before God and these witnesses I promise to be
a faithful and true husband/wife."

Ring Exchange

"With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, 'til death do us part."

Personalizing Baptist Wedding Vows

While this template is a traditional framework for Baptist marriage vows, there is often room to personalize and adjust the wording as a couple sees fit. Whether you simply want to make a small tweak, like saying "in the presence of God" instead of "before God," or you wish to make more substantial changes, the best course of action is to discuss your wishes with your officiant.

Additionally, many couples who want to add even more personalization to their vows may opt to exchange two sets of vows—traditional Baptist ones followed by self-penned promises. This option affords to-be-weds the chance to honor their religion while also celebrating what makes their relationship unique. Whether you want to bring humor to your ceremony by paying homage to an inside joke or simply want to be able to craft commitments that reflect the nuances of your own relationship, including a second set of vows in your wedding ceremony is the spot to do just that. To begin the process of writing your own vows, consider starting by asking yourself these questions.