Declaration of Intent in a Wedding: What It Means + Sample Scripts

When planning your wedding ceremony, there are certain special moments that everyone expects—the to-be-weds walking down the aisle, the exchange of wedding vow promises and the kiss that seals the celebration. But you may be wondering: What is the declaration of intent in a wedding? Spoiler alert: It's another pivotal moment of the ceremony that carries both legal and symbolic weight as you and your partner begin your marriage. To break it down, we spoke with wedding officiant Sarah-Pete Petersen and wedding attorney Leah Weinberg about all things marriage declaration of intent. Plus, keep reading for real declaration of intent marriage examples.

In this article: What Is the Declaration of Intent at a Wedding? | Declaration of Intent vs. Vows | Wedding Declaration of Intent Examples | Does a Marriage Ceremony Require a Declaration of Intent?

What Is the Declaration of Intent at a Wedding?

"The declaration of intent in a wedding ceremony is the part where the couple confirms that they do indeed want to marry each other," Weinberg explains. "It's the moment in a ceremony where the officiant asks a question and the couple responds with: 'I do.'"

The wedding declaration of intent serves both a legal and symbolic purpose. "Symbolically, the couple is declaring their intentions publicly, but in most states, this is also legally required to establish the fact that the couple is entering into the marriage willingly and with consent," Petersen adds.

Declaration of Intent vs. Vows

Still wondering, what is the declaration of intent? Here, we dive into specifics of the expression of intent in a wedding, including purpose, how it differs from the vows, timing and wording. Plus, find declaration of intent wedding examples you can adapt for your own ceremony.

Purpose

First off, the wedding vows and declaration of intent serve different purposes. Weinberg explains that vows are the promises the couple is making to each other. The wedding ceremony declaration of intent, on the other hand, is a statement delivered by the wedding officiant in an answer and repeat format, Petersen says. It is required in most states for a marriage to be considered official and legal, Weinberg adds.

Timing

So, which comes first, the ring exchange or declaration of intent? Traditionally, the wedding ceremony order goes: wedding vows, the declaration of intent and then the ring exchange, Weinberg notes. Lastly, the officiant officially pronounces the couple as married.

Wording

For the wedding vow examples, couples can say whatever they want in this portion of the ceremony. Vows also vary in length, and Weiberg adds that there are no specific legal requirements for what has to be said during the vows for the marriage to be a legally binding union.

For the declaration of intent, "this is the point in the ceremony where the officiant asks something to the effect of: 'Do you, [insert name], take [insert name] to be your lawfully wedded spouse?' and then the marrier responds with 'I do,'" Weinberg explains. "And then the same question is asked of the other partner."

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In many cases, Weinberg notes, the state doesn't mandate specific wording. For example, New York's Department of Health states only that "the parties must state in the presence of an authorized public official or authorized member of the clergy and at least one other witness that each takes the other as [their] spouse."

In other words, there isn't a specific declaration of intent wedding script to follow. Couples have the creative freedom to personalize this moment and use whatever wedding declaration of intent examples they prefer—whether they like a modern, traditional or casual declaration of intent for their wedding.

Wedding Declaration of Intent Examples

When you're searching for your wedding officiant (pro tip: find one via The Knot Vendor Marketplace by filtering by religious affiliation, ceremony type or location), one of the questions for officiants to add to your list is how they'll handle this portion of the ceremony. Ask them to share marriage declaration of intent examples or share some of your favorites as a guide. Read on for declaration of intent marriage examples to inspire your own.

Modern Declaration of Intent for Wedding

Couples who lean more modern can ditch the rigid wedding scripts and opt for a declaration of intent wedding modern style. Below is a sample declaration of intent Petersen shared that you can adapt for your own ceremony.

"Do you, [insert name], choose [insert name] to be your partner in life, to love, encourage and

respect from this day forward?" "I do."

Traditional Declaration of Intent

For couples who prefer a timeless approach, go for a traditional declaration of intent like the sample Petersen shared below.

"Do you, [insert name], take [name] to be your lawfully wedded 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 death do you part?" "I do."

Casual Declaration of Intent for Marriage

If you want your wedding ceremony to feel lighthearted and relaxed, Petersen suggests a casual declaration of intent for marriage. The example below keeps the legal meaning intact but uses fun, everyday language you, your partner and guests will enjoy.

"[Insert name], do you promise to stick by [insert name] through all of life's ups and downs, to share laughter, love and pizza on Friday nights?" "I do."

Does a Marriage Ceremony Require a Declaration of Intent?

In short: yes. "In the US, most states require the declaration of intent to make your marriage legally binding," explains Petersen. "The phrasing can vary, but some form of verbal consent is required." She adds that internationally, in Canada, the UK and Australia, declarations are also mandatory in civil ceremonies.

Because requirements differ greatly by location, Petersen and Weinberg advise couples to do their research via official government websites. "Couples should absolutely research what their specific state requires and then work with their officiant to craft a ceremony that both reflects them and results in a legally binding union," Weinberg adds.