By Dr. Janine H. Burns, Official 631-427-2897
WEDDING VOWS:
Wedding Vows are a legal statement that affirms your desire to take a particular person as your spouse. Your Wedding Official (Rev. Janine) presents them and you are required to give a verbal response to them. Your Official will gladly provide vows and customize them for you, or she will coach you in creating your own vows.
SUGGESTED WAYS OF GIVING YOUR VOWS:
Most often, the vows are given by repeating after the Official. She will use short phrases to make it comfortable
for the one repeating their vows.
Vows can be memorized then quietly spoken to your fianc.
Vows can be read from a beautifully decorated (small) piece
of paper.
Combine a Responsive vow with any of the other kind of vow.
TYPES OF WEDDING VOWS:
PERSONAL VOWS: Each of you writes your own statement of vows. Your Official can easily assist you in this process. These vows are usually different from one another.
TRADITIONAL VOWS: An example of these time honored vows is: "I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband, and I pledge to be loving and faithful, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do we part."
CONTEMPORARY VOWS: These vows use contemporary language such as: "I promise to honor and tenderly care for you, to cherish and encourage your fulfillment as an individual through all the changes of our lives."
RESPONSIVE VOWS: With these vows, the Official makes a statement of your intention asking if you agree with it. You then respond by saying either: I do; I will or I promise.
FROM THE HEART VOWS: These vows are unplanned and unrehearsed. You declare your intentions and give your vows based upon your feelings in the moment
SPIRITUAL VOWS: The essence of these vows is sacred in nature since they have a spiritual reference. An example is: "I promise to encourage and support you in our journey through life. I love you with an everlasting love. I accept that our relationship is Divinely Guided."
TIPS ON WRITING YOUR VOWS:
Begin by writing down your thoughts and feelings about the commitment you are making in marriage. What are you promising? What is your intention? Think about dedication, loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness and what they mean to you. Write down whatever thoughts and phrases come to your mind. Don't censor anything at this point and take your time in this process. Next review your ideas and highlight those most important to you. Begin to combine them with one of the following phrases: "I Vow," "I pledge," I promise," or "I commit." How do they sound? How do they feel when you say them? The process is complete when you say your vows and they flow and feel just right.