Wedding Ceremonies: The Question of Intent

A wedding is not just a promise you make to each other. Your wedding is also a commitment you make to your friends and relatives and to society. We ask, "What promise will you make to your relatives and to the community?" Here are examples of this part of the service.

Protestant

The Celebrant says to the woman

__________, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

The Woman answers

I will.

The Celebrant says to the man

__________, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

The Man answers

I will.

The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

People

We will.

Book of Common Prayer

Roman Catholic

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

Rite of Marriage

Jewish

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

Rabbi's Manual

Contemporary

The officiant asks the groom

__________, Do you come before this gathering of friends and family to proclaim your love and devotion for __________? Do you promise to affirm her, respect her, and care for her during times of joy and hardship? Do you commit yourself to share your feelings of happiness and sadness? Do you pledge to remain faithful to her?

The groom answers

I do.

The officiant asks the bride

__________, Do you come before this gathering of friends and family to proclaim your love devotion for __________? Do you promise to affirm him, respect him, and care for him during times of joy and hardship? Do you commit yourself to share your feelings of happiness and sadness? Do you pledge to remain faithful to him?

The bride answers

I do.

Roger Fritts

The officiant says to the bride: __________, are you ready for marriage to __________?

Bride: I am.

The officiant says to the groom: __________, are you ready for marriage to __________?

Groom: I am.

Officiant: What is the bride's witness to these vows?

The witness gives his or her name in reply.

Officiant: Who is the groom's witness to these vows?

The witness gives his or her name in reply.

David Hostetter

The officiant addressing the bride:

__________, will you take this man to be your husband, to live together according to the best ethical principles? Will you love him, comfort him in pain and in sorrow? Will you share joy with him when he is happy and respect his dignity as a man, from this day forward, forsaking all others?

The officiant addressing the groom:

__________, will you take this woman to be your wife, to live together according to the best ethical principles? Will you love her, comfort her in pain and in sorrow? Will you share joy with her when she is happy and respect her dignity as a woman, from this day forward, forsaking all others?

Paul E. Killinger

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We welcome submissions of your original "Questions of Intent" for wedding services. For possible consideration for inclusion on this page, send your E-Mail to:rfritts@his.com

URL: http//www.his.com/~rfritts

Revised - June 3, 1996