Does anyone do the classic vows anymore?

Yes they do...but I encourage people to add a few words of their own. It usually relates to couples who are extremely nervous in front of people.

The good thing about getting married by a celebrant in 2018 is that you can create the ceremony to suit you. Whilst there are legal requirements for the vows the rest is up to you. I offer you different ideas and suggestions and I am happy to assist if you are preparing personalised vows and need some direction.

yes, by law there are certian requirements and I ensure that these are met as well as the couple saying their promise in a meaningful way. Happy to discuss.

Hi there,

These vows are manatory pursuant to s 45(2) Marriage Act 1961:

?I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)?; or words to that effect.

Following this, you may choose to add in your own personal vows from the heart. So if you want to say 'In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as we both shall live' then you certainly can. You can also add other vows such as:

“WE WILL ONLY NEED EACH OTHER

WE’LL BREATHE TOGETHER, OUR HANDS WILL NOT BE TORN TO HOLD ANOTHER, COS’ WE’RE THE SPECIAL TWO.

REPEAT AFTER ME:            Groom / Bride to say:

 (Bride/ Groom) I CHOOSE YOU ABOVE ALL OTHERS TO SHARE MY LIFE WITH.  I LOVE YOU TODAY AS I DID FROM THE START AND I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER WITH ALL OF MY HEART.

WILL YOU BE MY WIFE/ HUSBAND FOR LIFE?

BRIDE/ GROOM ANSWERS: “I WILL”

All the best.

Ashley Truscott

Civil Marriage Celebrant

Hello

I have found most couples like to choose the vows that are personal to them, while still following the legal minimum requirement.

“I call upon the people here present to witness that I, BRIDE/BRIDEGROOM, take you, BRIDEGROOOM/BRIDE, to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.” You may leave out lawful or wedded but not both; you must use one of these words.

When speaking to some couples I have found that they make it clear they do not want to say as long as we both shall live  or love honour and obey.

 Best Wishes

Julie-Anne Saw

All Memories For Life

Email: allmemoriesforlife@bigpond.com

yes, sometimes couples do choose to add those traditional lines to the legal vows they have to say. Don't often have anyone choose to love, honour and obey though......But seriously, your personal vows are all about choosing sentiments that reflect who you are and what you feel.

Hi there,

With respect to the first sentence - this is still part of the legal vows so that is certainly done in all weddings as a minimum requirement. Essentially it is the below (with some minor changes allowed with respect to the words "people", "lawful wedded" and "wife/husband":

“I call upon the people here present to witness that I, AB/CD, take you, CD/AB, to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.” You may leave out lawful or wedded but not both; you must use one of these words

With respect to the latter sentence and subsequent wording, you have as much discretion as you like here. In my experience (5 weddings to date) not many couples have gone for the classic wording, but they certainly have used it for inspiration for their own.

This can range from  "I promise to take care of you in good times and in the bad, for the rest of our lives together"  through to "I will love you until it is no longer possible, until my last breath" but as above can really be anything you like.

So in summary - the first sentence is legally required, the second is not and you will find some couples use it (or a derivation) whilst others make something up that is more appropriate to the relationship they have.

Hope that helps!

Mitch

Mitch@loveislovecelebrants.com.au