Wedding Vows Examples: 20 Original Vows (Traditional, Short and Funny)

Last updated October 21, 2026 by the Marriage Bliss Editorial Team.

The best wedding vows are short, sincere and specific to the two of you. They don’t need to rhyme or quote a poem. A few promises you actually mean, a detail only you would know and a line that says why you’re marrying this person will move the room more than polished language. Most couples find that one to two minutes each is about right.

Here’s a simple structure for writing your own, followed by 20 original wedding vow examples: traditional, modern, short, funny, and for second marriages and vow renewals. Use them as inspiration, not copy-paste. They’re written in a generic voice, so adapt names and details.

At a glance

• Length: about 150 to 250 words, or one to two minutes.
• Structure: why you love them + promises + a closing line.
• Be specific: a real memory beats general statements.
• Check requirements: if you have a religious or legal ceremony, ask your officiant what’s required.

A simple structure for vows

1. Address your partner. “[Name], from the moment we met…”
2. Say what you love. One or two specific qualities or moments.
3. Make promises. Three to five, realistic and personal.
4. Close with a line you’ll remember. “I choose you, today and every day.”

Traditional-style vows (1–5)

1. I, [name], take you, [name], to be my partner in life. I promise to love you, honor you, respect you and stand by you through every season of our lives.
2. I choose you today and always. I promise to be faithful, to be patient and to cherish you in sickness and in health, in joy and in hardship.
3. [Name], I give you my heart, my loyalty and my love. I will walk beside you, support your dreams and care for you all the days of my life.
4. I promise to be honest with you, to listen to you and to forgive you. I will love you as you are and as you become.
5. With this ring, I promise to be your partner, your friend and your home, for as long as we both shall live.

Modern and personal vows (6–10)

6. [Name], you make me braver, kinder and happier. I promise to make you laugh when you’re stressed, to cook when you’re tired and to always tell you the truth, even when it’s hard.
7. I promise to keep growing with you. I’ll listen more than I talk, say sorry when I’m wrong and celebrate every win with you, big or small.
8. I promise to be your biggest fan, your safe place and your teammate. I’ll hold your hand in the good moments and the hard ones.
9. You are my best friend and my favorite person. I promise to keep choosing you, in the ordinary days as much as the big ones.
10. I promise to share my life with you: the adventures, the quiet nights, the messes and the laughter. Wherever we go, I want to go there with you.

Short vows (11–14)

11. I choose you. I will love you, laugh with you and stand by you, always.
12. You are my person. I promise to be yours, today and every day.
13. I promise to love you with all that I am and to keep learning how.
14. With you, I’m home. I vow to be your partner, in all things.

Funny vows (15–17)

15. I promise to love you, to hold you, and to pretend I didn’t hear you snore. I promise to share the covers, most of the time.
16. I vow to always let you pick the movie, as long as I get to pick the restaurant. I promise to love you even when you’re hangry, and when I am.
17. I promise to laugh at your jokes, even the bad ones, and to never, ever, ask you to fix the Wi-Fi while you’re sleeping.

Second marriage and vow renewal (18–20)

18. I’ve learned what love is, and what it takes. I promise to honor our past, embrace our family and build a future with you.
19. After all these years, I’d still choose you. I promise to keep showing up, to keep laughing and to keep falling for you.
20. We’ve weathered storms and celebrated joys. I renew my promise to love you, to grow with you and to be by your side for all the years ahead.

For more on renewals, see vow renewal ideas. For second weddings, see second wedding etiquette.

Tips for writing your own vows

• Start early. Give yourself time to draft and revise.
• Write like you speak. Simple language is easier to say.
• Use a specific memory. The first date, a hard time, a funny habit.
• Keep promises realistic. “I promise to listen” is better than “I promise to never argue.”
• Agree on length and tone with your partner, so you match.
• Practice out loud, and bring a printed copy.
• Don’t include inside jokes only you two understand, unless you explain them.
• Avoid jokes about exes, past relationships or embarrassing stories.

For more inspiration, see our love letter examples, things your husband needs to hear and what to write in a wedding card. And as you prepare for marriage, our list of things to discuss before marriage and marriage advice for newlyweds may help.

When it’s a bigger problem

Nerves are normal. But if you have serious doubts about the marriage, feel pressured or afraid of your partner, talk to someone you trust or a counselor before the wedding. If you ever feel unsafe in a relationship, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. If you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, call or text 988. This article is general information, not legal, religious or professional advice.

Want more on this topic? See our guide to engagement, newlyweds and in-laws.

Frequently asked questions

How long should wedding vows be?

About one to two minutes, or 150 to 250 words, is a good length for each partner.

What should I include in my wedding vows?

Say what you love about your partner, make a few sincere promises and end with a memorable line. Add a personal detail.

Can I use examples for my wedding vows?

Yes, as inspiration. Adapt the wording and add your own details so the vows sound like you.