Make Your Gay Wedding Vows Your Own

Today, more than ever, gay and lesbian couples are getting married. A man and a man or a woman and a woman joining in matrimony is a step in the right direction away from age-old customs. However, couples have a choice in the type of wedding vows they use in their ceremonies.

Traditional Wedding Vows

The history of wedding vows dates back almost a half century and some types, like the traditional ones we see and hear in the movies and on TV, are steeped in tradition. You’re probably familiar with the words:

I,____, take thee,_____, to be my wedded Wife/Husband, 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, till death us do part.

Although this the most recognizable wedding vow, there are others to choose from. For a non-denominational variety, try:

This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your (husband/wife). With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.

Or:

This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am.

Or how about:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you.

You can find more at the About.com Weddings site. Traditional vows are great, but do you want to break the mold?

Personalized Wedding Vows

Wedding customs and traditions date back to Roman times, but your vow of commitment to your partner can be your own. Writing vows are an essential part of wedding and ceremony planning. Choosing a personalized set of vows takes more time, but there’s the satisfaction of knowing the words are straight from the heart. Customize and personalize your wedding vows in a way that fits you, your partner and your relationship.

The way that you express your love can be as unique as you are. The words will etch in your memory forever, but you can also cement them on paper. Give your partner a gift of your vows in a letter or in special type face on a memento that he or she can keep.

Denominational Wedding Vows

Even though there are a number of gay-friendly groups in most faiths, not all churches sanction gay marriage in their houses of worship. As it may, there are some churches that perform gay weddings and gay and lesbian couples that prefer to share vows within their faith. Gayweddingvalues.com publishes an excellent list of vows for a variety of faiths and denominations.