- In Hong Kong, the vows at a wedding are governed by section 21 of the Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 181): the groom and bride declare to each other in a prescribed form.
- The groom and bride can each make their declaration in Chinese or in English.
- Religious wedding vows include Catholic and Christian versions, led by a priest or a pastor respectively.
- Memorising and practising your vows beforehand greatly reduces the chance of mistakes at the wedding.
Wedding vows are like a precious gift. At the solemn moment of the ceremony, they express your commitment and love, and mark the start of a new chapter of life together.
This article gathers Chinese and Western examples and versions of wedding vows for couples planning their wedding, to use as a reference and to express sincere feeling.
The legal meaning of wedding vows: how the groom and bride declare
Wedding vows are more than a heartfelt expression. They also have legal significance. In Hong Kong, the vows at a wedding are governed by section 21 of the Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 181), which makes them very important.
The process usually begins with a formal reading by an official, such as the Registrar or the marriage officiant. The groom and bride then declare to each other in the prescribed form.
The groom can choose to make his declaration in Chinese or English, using the prescribed wording to state his commitment to the bride. The bride then follows with a similar form of vow:
| Groom | Bride | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese declaration | “I call upon everyone present to witness that I, [groom's name], take you, [bride's name], to be my lawful wife.” | “I call upon everyone present to witness that I, [bride's name], take you, [groom's name], to be my lawful husband.” |
| English declaration | “I call upon all persons here present to witness that I, [name of the male party], do take thee, [name of the female party], to be my lawful wedded wife.” | “I call upon all persons here present to witness that I, [name of the female party], do take thee, [name of the male party], to be my lawful wedded husband.” |
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Chinese and Western wedding vow examples, with English versions
Whether the ceremony is Chinese or Western, the vows a couple exchange are a shared promise and hope for the future, and they play an essential part.
Version one: a heartfelt promise
The groom or bride says:
- “With our family and friends as witnesses, I, (name of groom/bride), solemnly promise to take you, (name of bride/groom), as my lawful wife/husband.”
- “From this day on, in joy or in sorrow, I will share your happiness and your grief. I will support you in health and in sickness, grow with you in love, and remain faithful to you with all my heart, for ever.”
Version two: a lasting pledge
The groom or bride declares:
- “Dear witnesses, please hear my vow. I, (name of groom/bride), promise here to take you, (name of bride/groom), as my lawful spouse.”
- “From now on, through fair weather and foul, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love you and cherish you until death parts us. I promise that I will always be faithful to you.”
English version of the vows
In a Western-style ceremony, the groom or bride may choose the following English version: “I (Groom’s/Bride’s Name) take thee (Bride’s/Groom’s Name) 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, honor, and cherish, until death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and there to I plight thee my troth.”
More articles on improving your marriage:
- Tips for couples to communicate when you do not want to divorce or break up
- How couples can keep their marriage strong and prevent divorce
- The best ways to nurture a marriage in Hong Kong
Religious wedding vows: Catholic and Christian examples
Religious wedding vows are rooted in faith and stand for the purity and permanence of the couple's bond. The couple make their promises to each other in a sacred setting.
In a Catholic wedding, the couple begin the ceremony in church, led by a priest and with God as their witness.
After confirming that the couple are willing to be married, they read their vows to seal the promise in their hearts:
- “I, (baptismal name and full name of groom/bride), promise before God and his Church to freely take you, (baptismal name and full name of bride/groom), as my lawful spouse.”
- “From this day forward, in good times and bad, in wealth or poverty, in health or illness, in success or setback, I will support you and cherish you, share your joys and hardships, and build a happy family with you, until the end of our lives.”
- “I swear to God and promise you that I will always be faithful to you.”
Christian wedding vows
In a Christian wedding, the groom and bride are led by a pastor through the marriage questions, and then exchange vows to seal their sacred covenant.
Christian wedding vows, first version:
- “Before God and all the witnesses here, I, (full name of groom/bride), freely take you, (full name of bride/groom), to be my spouse.”
- “From this moment and for ever, in good times and bad days, in wealth or poverty, in health or hardship, in joy or sorrow, I will always love you and cherish you, and be faithful to you, to the end of time.”
Christian wedding vows, second version:
- “I, (name of groom/bride), choose you, (full name of bride/groom), as my partner, and make my promise to you.”
- “I will be faithful to you, be proud of you, respect you, trust you, help you and care for you. I will share my life with you, and I will forgive you, as we ourselves are forgiven.”
- “Together we will learn and grow, to know each other, the world and our God. We will go through storms and sunshine together, for ever.”
Choosing your vows, and why it matters
Choosing your wedding vows is a careful and thoughtful process.
Do not choose in haste. Pick the vows that best express what matters to you and your partner, and read them with complete sincerity, so that they move everyone present, and most of all each other.
Writing a vow that touches the heart can make your wedding even more memorable.
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Tips for writing your own wedding vows
To write personal wedding vows, first reflect on the moments you have shared, then express your love and commitment, praise your partner, and finally share your dreams together.
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Remember your journey together
Look back on the days you have spent together, pick the most touching moments, and thank your partner sincerely for being by your side. These shared memories are the foundation of your love story and belong in your vows.
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Express your love and faithfulness
Use your most sincere words to tell your partner clearly of your love and firm commitment. Say how you will support them, and that you will keep your vows however the future changes, and go through every stage of life together.
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Praise what makes your partner unique
Do not forget to mention what makes your partner special. This is a perfect moment to say aloud, in front of family and friends, what you value in the person you love and the place they hold in your heart.
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Plan the future together
Share your dreams and plans for the future with everyone, and say that you are ready to work towards your shared goals in life together.
On this special day, keep your vows sincere and personal, so that they become one of the most memorable moments of the wedding.
Express your feelings and your serious attitude to marriage in your own way, so that everyone can feel your sincerity.
Wedding tips
- It is natural to feel nervous in front of family and friends. To avoid forgetting your vows out of nerves, memorise and practise them beforehand, which greatly reduces the chance of mistakes.
- On the wedding day, relax and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. The vows are one part of the whole ceremony and mark the couple's shared beginning.
How can you make your marriage happier and prevent divorce?
Unhappiness in a marriage is sometimes down to both sides. To make your marriage happier, you can try the following:
- Communicate more: keep talking openly and honestly with your partner, share your feelings, thoughts and needs, understand theirs, and look for ways to solve problems together.
- Support each other: support your partner when they are in difficulty and congratulate them on their achievements. This builds trust and closeness.
- Create good memories together: spend good time with your partner and build shared memories. You can plan trips, join activities or hold family gatherings.
- Keep respect and gratitude: respect your partner’s views and choices, and show thanks for what they do. This helps protect each other’s dignity and self-esteem.
- Keep a balanced rhythm of life: arrange work and life sensibly so that you both have enough time for each other. Proper rest and relaxation also matter for keeping a marriage healthy.
- Build romance and closeness: hold regular dates or create romantic moments to bring you closer. You can give gifts, write love letters or plan a special dinner.
- Seek professional help: if you are struggling to solve your marriage problems, consider asking a psychotherapist, marriage counsellor or legal professional for help.
We hope these suggestions help couples build a happier, better life in marriage.
Things change, and so do people.
If the person you married can no longer live with you, or you are facing domestic violence that you feel you cannot handle, Sun Mood Divorce Consultancy can help you change your situation.
We handle each case with care, and we move on to a new life with you.
At this difficult time, we want to give our clients the right, high-quality divorce consultation and service, so that they can resolve these difficult situations as quickly as possible and return to normal life.
We offer professional divorce consultation and can help you with the fastest way to apply for divorce. We have handled many divorce cases and have wide experience in the following areas:
- Cross-border divorce
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More tips on the divorce procedure:
- How do I apply for a divorce?
- Divorce mediation in Hong Kong: the process and its benefits
- Spot the common mistakes in the divorce process, and do not let emotion take over
- Domestic violence in Hong Kong: definition, effects and where to get help
- What to know about affairs and infidelity in divorce in Hong Kong
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