Tips for the Pledge in Your Christian Wedding Ceremony

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During the Pledge or "Betrothal" the couple declares to the gathered guests and witnesses that they have come of their own free will to be married. This is distinct from the wedding vows in which the couple declares their promises directly to each other.

Here are samples of the Pledge. You may use them just as they are, or you may wish to modify them and create your own together with the minister performing your ceremony.

Sample Pledge #1

____ and ____, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners in God. The quality of your marriage will reflect what you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind, and tender relationship. We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.

____, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage? Groom: Yes, I do.
____, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage? Bride: Yes, I do.

Sample Pledge #2

____, will you have ____ to be your (wife/husband), to live together as friend and mate? Will you love (her/him) as a person, respect (her/him) as an equal, sharing joy as well as sorrow, triumph as well as defeat, and keep (her/him) beside you as long as you both shall live?

Sample Pledge #3

____, do you take ____ to be your wedded (wife/husband), and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow that you will do everything in your power to make your love for (her/him) a growing part of your life? Will you continue to strengthen it from day to day and week to week with your best resources? Will you stand by (her/him) in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others and keep yourself to (her/him) alone as long as you both shall live?

Sample Pledge #4

____, will you have ____ to be your wedded (wife/husband), to live together in the covenant of faith, hope, and love according to the intention of God for your lives together in Jesus Christ? Will you listen to (her/him) innermost thoughts, be considerate and tender in your care of (her/him), and stand by (her/him) faithfully in sickness and in health, and, preferring (her/him) above all others, accept full responsibility for (her/his) every necessity for as long as you both shall live?

  • To gain a deeper understanding of your Christian wedding ceremony and to make your special day even more meaningful, you may want to spend some time learning the biblical significance of today's Christian wedding traditions.
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Your Citation
Fairchild, Mary. "Tips for the Pledge in Your Christian Wedding Ceremony." Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/pledge-or-betrothal-700417. Fairchild, Mary. (2023, April 5). Tips for the Pledge in Your Christian Wedding Ceremony. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/pledge-or-betrothal-700417 Fairchild, Mary. "Tips for the Pledge in Your Christian Wedding Ceremony." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/pledge-or-betrothal-700417 (accessed March 28, 2024).