what are vows in a wedding

Wedding vows are the promises two people make to each other during a wedding ceremony. They are a public declaration of ones love and commitment to the other person. The bride and groom exchange their promises to one another with their closest loved ones present as witnesses. Vows can look different across religions, as well as from couple to couple. They can be romantic, emotional, or humorous, depending on the couple's style and the structure of the ceremony, as determined by the officiant. Traditionally, the vows occur after the officiant’s sermon or any religious readings chosen by the couple. The exchange of vows is usually followed by the exchange of rings, the pronouncement of marriage, and the kiss. In a Jewish ceremony, there is no exchange of vows; instead, the groom puts the ring on his partner’s finger and utters the words, “you are consecrated to me with this ring according…” . Couples can choose to write their own vows or use traditional vows.