:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/declaration-of-intent-facebook-dv-image-6-23-6ed421df0ead4474aaea07f5934c2d26.jpg?ssl=1 "Declaration of Intent vs. Weddings Vows: Key Differences to Know")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/declaration-of-intent-recirc-dv-image-6-23-12cd6d778a75435299b2c2f79b23553b.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- The declaration of intent is a legally significant statement where you confirm your free will to marry your partner.
- Wedding vows are personal promises about how you’ll uphold your commitment, while the declaration of intent is more formal.
- Some states require the declaration of intent for legal purposes, so check your local marriage laws before your ceremony.
The vow exchange is arguably one of the most important moments of a wedding ceremony. During it, you and your partner will make promises to each other—from how you plan to maintain your commitment to how you see yourselves supporting one another through the challenges you’ll face as individuals and a duo. However, there’s also another key part of this occasion that’s just as significant: the declaration of intent. Yet, even though this statement is a standard part of most wedding ceremonies, you may be unfamiliar with what it is and why it’s so crucial.
While the vow exchange and declaration of intent may seem synonymous, they’re actually a bit different from each other. Even though both of these statements express your intent to marry and commit to your partner, there are a few key distinctions between the two, including the fact that, in some states, one of these is legally required to be said at your nuptials. As a result, you may wonder: What actually is a declaration of intent, and how does it differ from sharing your vows?
Below, an expert breaks down what to know about a declaration of intent at a wedding ceremony. Read on for everything you need to know.
What Is a Declaration of Intent?
A declaration of intent is a couple’s statement affirming their desire to get married. During this part of a wedding ceremony, an officiant will ask each person if they’ll take their partner as their spouse. In response, both individuals will have to confirm with the phrase “I do” or “I will.” This is the verbal equivalent of signing a marriage license, says Katelyn Peterson, a speechwriter and the founder of Wedding Words. “The goal of the declaration of intent is to communicate that you are entering into this commitment of your own free will,” she adds. In many states, this verbal agreement is required by law.
Photo by Valorie Darling Collective
Declaration of Intent vs. Wedding Vows: Key Differences to Know
Since you’re committing to your partner through your vow exchange, you may wonder why you also need to recite a declaration of intent. Ahead, Peterson helps explain the key differences between both statements.
What Is the Purpose of a Declaration of Intent at a Wedding?
“When you make a vow, you are making a promise,” Peterson says. “The goal of your vows is to communicate how you envision upholding your commitment in marriage.” On the flip side, the declaration of intent establishes that you’re making a vow of your own free will. Thus, the purpose of each remark is different: The declaration states you’re willingly entering a marriage, while the vows express how you will put your commitment into practice.
How Is a Declaration of Intent Phrased?
Unlike your vows, Peterson shares that the declaration of intent “has less room for creative freedom and flowery words.” In general, the standard script for a declaration of intent, which is read by your officiant, often looks like:
Do you [name], take this [woman/man/person] to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife/spouse], to live together in matrimony, to love [her/him/them], comfort [her/him/them], honor and keep [her/him/them], in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?
The exact script will vary based on whether you’re having a religious ceremony or not. If you’re having a non-religious wedding, you may be able to ask your officiant if you can swap the “sickness and health, richer or poorer” lines with something that better reflects your values, Peterson says.
On the other hand, vows can be completely personalized to express your words and are said during the ceremony by you. “While I have recommendations for what to include and not include in vows, as well as formats to follow, custom written vows are just that: completely custom,” Peterson says. “This means the vows can be as unique as the couple and truly reflect their love story.”
Is a Declaration of Intent Legally Required at a Wedding?
It depends. In some states, the marriage license process may require it. For example, couples in North Carolina must have two witnesses—in addition to their officiant—sign their license after the ceremony. This is to ensure that at least two people saw the couple verbally declare their intentions to marry. However, in other states, the declaration of intent is simply a formality rather than a legal requirement.
Be sure to check your state’s requirements regarding declarations of intent before tying the knot. This applies to those having a destination wedding, too. Since you’re still required to complete paperwork for a marriage license in the place in which you reside, the laws that dictate your state will determine if you need to recite a declaration of intent.
