Traditional formula in Hebrew transliteration and English translation:

Harei at m’kudeshet li b’tabat zo k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael / Harei atah m’kudash li b’tabat zo k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael

Traditional English: Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws (or customs) of Moses and [the people] Israel.

Alternative Options

With this ring, I join my life with yours in loving kindness, compassion and faithfulness.

Ani l’dodi v’dodi li “I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine.” Song of Songs 6:3

“I have found the one my heart loves.” ~ Song of Songs 3:4

You are my beloved and you are my friend.

Excerpted from Hosea 2:21-22:

V’erastich Li l’olam. V’erastich Li b’tzedek, u’v-mishpat, u’v-chesed,

u’v-rachamim. V’erastich Li beh-emunah

I will betroth you to me forever.

I will betroth you to me with righteousness and with justice,

with goodness and with compassion.

I will betroth you to me in truth;

I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” ~ Song of Songs 8:7

Anniversary Prayer by Rabbi Naomi Levy:

Marriage is a fragile thing.

Help us God, to treat it with reverence day after day, year after year.

When we disagree, teach us to do so with compassion.

When we hurt each other, teach us to ask for forgiveness.

When we are tempted by desire, teach us loyalty.

When the stresses of life overwhelm us, teach us to willingly share responsibilities.

When our romance fades, show us the way to passion.

When we fall into a rut, remind us how truly blessed we are.

Thank you, God, for the love we share and for the life we have created together.

Bless us, God, with joy, and love, and with length of years, beneath your sheltering presence.

Amen.

Adapted from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s wedding vows:

We affirm our commitment to each other as husband and wife. Our lives are now forever intertwined. We will respect each other’s uniqueness and help one another grow to our fullest potential. We will celebrate all of the passages of life together with joy and reverence. In times of happiness, we will cherish each other and in times of trouble, we will protect each other.

We understand that a good marriage must be created: It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day, having a mutual sense of values and common objectives, standing together facing the world, and doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor, having the capacity to forgive and forget, giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow, and finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

If you have found another option, please let Rabbi Sarah know and she’ll add it to this page!