When A Man Says I Will: The Meaning of Your Wedding Vows

By Windsor Queensborough

Have you ever thought about the meaning of the vows you are about to make to each other? Or have you already made them but never really understood the power of what you said? Well it’s time to see your wedding vows as you have probably never seen them before.

In this book we examine the common wedding vows that are made before God at the sacred altar. We explore their meaning, and how a groom can carry out his promises to fulfil his bride’s needs as well as his own.

This book is based on the traditional vows exchanged during an English wedding ceremony, but the principles extend far beyond.  Even if you write your own vows the principles are the same – marriage is a lifelong commitment.

The book is aimed not only at those preparing for marriage, but also is a great guide for those who have been married for a few years or for many.

Find out:

- the real power that lies behind the words “I Will”

- what each of the individual promises mean for your daily life together

- how to overcome the challenges you will face to maintaining your vows

Look out also for the printed companion workbook.

The related title ‘When A Woman Says I Will’ is written in a similar style and layout. Some of the content is the same but much of it is written for a female reader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: QB Sound and Print
• Release date: Dec 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9780993522642

Book preview

Let us rise.

The minister’s announcement, those familiar notes from the organ, these signal the moment you have been waiting for, for weeks, months, maybe even years. You face the front with your best man at your side. You thought you were nervous before, but now that she is almost here, your stomach is doing somersaults.

Don’t look back; just wait until she gets here. A moment longer... a moment longer... wait... here she is! Wow! She looks stunning.

You thought you were going to be cool, calm, and collected, but a big grin breaks out all over your face.

Welcome to... our first hymn will be... the reading from... Don’t ask me what happened in the blanks, it’s all a blur.

Dearly beloved, we are... Ok here we go. Concentrate. Concentrate!! Remember your lines. What hand is it?

" or else hereafter, and forever, hold his peace... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... how long is he going to wait?!

I require and charge you both... repeat after me, I do solemnly declare... lawful impediment...

Wilt thou have this woman to be thy lawful wedded wife...

I will.

Why This Subject?

The subject of marriage is one that is dear to my heart, but one that also causes me a certain amount of sadness. The dearness comes from my experience of over thirty years at the time of publishing with the same woman, my wife Sharon who I love dearly. I count myself privileged that she should also love me in the way that she does, and put up with me as she does! She has given me three wonderful children, and much more besides. I love her more than I did when we both said, ‘I will’. Why? Because I know her better than I did back then. Not only do I love her, but I love to tell her that I love her, although I’m sure I don’t tell her often enough. I must admit though that when I do, even after all these years, her first reaction is often, What are you after???

The sadness comes from seeing so many failed marriages around me, both friends and family, and the distinct feeling that things have been getting worse not better. Extra sadness is added when those failures take place amongst Christians. I remember many years ago when I acted as Master of Ceremonies at wedding receptions I would often make the distinction between marriages on the rocks compared to marriage on the Rock, attempting to highlight the success of Christian marriages. Now I am no longer that presumptuous. Although I still hold to the principle, the reality is that Christian marriages are failing at an alarming rate. It is an awful feeling for me to meet up with someone who I haven’t seen in a long time who I knew to be married, and be afraid to ask, How is your other half? Often I don’t ask because I fear the answer.

These two powerful yet distinct experiences have inspired me to write these words. I cannot stand by and do nothing. I have got to tell somebody that marriage is a wonderful gift from God, and that it still works. I have got to reach somebody who is experiencing mounting challenges and offer whatever practical, God-given encouragement I can. I believe that the same God who has given me this task has also given me something to say.

So is this just another sermon about marriage? There may be thousands of people who have said it before me, and others will come who will say it after me, and better than me. Even so I will still endeavour to use what I have to hopefully help and inspire somebody else. I am writing primarily to those who are preparing for marriage, but I believe there is something here for those who are already married.

Please understand that I don’t write from a lofty position of unmitigated success. At times I have made mistakes. I have said what shouldn’t have been said, reacted in a way I shouldn’t have reacted, and neglected what should not have been neglected.  I have faced times of doubt and dismay. But by the grace of God I have also had tremendous success, with moments of joy, ecstasy and deep contentment. We have had to face challenges of varying