The American Lutheran Church branched out from the original Lutheran Church, a Protestant denomination founded by Martin Luther after the Reformation in the 16th century. There are many types of Lutheran churches in America, some favoring formal, traditional worship services, others a more relaxed, contemporary style, but all adhering to the Protestant religious teachings of Martin Luther. A Lutheran wedding ceremony may be formal or informal. This is one traditionally accepted wedding vow:

    "I take you, _____________________, to be my husband / wife from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us."