The origin of 'For Richer, For Poorer' wedding vows after Guardian Angel and Esther Musila omitted it on their vows

Esther Musila has opened up about a unique detail from her wedding vows with gospel artist Guardian Angel.

The couple, whose relationship has often drawn public attention, revealed that they intentionally omitted the traditional phrase “...for poorer” from their vows. Instead, Esther explained that their promises were firmly rooted in positivity, faith and intentional confession.

Taking to Instagram, Esther shared that their vows were deliberately crafted to reflect what they believe and speak over their marriage.

“For better, for richer in health! Our vows had no ‘for richer for poorer’, because we do not confess that!! It is: For richer. For health. For Better,” she wrote.

The Origin of the vows

The familiar wedding vow phrase “for richer, for poorer” is one many couples recite without much thought, yet its roots stretch back centuries and are deeply tied to history, faith and society.

The phrase originates from the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, a Christian liturgical text compiled by the Church of England during the English Reformation.

It formed part of the traditional marriage vows that also included “for better, for worse” and “in sickness and in health,” designed to define marriage as a lifelong covenant rather than a fleeting emotional commitment.

At the time the vows were written, marriage was as much an economic and social institution as it was a romantic one. Wealth in the 16th century was fragile, often affected by illness, famine, war or the loss of land.

By including “for richer, for poorer,” couples publicly pledged to remain united regardless of financial highs or lows, acknowledging that hardship was not just possible but likely.

The wording also reflected Christian teachings on sacrifice, perseverance and unconditional love. Marriage was presented as a solemn promise made before God, meant to withstand both prosperity and poverty.

As the British Empire expanded, the Book of Common Prayer traveled with missionaries and colonial administrations across the world.

The marriage vows, including “for richer, for poorer,” became widely adopted in churches throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Over time, the phrase embedded itself into global wedding culture, even beyond strictly religious ceremonies.

ALSO READ: Guardian Angel and Esther Musila: 5 Years of Love

In modern times, the meaning of marriage and wealth has evolved. Financial independence, changing gender roles and contemporary faith perspectives have led many couples to personalize their vows.

Some retain the phrase as a symbol of realism and commitment, while others choose to omit it in favor of declarations centered on abundance, growth or shared purpose.

Today, the debate over “for richer, for poorer” highlights a broader cultural shift, from traditional, institution-driven marriage to unions shaped by personal belief and intention.

While its origins lie in 16th-century Christian liturgy, the phrase continues to spark conversation about love, faith and the promises couples choose to make as they begin their lives together.

Esther and Guardian's Anniversary

Supporters praised Esther and Guardian Angel for choosing words that align with their beliefs, noting that confession and mindset play a powerful role in shaping life and marriage.

In another post, Musila insisted that;

"Our real enemy is not other people’s lives but poverty that steals our dreams and our future; it is time to stop focusing on who married who, how old they are, what they sing, or where they bought land, and move away from the endless oohs and eehs, choosing unity, care, and support over judgment. My only resolution is to live so loudly that the "Prophets of Doom" have to cover their ears."