Another time, a pilot promised not to perform another "loop the loop" with his wife in the cockpit.
During his time as a minister, Mr Stevens married up to 40 couples a year at the Western Eden Union Parish in Dunedin.
"They were probably more traditional then than they are today. Most of the weddings I take today are not in church. They're very free weddings. I do them on the beach, in parks, in private homes."
The 85-year-old said the change in attitudes reflected the different vows.
"The main thing is to have the vows real so they're not saying things they don't believe in."
Hamilton marriage celebrant Kay Gregory said couples still legally had to say: "I take you to be my legal husband/wife."
"But very few follow the traditional vows, which I think is quite nice because they are thinking more outside the square."
She said humour was often injected into matrimonial vows such as the bride promising to let her husband go fishing.
Betrothed put hearts on line
Rachael Carder and Callum Dodunski decided to write their own wedding vows because repeating what other people said did not appeal.
The Auckland couple, both 38, marry on October 13 at a Parnell restaurant and will surprise each other with their vows, though Miss Carder said hers were not humorous or gushy, but heartfelt.
"I just have some things I genuinely want to say to him and so I've tried to put them down. I've said I'll always be open and honest and truthful, those types of words."
The adidas supply chain manager Googled other examples of vows and said it took her an afternoon to get the words right.
"It was nerve-racking to start with. What if his is better than mine? Or what if they ... sound really stink?"
Mr Dodunski's first wedding involved traditional vows in an Anglican church. "So for me it's quite different."
The sales manager and father of three has left humour out of his modern vows and is saving it instead for the reception speeches.
Mr Dodunski said talking about his fiancee with their marriage celebrant helped him come up with ideas.
"Being the average Kiwi male, it was a bit difficult to get that emotive response going but it was certainly very helpful to say that and outline the key points."
Promises, now and then
Traditional Catholic wedding vow:
"I, Donald, take you, Deidre, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part."
Modern vow:
"You are my best friend, my true love and 'Georgy Girl'. I promise to keep supporting the local florist forever!"
"I love you because you love to cook and you don't mind cleaning up."
