Your wedding ceremony should be a reflection of the unique love you and your partner share. Although it’s great to incorporate some of the latest wedding trends into your special day, you’ll also want to include some personal touches that demonstrate your distinct love. A great way to personalize your wedding ceremony is to use a reading that holds a deep meaning for you and your fiancé. Whether you’re holding a religious or secular ceremony, spend some extra time selecting a reading that resonates with the two of you and pays tribute to your rare love.
Bible Wedding Readings
If you’re a religious couple, you have an obvious yet fruitful resource available to help you select a wedding reading — the Bible! If you’re getting married in a church, your officiant will likely offer some Bible verses that are commonly read at weddings. If none of those suggestions are right for you, consider one of the following heartfelt Bible readings.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
You’ve probably heard this passage at weddings before — and for good reason. This wholesome description of the qualities of love by First Corinthians will allow you and your partner to reflect on the sanctity of the union you’re about to enter. This powerful passage reads, in part, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud.” Plus, this reading is short and skips straight to the point if you’re trying to keep your ceremony brief.
Ephesians 5: 21-33
This conventional passage taken from the book of Ephesians explains the relationship between a husband and wife, as God sees it. It reads, in part, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This reading will work especially well if you’re planning a traditional service and want to incorporate God’s love into your reading.
Colossians 3: 12-17
Colossians 3 offers advice to married couples, encouraging them to practice kindness, patience, and forgiveness. The thought-provoking passage goes on to read, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” This compassionate passage will allow you and your spouse to reflect on the honor and respect you share.
Meaningful Song Lyrics
Song lyrics can serve as popular and entertaining readings for your wedding ceremony. Chances are you already have a strong list of contenders when it comes to songs to use for your first dance and wedding reception — so, why not scour the list for meaningful lyrics that could double as a wedding reading? Sit down with your fiancé and discuss what songs represent your love, speak to your history, and honor your future. You’ll likely find yourself with an endless list of songs to choose in a variety of genres — from R&B to reggae, you’ll be surprised how many songs contain sappy love lyrics. If you’re having trouble getting the wheels turning, here are a few song ideas worth considering.
“Ain’t That Love,” Ray Charles
Ray Charles’ “Ain’t That Love” does an excellent job of highlighting the joy of love. Lyrics include, “Now when you walk, I wanna walk with you, when you talk, wanna talk some too. Now ain’t that love. Oh, ain’t that love that I feel. In my heart for you.” If R&B is your music preference, this song will bring a contagious air of soulful romance to your ceremony.
“Marry You,” Bruno Mars
If pop music is more your genre, and you want to add a modern touch to your ceremony, turn to Bruno Mars. His popular song “Marry You” includes the lyrics: “Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you. Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice. Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you.” This song offers an upbeat tone and will bring an air of spontaneity and passion to your wedding ceremony. If you’re hosting a wedding that strays from tradition, this song is a great choice for you!
“Thank You,” Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin might not be the first artist you think of when you’re planning your wedding. However, the sentimental lyrics of the band’s beloved song “Thank You” might be just what you’ve been looking for. Lyrics include: “If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there would still be you and me.”
Love-Themed Literature
Using heartfelt literature in your wedding doesn’t need to be restricted to blockquotes on wedding memorabilia or writing profound wedding vows. Whether you’re an avid reader or a lover of poetry, your favorite passages can easily be incorporated into your big day as a wedding reading. So, pull your favorite books off of the shelf and start looking for meaningful words. Whether you and your partner bonded over a favorite book or a particular poem, reading your favorite literature passage will add a memorable and personal touch to your wedding ceremony. Browse the following love-themed passages to spark some inspiration.
“To Be One With Each Other,” George Eliot
George Eliot’s “To Be One With Each Other” is a romantic poem the celebrates the strength and beauty of love. This short, yet powerful reading will be a thoughtful addition to your wedding ceremony. It reads, in part: “What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor?”
“Touched by an Angel,” Maya Angelou
Poet Maya Angelou’s “Touched by an Angel” speaks to the freedom and ecstasy of love. Her all-encompassing words will add meaning and depth to your wedding ceremony. She wrote: “Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls.”
Memorable Movie Readings
If you’re a film buff, you likely have a dozen love quotes from famous scenes that you’d be delighted to incorporate into your wedding. Work with your partner to compile a list of romantic movies, rom-coms, or romantic scenes from any type of film. Next, head to Google to see if there’s a monologue in any of these movies that’s worth adding to your list of wedding readings. If your selected quote doesn’t seem long enough for a reading, ask your officiant to incorporate it into a sermon to pay tribute to words that are meaningful to you.
You can tap into memorable quotes about love in classic films like It’s a Wonderful Life, comedies like The Wedding Singer, and romantic films like Love Actually. Or if this is a little too conventional for you and your partner’s style, try looking for relative quotes from any of your favorite films — who says you can’t quote the infamous “I love you. I know.” scene between Han Solo and Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at your wedding?
When it comes to selecting readings for your wedding, don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from any form of media. Focus on finding a reading that gives your ceremony a personal touch, provides your guests with an insight into your relationship, and allows you and your soon-to-be spouse to reflect themes that ring true in your love.
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