Top 10 Heartfelt Wedding Readings for a Memorable Ceremony

August 04, 2024

Ever wanted to include a piece of loving and meaningful readings for your wedding?

Here are my top 10 favourite selections that can add depth, emotion, and a touch of elegance to your special day.

1. "Union" by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car or over a meal or during long walks—all those conversations that began with, "When we're married," and continued with "I will" and "you will" and "we will"—all those late-night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe"—and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time.

Before this moment you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. You have learned that good company and good conversation are the best of gifts. But today, you are about to say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after today, you shall say to the world—This is my husband. This is my wife.

2. "Marry Your Best Friend" by N'tima

Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute—even when the waters get deep, and dark.

3. "Love Is Giving" – Unknown Author

Love is giving, not taking,

mending, not breaking,

trusting, believing,

never deceiving,

patiently bearing

and faithfully sharing

each joy, every sorrow,

today and tomorrow.

Love is kind, understanding,

but never demanding.

Love is constant, prevailing,

its strength never failing.

A promise once spoken

for all time unbroken,

Love's time is forever.

4. "Love" from 1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

5. "Adam Bede" by George Eliot

What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life—to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? 

6. "The Art of Marriage" (Shorter Version) by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

The little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

7. Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

8. Author Unknown

Love isn’t always perfect. It isn’t a fairytale or a storybook. And it doesn’t always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on & never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, & impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, Love is realising that every hour, every minute, & every second was worth it because you did it together.

9. "Marriage Is Not Beautiful" by Unknown Author

Marriage isn’t a beautiful thing, but it is amazing.

It’s knowing that someone loves you so much, and won’t leave you even though you said something nasty.

It’s having someone have your back no matter what.

It’s fights over stupid things, like someone not doing the dishes or picking up after themselves.

And it’s those nights you fall asleep in each other’s arms, feeling like there will never be enough time with them.

It’s cleaning up their vomit, or just rubbing their back when they’re sick.

It’s the dirtiest, hardest, most rewarding job there is.

Because at the end of the day you get to crawl into bed with your best friend, the weirdest, most annoying, loving, goofy, perfect person that you know.

Marriage is not beautiful, but it’s one heck of a ride.

10. "An Uncommon Love" by Terah Cox

May you have the love only two can know.

May you go where only two as one may go.

May the sun rise and set in your bonded hearts

and the moon never find you too long apart.

May you cherish each other’s dreams as your own

and turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones.

May you brave life’s mountains and miles together.

May there be no storm your love cannot weather.

May you be lovers and allies and friends.

May your soul’s conversation never end.

May you capture on earth what’s in heaven above.

May your hearts know the rapture of an uncommon love.

These readings span a range of emotions and themes, from the deeply spiritual to the poetically romantic. Choosing any of these for your wedding ceremony will help create a memorable and heartfelt experience for you and your guests. 

Enjoy reading! 

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