In your quest to find the perfect reading for your wedding ceremony you first need to decide who is going to read it. As a wedding Celebrant I love to make every ceremony very personal to the couple so I often suggest asking a friend or family member to deliver a reading or poem.
If this is something you'd like to do then just consider whether the person you're going to ask will feel suitably confident in taking on the task or feel flattered but absolutely petrified and secretly wish you hadn't asked!
The person you ask may want to do their own research and find something they will feel comfortable reading. This is great, but for peace of mind you could suggest that they run two or three ideas by you, allowing you to sign off on their choice!
They may even want to write something them-self, in which case it's out of your hands and you'd better just hope this person was a wise choice!!
If your friend or family member would like you to choose the reading for them, you'll find when you start looking online that there is an abundance of beautiful wedding readings and poems out there. However, you may also find that very few are suitable for a friend or family member to deliver. Many of them have been written by a loved one for a loved one and what you'll be looking for is probably more of a marriage blessing than a love note.
So I've put together 10 of my favourite readings that can be read comfortably by almost anyone. They're modern but full of beautiful sentiment and will add a really special and personal element to your ceremony.
Excerpt from THE BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER
Richard Bach
A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.
SEX AND THE CITY
Carrie
His hello was the end of her endings Her laugh was their first step down the aisle His hand would be hers to hold forever His forever was as simple as her smile He said she was what was missing She said instantly she knew She was a question to be answered And his answer was 'I do
THE ART OF MARRIAGE
Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage 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 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 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.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.
EVER-INCREASING CIRCLES
Helen Marsh Battersea, London
Joining hands, we become a circle, Complete, connected and timeless, We are whole, but not exclusive, We are one and we will live as one, But with endless others encircled around us,
Our marriage is neither beginning or end, But a natural progression of our union, Which finds us bound but not restricted, All that was separate yields and flows, Softly, towards the shared path of our future,
On the foundation of past knowledge, We build modern family, a space of love, An expanding community of new and old, Emitting love, light and sublime acceptance, We find all things reflected back at us, Everything is provided for,
Together we hand-craft our next life phase, It is all embracing, welcoming and generous, The sensuous safety of our self made space,
Helps us to live bravely and without boundaries, Here we nurture, thrive and multiply,
All history is ours now, set down by us, made by us, Strong roots continually feed us, everything is possible, We grow, we build, we share eternally now, And holding hands, we look up, prepare, For there is still far to go…
THE APACHE WEDDING BLESSING
Elliott Arnold
Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, For each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, But there is one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, To enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
LOVE IS A TEMPORARY MADNESS
from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Louis De Bernieres
Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
(Optional change to last sentence)
May your roots grow towards each other underground and, when all the pretty blossom has fallen from your branches, may you find that you are one tree and not two.
BLESSING FOR A MARRIAGE
James Dillet Freeman
May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding. May you always need one another — not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete. The valley does not make the mountain less, but more. And the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you entice one another, but not compel one another. May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another. May you succeed in all-important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces. May you look for things to praise, often say, “I love you!” and take no notice of small faults. If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back. May you enter into the mystery that is the awareness of one another’s presence — no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another.
THIS DAY I MARRIED MY BEST FRIEND
Anon
This day I married my best friend, The one I laugh with as we share life's wondrous zest, As we find new enjoyments and experience all that's best. The one I live for because the world seems brighter As our happy times are better and our burdens feel much lighter. The one I love with every fibre of my soul. We used to feel vaguely incomplete, now together we are whole. I cannot promise you a life of sunshine; I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold; I cannot promise you an easy pathway That leads away from change or growing old. But I can promise all my heart's devotion; A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow; A love that's ever true and ever growing; A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.
HE IS NOT PERFECT
Bob Marley
He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyse. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.
THE ONE
Author Unknown
When the one whose hand you’re holding Is the one one who holds your heart When the one whose eyes you gaze into Gives your hopes and dreams their start, When the one you think of first and last Is the one who holds you tight, And the things you plan together Make the whole world seem just right, When the one whom you believe in puts their faith and trust in you, You’ve found the one and only love You’ll share your whole life through.
For more advice on how to personalise your wedding ceremony or to make a booking enquiry please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Natalie Davies, Certified Wedding Celebrant, Rose & Grace Ceremonies
Tel: 07557 099383
Email: enquiries@roseandgrace.net
Photography credit: https://trilionproductions.com