30 Wedding Readings for Ceremonies

A reading gives your ceremony a moment of reflection and lets someone you love play a special role. The right wedding readings can be traditional, literary, funny or moving, and they say something about you as a couple that vows alone sometimes cannot.

Below are 30 popular choices, grouped by style, with a short note on what each one is about and where it fits best. Look up the full text from a reliable edition before you finalise your choice.

Religious and Spiritual Readings

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Perhaps the best-known wedding reading of all, this passage from Paul’s letter describes the qualities of love, such as patience and kindness. It suits church ceremonies and many secular ones too.

2. Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth’s promise to stay with Naomi wherever she goes was originally about loyalty between family members, but its words of devotion have made it a favourite for couples.

3. Song of Songs 8:6-7

Also called the Song of Solomon, this passage compares love to a seal on the heart and describes it as something many waters cannot quench. It is poetic and intensely romantic.

4. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

This passage explains why two are better than one and ends with the image of a three-stranded cord. It pairs naturally with a cord-braiding unity ritual.

5. Colossians 3:12-14

A short reading encouraging compassion, kindness, humility, patience and forgiveness, with love binding them all together. A practical choice for couples who want a reading about everyday marriage.

6. 1 John 4:7-12

This passage centres on love coming from God and on loving one another. It is gentle, clear and works well when read by a grandparent or godparent.

7. Poems by Rumi, in Translation

The thirteenth-century Persian poet Rumi wrote extensively about love and longing. Several short poems, especially in modern English translations, are popular at spiritual but non-religious weddings. Credit the translator as well as the poet.

Classic Poems

8. Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

This sonnet describes love as constant, unshaken by time or change. It is short, timeless and widely recognised by guests.

9. Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Better known by its opening question about how the speaker loves, this poem lists the many ways and depths of love. It is ideal for a confident reader who enjoys a dramatic build.

10. i carry your heart with me by E. E. Cummings

Cummings’ playful lowercase style makes this one of the most loved modern wedding poems. It speaks of carrying a partner with you everywhere.

11. Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

From his collection One Hundred Love Sonnets, this poem describes loving someone in a quiet, mysterious and complete way. Choose a translation you love, or have it read in Spanish and English.

12. He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven by W. B. Yeats

A very short poem about offering a loved one everything you have, even if it is only your dreams. Perfect for a reader who is nervous about speaking for long.

13. Married Love by Guan Daosheng

Written by a celebrated Chinese poet and painter of the Yuan dynasty, this poem describes two clay figures broken and remoulded together, so each contains part of the other. It is tender and unusual.

Modern Poems

14. Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney

Heaney uses the image of builders checking scaffolding to describe a relationship strong enough to stand on its own. Thoughtful and grounded, it suits couples who have been together for years.

15. Atlas by U. A. Fanthorpe

This poem celebrates the unglamorous love of maintenance, the small daily acts that hold a life together. It often makes guests smile in recognition.

16. Habitation by Margaret Atwood

A brief, striking poem that describes marriage not as a house but as something more primal and ongoing. It is a good fit for couples who prefer realism over romance.

17. Touched by an Angel by Maya Angelou

This poem speaks about love giving people the courage to be free. It is powerful when read slowly by a confident speaker.

18. Blessing for a Marriage by James Dillet Freeman

Written as a series of wishes for the couple, this blessing is warm and gentle. It works beautifully when read by a parent or mentor.

Readings From Prose and Literature

19. On Marriage from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Gibran reflects on giving each other space within togetherness, using images of pillars and trees. It is one of the most frequently chosen secular readings.

20. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

A passage in which an old man describes love as something that remains when the first excitement fades, using the image of tree roots growing together. Honest and moving.

21. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

The Skin Horse’s explanation of what it means to become Real is a favourite for couples who want something sweet and nostalgic. It is lovely read by a sibling or friend.

22. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The fox’s lesson about taming and being responsible for what you love offers a gentle, philosophical message.

23. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

In the final chapter, Jane reflects on her marriage as a true companionship. It is ideal for literature lovers and couples with a classic style.

24. The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

A list of small, practical habits that make a happy marriage, such as saying kind words and sharing laughter. Many guests find it relatable.

25. Union by Robert Fulghum

Fulghum reflects on how the promises made at a wedding are less about the ceremony and more about the ordinary days that follow. It is warm, wise and modern.

Readings From the Courts

26. Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

A passage from this 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling, written by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall, describes marriage as a deeply personal commitment. It has become a popular secular reading.

27. Obergefell v. Hodges

The closing paragraph of this 2015 US Supreme Court decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, reflects on the depth of the marriage bond. It is meaningful for many couples, especially in the LGBTQ community.

Playful and Light-Hearted Readings

28. The Owl and the Pussy-cat by Edward Lear

A whimsical nonsense poem about an unlikely couple sailing away to be married. Ideal for a child or a reader with good comic timing.

29. I Like You by Sandol Stoddard

This children’s book lists the small, silly reasons one friend likes another. Read in excerpts, it brings warmth and laughter to the ceremony.

30. A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton

A short, funny tale about two dinosaurs who find each other a little strange but perfectly suited. It is a crowd favourite for relaxed weddings.

How Many Readings Do You Need?

Most ceremonies include one to three readings. A common approach is to pair one traditional or serious reading with one lighter piece, so the mood rises and falls naturally. If your ceremony has a time limit, such as at some registry offices, check the length before you commit.

Tips for Choosing and Delivering Readings

• Check ceremony rules. Religious venues may require scripture, while some civil ceremonies do not allow religious content. Check the official guidance for your venue or registrar.
• Choose the right reader. Pick someone who enjoys speaking, and match the tone of the reading to their personality.
• Time it. Aim for readings of one to three minutes each.
• Print a copy. Give readers a large-print copy in a folder rather than relying on phones.
• Credit the author. Include the title and author in your printed program, and check permissions if you plan to reprint a full modern poem.
• Rehearse. Encourage readers to practise aloud and to slow down on the day.

Final Thoughts

A well-chosen reading can become one of the most memorable moments in your ceremony. Read several options aloud together, notice which ones make you pause or smile, and choose the words that best reflect the love you are celebrating.