Wedding Readings Inspiration

Having a reading during your wedding ceremony is a lovely way of including a friend or family member in your day, and its also a really nice way of having something in your ceremony that resonates with you and your relationship with your partner.

If you are struggling to think of a reading that is right for your big day, perhaps one these readings, that were all chosen by couples I conducted wedding ceremonies for in 2024, will be just what you are looking for…

“Wedding Poem” by Whitney Hanson Poetry

They say that sometimes
love starts with a spark.

And that might be true,
but if I were to wish you a love,
I wouldn’t wish fire for you.

You see, fire is powerful.
It burns bright and then it’s gone.
It’s beautiful and warm,
but it doesn’t last long.

So instead of wishing you a love that burns,
I wish you a love like a river twists and turns.
It changes and it flows,
It is powerful and free.
But it consistently finds its way back to the sea.

And so like the water,
I hope your love is ever growing, ever changing.
I hope your love is powerful and free,
And may you always find each other,

Like a river finds the sea.

‘The One’ by Cheryl Barclay

When the one whose hand you’re holding,
Is the 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
Makes 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 the whole life through.

‘Winnie the Pooh’ by A.A Milne

“‘If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.’
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.’Pooh?’ he whispered. ‘Yes, Piglet?’
‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. ‘I just wanted to be sure of you.”We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet.
‘Even longer,’ Pooh answered. ‘If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.'”

‘Yes, I’ll Marry You My Dear’ by Pam Ayres

Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear, and here’s the reason why;
So I can push you out of bed, when the baby starts to cry,
And if we hear a knocking, and it’s creepy and it’s late,
I hand you the torch to see, and you investigate.

Yes I’ll marry you, my dear, you may not apprehend it,
But when the tumble drier goes, it’s you that has to mend it.
You have to face the neighbour, should our Labrador attack him,
And if a drunkard fondles me, it’s you that has to whack him.

Yes I’ll marry you, you’re virile and you’re lean,
My house is like a pigsty, you can help to keep it clean.
That sexy little dinner, which you served by candlelight,
As I do chipolatas, you can cook it every night!

It’s you who work the drill, and put up curtain track,
And when I’ve got PMT, it’s you who gets the flak,
I do see great advantages, but none of them for you,
And so before you see the light, I do, I do, I do!

‘I Wanna Be Yours’ by John Cooper Clarke

I wanna be your vacuum cleaner
breathing in your dust
I wanna be your Ford Cortina
I will never rust
If you like your coffee hot
let me be your coffee pot
You call the shots
I wanna be yours

I wanna be your raincoat
for those frequent rainy days
I wanna be your dreamboat
when you want to sail away
Let me be your teddy bear
take me with you anywhere
I don’t care
I wanna be yours

I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out
I wanna be the electric heater
you’ll get cold without
I wanna be your setting lotion
hold your hair in deep devotion
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
that’s how deep is my devotion.

‘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 that 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, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –

This is my husband. This is my wife.

‘From ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ by Thomas Hardy

We are all on our own paths, all on our own journeys. Sometimes the paths cross, and people arrive at the crossing points at the same time and meet each other. There are greetings, pleasantries are exchanged, and then they move on. But then once in a while the pleasantries become more, friendship grows, deeper links are made, hands are joined and love flies. The friendship has turned into love.

Paths are joined, one path with two people walking it, both going in the same direction, and sharing each other’s journeys. They will now skip together in harmony and love, sharing joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, strengthening and upholding each other as they walk along side by side. At home by the fire, whenever I look up, there you will be. And whenever you look up, there I shall be.

‘After the Lunch’ by Wendy Cope

On Waterloo Bridge, where we said our goodbyes,
the weather conditions bring tears to my eyes.
I wipe them away with a black woolly glove
And try not to notice I’ve fallen in love.

On Waterloo Bridge I am trying to think:
This is nothing. you’re high on the charm and the drink.
But the juke-box inside me is playing a song
That says something different. And when was it wrong?

On Waterloo Bridge with the wind in my hair
I am tempted to skip. You’re a fool. I don’t care.
the head does its best but the heart is the boss-
I admit it before I am halfway across.

Reading of ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls

What are days for?

Days are where we live

They come, they wake us

Time and time over

They are to be happy in

Where can we live but days?

It’s one of the great cosmic mysteries.

How it is that someone can go from being a total stranger to being the most important person in your life

Imagine one selected day struck out of your life and think how different its course would have been.

Think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link… on that memorable day.

“Side by Side”

You’re not just tying a knot today,

You’re building a life in your own way.

With love that grows and laughter that stays,

May your partnership brighten all your days.

Through highs and lows, through thick and thin,

Together you’ll face whatever life brings in.

With patience, respect, and humour to spare,

You’ll handle it all, the love and the care.

Marriage is not about perfection or show,

It’s about finding joy in the small things you know.

It’s laughing together, even when plans go awry,

And knowing you’re stronger when it’s you and I.

And here we stand, your friends by your side,

Cheering you on, with love and pride.

We’ve walked this journey with you from the start,

And now we witness this union of heart.

So here’s to the future, filled with surprises and cheer,

Side by side, year after year.

May your days be happy, your nights be calm,

And may your love be each other’s lifelong balm.

Image : Clara Cooper Photography