Bride-To-Be's Conundrum: Can I Read At My Wedding?

The bride doing a reading at her own wedding is a topic that has sparked debate. While some people find it weird and awkward, others believe it is a great way to stamp the couple's personality on the ceremony.

Some brides have chosen to do readings at their wedding, while others have chosen to leave it out. Those who have done readings have found creative ways to make it work, such as having the bride and groom read together or having a friend or family member read on their behalf. Ultimately, the decision to include a reading or not is a personal choice that the couple should make based on what feels right for them.

Choosing a reading that resonates with the couple

A wedding reading can be almost anything, from scripture from a religious text, a poem, words of advice, song lyrics, a movie quote, a literary passage, or something written especially for the wedding couple. The most meaningful readings are those that resonate with both the couple and the person doing the reading.

• Look at your relationship, hobbies, and interests. Personalize your ceremony by selecting a wedding reading that pays homage to what you enjoy.
• Think about authors you like, quotes that motivate you, and the overall sentiment you wish to convey during the wedding ceremony.
• Did you and your soon-to-be spouse bond over a certain song, book, or movie early in your relationship? Then a quote from that piece of art, music, or literature that bonded you would be a great ceremony addition.
• If you are religious, consider including Bible readings or other religious texts in your ceremony.
• If you are having a civil ceremony, you may want to choose non-religious readings that still hold spiritual significance for you.
• Consider the people who will be attending your wedding and choose readings that will not make them feel uncomfortable.
• Choose a reading that reflects your unique personality and stamps your personality on the celebrations.
• If you are having a hard time finding the perfect reading, ask your wedding party, family, or friends for suggestions.
• Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a wedding reading. The most important thing is to choose something that resonates with you and your partner.

Readings can be religious or non-religious

Wedding readings can be religious or non-religious. Religious readings are often chosen from the Bible, but can also be taken from other religious texts, such as the Torah or the Quran. Bible readings for weddings are common for Christian couples, especially verses that touch on love and marriage.

Non-religious readings can be taken from a variety of sources, including songs, movies, literature, and poetry. Some couples even write their own readings.

• "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss
• "The Art of Marriage" by Wilfred A Peterson
• "The House at Pooh Corner" by A.A. Milne
• "Love Is Friendship Caught Fire" by Laura Hendricks
• "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton
• "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks
• "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams
• "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• "Wild Awake" by Hilary T Smith
• "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
• "The Legacy of Luna" by Julia Butterfly Hill

Readings can be chosen from songs, movies, books, or poems

There are many ways to make your wedding ceremony unique and memorable. One way to do this is by choosing readings that are meaningful to you and your partner. These readings can be chosen from songs, movies, books, or poems.

Songs

Songs are a great way to incorporate meaningful and romantic lyrics into your wedding ceremony. For example, you could choose a song with lyrics such as:

> "I love you for a hundred thousand reasons/But most of all, I love you 'cause you're you."

Or:

> "I sat on the roof and kicked up the moss/Well, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross/But the sun's been quite kind/While I wrote this song/It's for people like you that/Keep it turned on."

Movies

If you and your partner are movie buffs, you could choose a reading from one of your favourite films. For example, *The Princess Bride* contains the following romantic lines:

> "Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches...I have stayed these years in my hovel because of you. I have taught myself languages because of you."

Or, if you're a fan of *When Harry Met Sally*, you could include this quote:

> "I love that you get cold when it's seventy-one degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour-and-a-half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts."

Books

Bookworms might want to include a reading from their favourite novel. For instance, *The Notebook* by Nicholas Sparks contains this beautiful passage:

> "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."

Or, for fans of fantasy, *The Alchemist* by Paulo Coelho might be a good choice:

> "When he looked into her eyes, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke — the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert."

Poems

Finally, you could choose a reading from a poem. For instance, E.E. Cummings' *i carry your heart with me* contains these romantic lines:

> "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)/i am never without it(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)/i fear no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)/i want no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)."

Or, for something more lighthearted, you could choose a funny poem like *The Owl and the Pussycat* by Edward Lear:

> "The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea/In a beautiful pea green boat/They took some honey, and plenty of money/Wrapped up in a five-pound note."

Readings can be serious or funny

Wedding readings can be serious or funny, and they can be chosen to reflect the couple's personality. They can be almost anything, from scripture from a religious text to a poem, song lyrics, a movie quote, or a literary passage.

Some couples may prefer to stick to the traditional and serious, whereas others may want to add a touch of humour to their wedding ceremony.

For those who want to add a bit of fun to their wedding, there are plenty of funny wedding readings to choose from. For instance, an excerpt from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton:

> "My dearest friend, if you don't mind

> I'd like to join you by your side

> Where we can gaze into the stars

> And sit together, now and forever

> For it is plain as anyone can see

> We're simply meant to be."

Or, for a more lighthearted take on love, there's the "Eskimo Love Song" by an anonymous author:

> "You are my husband/wife. My legs run because of you. My feet dance because of you. My heart shall beat because of you. My eyes see because of you. My mind thinks because of you. And I shall love because of you."

For those who want to keep things more serious, there are plenty of traditional and meaningful wedding readings to choose from. For example, an excerpt from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams:

> "Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'

> 'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.

> 'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'

Or, for a more romantic option, there's "The Beauty of Love" by an anonymous author:

> "The question is asked: 'Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?'

> And the answer is given: 'Yes, there is a more beautiful thing.

> 'It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled but still clasped; their faces are seamed but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired but still strong with love and devotion. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.'"

Readings can be traditional or non-traditional

Non-traditional readings can be taken from anywhere, including songs, films, or books. For example, a couple may choose to include a reading from a film such as *The Lord of the Rings*, or a song such as 'Make You Feel My Love' by Bob Dylan.

Some couples choose to write their own readings, or ask a friend or family member to do so. This can be a way to make the ceremony more personal, and to include people who are important to the couple.

Readings are not mandatory, and some couples choose to leave them out.

Frequently asked questions