Lyla Dejesus
Wedding ceremonies are often filled with love and emotion, and readings are an important part of the occasion. Couples may choose to include a vocal performance, instrumental, or readings. Readings can be religious, such as Bible passages, or non-religious, such as poems or passages from novels. Readings can be chosen by the couple or the reader, and they can be used to give a special role to a loved one. Readings are a great way to include meaningful messages about love and marriage in a wedding ceremony.
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What You'll Learn
Readings are an important part of the wedding mass
A wedding ceremony is a requirement to make your union legal and official. Different cultures and religions incorporate distinctive elements into their wedding ceremonies, and readings are an important part of the wedding mass. For instance, in a Catholic wedding liturgy, the readings are a proclamation of God's Word and of the Church's faith about marriage. Therefore, they are limited to readings from the scriptures (the Bible). There are nine options for the first reading from the Old Testament and thirteen options for the second reading from the New Testament.
In a non-denominational wedding, the couple may choose to include a unifying ritual within the ceremony, such as a unity candle. The groom and the groomsmen can choose to enter from the side or walk down the aisle. The officiant gives the opening remarks and addresses the guests, usually with a small introduction about the couple and the meaning of the occasion. For non-religious ceremonies, guests may be assigned to read prayers, passages from novels, poems, or even meaningful quotes. It is up to the couple how many readings they want.
In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the bride's mother, followed by the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. The bride, escorted by her father, is the last to make her way down the aisle. Other types of religious ceremonies, such as a Hindu wedding, have a slightly different processional order. A wedding ceremony will require three to four songs, including the recessional and processional, in addition to the prelude music.
If you are unable to fit all your loved ones into the wedding party, you can assign them to readings, which are an important part of the mass. The priest then reads a select passage from one of the gospels, usually based on the liturgical calendar, or they may opt to read a passage on marriage or love. During the homily, the priest interprets the gospel reading, gives a speech about marriage, and says a little about the couple's union.
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Readings can be from the Bible, poems, or novels
Wedding readings are a great way to involve loved ones in your ceremony. They can be chosen by the couple or by the person doing the reading, and they can be religious or secular.
If you are having a religious ceremony, you might choose to include a reading from the Bible. There are many beautiful Bible passages that speak of love and marriage, such as this passage from Genesis 2:25:
> "In ancient Israel, where God’s people lived at the time this passage was written, the word 'seal' meant possession. Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave."
Another option is to include a reading from a novel. A popular choice is "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams, which speaks to the idea of something becoming real through love:
> “What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?” “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.”
You could also include a poem in your wedding ceremony. A well-known choice is the poem "Ent and Entwife" from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings":
> Ent: "When Summer lies upon the world, and in a noon of gold / Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold; / When woodland halls are green and cool, and wind is in the West, / Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is best!"
>
> Entwife: "When Summer warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown; / When straw is gold, and ear is white, and harvest comes to town; / When honey spills, and apple swells, though wind be in the West, / I’ll linger here beneath the Sun, because my land is best!"
Whether you choose a reading from the Bible, a novel, or a poem, wedding readings are a wonderful way to include meaningful words and involve loved ones in your ceremony.
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Readings can be done by loved ones
Wedding readings are a great way to involve loved ones in your ceremony. If you are unable to fit all your loved ones into the wedding party, you can assign them to do readings instead. You can have as many readings as you like, but traditionally, there are one or two.
The content of the reading can help you decide who to ask to do the reading. For example, if the reading gives advice, it would make sense to ask a long-married couple to read it together. If it's a silly reading, ask a friend with great comedic timing. You can also give children a reading to do; 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is a great family wedding reading to have a child read—not a dry eye in the house!
You can choose from poems, prayers, passages from novels, or even meaningful quotes. If you are having a religious ceremony, the priest will also read a select passage from one of the gospels, usually based on the liturgical calendar, but they may opt to read a passage on marriage or love.
If you are looking for a romantic reading, you can't beat Shakespeare. Here is an excerpt from one of his readings:
> "So long as lives this, and this gives life to thee. Why We Love This Wedding Reading: When it comes to romantic wedding ceremony readings, you can't beat Shakespeare. This one will sweep your other half off their feet!"
If you are looking for a non-religious reading, this excerpt from a reading by Rachael Meyer is a great option:
> "You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you."
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Readings can be chosen by the couple or the reader
Wedding readings are an important part of the ceremony and can be chosen by either the couple or the reader. The number of readings and what they entail depend on the type of ceremony, whether religious or civil. For instance, religious ceremonies tend to include a hymn at the beginning and may also feature a vocal or instrumental performance. On the other hand, civil ceremonies offer more flexibility in terms of vows and readings.
If you're having a religious ceremony, it's a good idea to consult your officiant or member of the clergy about the suitability of your chosen readings. They can guide you on the format and any restrictions. For instance, in a Catholic wedding, the priest typically reads a passage from the gospels, which may be replaced by a passage on marriage or love.
If you're having a civil ceremony, you have more freedom to choose readings that resonate with you as a couple. You can select poems, passages from novels, or meaningful quotes. If you want to involve loved ones who aren't part of the wedding party, you can assign them to do the readings. This adds a special touch and ensures that those closest to you have a significant role in your celebration.
When choosing readings, consider the message you want to convey. Some couples opt for traditional readings, such as Bible verses that offer wisdom for a strong and happy marriage. Others may prefer more unique selections, like passages from "The Velveteen Rabbit" or works by J.R.R. Tolkien, that symbolise the beauty and depth of love. Ultimately, the readings you choose should reflect your relationship and the vision you have for your special day.
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Readings can be religious or civil
Wedding readings are an important part of the ceremony. They can be used to personalise the occasion and bring in additional voices. Readings can be religious or civil, and they can be chosen by the couple to be meaningful to them and the person doing the reading.
Religious readings are often chosen from scripture, such as the Bible or Torah, and may include verses that touch on love and marriage. For example, a priest conducting a Catholic ceremony may opt to read a passage on marriage or love from the gospels. Secular weddings, on the other hand, can use non-religious readings from any source, such as song lyrics, poems, book excerpts, television and movie quotes, or even something written specifically for the couple.
Non-religious readings can be chosen from a wide range of sources, including literature, poetry, songs, films, and even children's books. Couples can select readings that are meaningful to them and their relationship, such as a passage from a favourite poem or a quote from a movie they saw on their first date. These readings can be romantic or add a bit of humour to the ceremony.
For instance, a couple might choose an excerpt from a novel that symbolises the vows they are about to make:
> "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word."
Or they might opt for a reading that celebrates the union of two souls and the strength that comes from facing obstacles together:
> "Our family is a circle of love and strength/ With every birth and every union, the circle grows/ Every joy shared adds more love/ Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger."
Ultimately, the choice of reading is up to the couple, and they can select whatever they feel best represents their love story and the theme of their wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding passage is a reading, poem, or quote that is often included in wedding ceremonies. These passages are usually chosen by the couple getting married, and they can be religious or non-religious.
Passages are a way to personalise a wedding ceremony and make it more meaningful to the couple. They are often chosen to reflect the couple's relationship, values, or beliefs.
The wedding passage can be read by the officiant, a member of the clergy, or a guest who is close to the couple. It is common to choose someone with a clear voice and the necessary confidence to deliver the reading.
The wedding passage is usually read during the ceremony, after the officiant's opening remarks and address to the couple. It can be followed by the exchange of vows and rings.
Wedding passages can be taken from various sources, including novels, poems, religious texts, or even meaningful quotes. Some popular choices include "The Velveteen Rabbit," Bible passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and romantic quotes like, "Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength...".
