Junior Rasmussen
Wedding blessings are a time-honoured tradition in many religions and cultures, often invoking a higher power to guide the newlyweds in their new life together. Wedding blessings are usually given during the wedding ceremony or at the reception before dinner. They can be religious, incorporating Bible verses or prayers, or non-religious, simply wishing the couple good luck and fortune. Blessings can be given by a religious leader or a family member or friend. They often incorporate themes of love, joy, compassion, longevity, prosperity, and spiritual purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | Religious or non-religious |
| Theme | Love, joy, compassion, happiness, health, longevity, prosperity, spiritual purpose, mutual support, gratitude |
| Context | Wedding ceremony or reception |
| Who delivers it? | Religious leader, family member, or trusted friend |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding blessings and prayers
Religious Wedding Blessings and Prayers:
"Bless this husband. Bless him as the provider of nourishment and raiment, and sustain him in all the exactions and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her boast and her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs. Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness, a deep sense of understanding, and a great faith. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age. Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto them."
"Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded to us this day, for the hope with which we expect tomorrow, for our health, our work, our food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen."
"May your marriage always bring glory to God, joy to one another, and blessings to your family for many generations. May love and laughter fill your hearts and your home all the days of your lives."
Non-Religious Wedding Blessings and Prayers:
"May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise. May this marriage be a sign of compassion, a seal of happiness in this life and the next."
"May you always have a special sense of your mission in life together, and may you never tire of the endless possibilities of exploring your shared existence."
"Today you're getting married, your love is truly blessed. Though you cannot see me, I am your silent guest. I am watching from Heaven as you exchange your vows, and I am just as excited as each of you are now. Always remember that I still love you, and know that if I had my way, I'd be right beside you on your wedding day."
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Readings and poems
Wedding readings and poems are a beautiful way to express the couple's commitment and love for each other. Here are some suggestions for readings and poems for a blessed wedding:
Religious Readings and Poems
"O God of love, Thou has established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind." This reading from Dr. Louis H. Evans acknowledges the importance of marriage in a religious context.
A blessing for the husband and wife: "Bless this husband. Bless him as the provider of nourishment and raiment, and sustain him in all the exactions and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection and his character be her boast and her pride. Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness, a deep sense of understanding, and a great faith. Give her inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age."
A prayer for the couple: "Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us... By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this man and this woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads."
Non-Religious Readings and Poems
A poem about the beauty of love and commitment: "Your love is as the sea, constant and ever-changing. Your love is as the wind, rapturous and all-encompassing. Your love is as the earth, solid and firm. Your love is as a flame, illuminating your lives and warming your hearts."
A reading about the little things in a marriage: "It's not the dreaming; it's the waking up with you. I want to be here long enough to gather dust with you... But now I see maybe the snorkel was too much for you... It's knowing, if it came to it and I had the option to, I would not change a single thing of what I've got with you."
A blessing for a happy and prosperous future: "May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward. May the road rise up to meet you. May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home, and may the hand of a friend always be near."
A poem about the power of love: "To love is not to possess, to own or imprison, nor to lose one's self in another. Love is to join and separate, to walk alone and together, to find a laughing freedom that lonely isolation does not permit. It is finally to be able to be who we truly are, no longer clinging in childish dependency nor docilely living separate lives in silence."
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Religious and spiritual blessings
Wedding blessings are a time-honored tradition in many religions and cultures, often invoking a higher power to guide the newlyweds in their new life together. Blessings are usually given during the wedding ceremony or at the reception before dinner. Religious blessings typically ask for God's protection and favour, while non-religious blessings may simply wish the couple good luck and fortune. Here are some examples of religious and spiritual blessings for a wedding:
Religious Blessings
"Bless this husband. Bless him as the provider of nourishment and raiment, and sustain him in all the exactions and pressures of his battle for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her boast and her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs. Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness, a deep sense of understanding, and a great faith in Thee. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. Teach them that marriage is not merely living for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto them. May they never take each other's love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, 'Out of all this world, you have chosen me.'"
"Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded to us this day, for the hope with which we expect tomorrow, for our health, our work, our food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen."
"May your marriage always bring glory to God, joy to one another, and blessings to your family for many generations to come. May love and laughter fill your hearts and your home for all the days of your lives."
Spiritual Blessings
"May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise. May this marriage be a sign of compassion, a seal of happiness here and hereafter. May this marriage have a fair face and a good name, an omen as welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky."
"May you always have a special sense of your mission in life together, and may you never tire of the endless possibilities of exploring your shared existence."
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Non-religious blessings
A wedding is a special occasion for the couple and their loved ones. It is a day filled with love, joy, and blessings. For those who are not religious, there are still many ways to incorporate meaningful and heartfelt blessings into the ceremony. Here are some ideas for non-religious blessings that will add a special touch to your wedding day:
Readings and Poems
Non-religious readings and poems can be a beautiful way to express your love and commitment to each other. These can be written by famous authors, such as a poem by Walt Whitman, or they can be more modern and personalised, like a piece written specifically for the couple by a friend or family member. Some couples opt for light-hearted and fun readings, while others prefer something more emotional and heartfelt.
For instance, a reading by Whitney Hanson, titled "Wedding Poem", is a popular choice for non-religious ceremonies. Another option is "I Carry It In My Heart" by E.E. Cummings, or "I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone" by Richard Brautigan. Neil Gaiman's "All I Know About Love" is also a favourite among couples.
Secular Blessings
Blessings don't have to be religious in nature. You can incorporate secular blessings into your ceremony that reflect your values and beliefs. For example, you could include a blessing that wishes the couple happiness, love, and a long life together. Here is an example:
"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward."
Symbolic Vows
Your wedding vows can also serve as a form of blessing. These are the promises you make to each other, declaring your love and commitment. They can be personalised to include specific references to your relationship and the journey you've shared. For example, you could say:
"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 promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that began with 'When we're married' and continued with 'I will' and 'you will'—those late-night talks that included 'someday' and 'somehow'—and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, 'You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.'"
Hands Ceremony
A hands ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolise the union of two people and can be included as a blessing. It usually involves the couple holding hands and reciting a poem or reading that reflects the importance of their bond. For example:
"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other."
Personalised Blessings
You can also write your own blessings or adapt existing ones to make them more personal. For example, you could include a blessing that reflects your shared values, such as:
"Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night, with someone who thanks God for me, with someone I feel blessed to hold. Because marriage means an opportunity to grow in love and friendship. Because marriage is a discipline to be added to a list of achievements. Because marriages do not fail, people fail when they enter into marriage expecting another to make them whole. Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental, and physical wholeness. I create me, I take half the responsibility for my marriage. Together, we create our marriage. Because with this understanding, the possibilities are limitless."
These are just a few ideas to inspire your non-religious wedding blessings. Ultimately, the blessings you choose should reflect your beliefs, values, and the unique bond you share as a couple.
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Cultural traditions and personal stories
Wedding blessings are a time-honoured tradition across all religions and cultures. They are often religious, appealing to a higher power to guide the newlyweds, but they can also be non-religious, simply wishing the couple good luck and fortune. Wedding blessings are usually given during the ceremony or at the reception before dinner.
In a Christian context, a Bible verse from the Song of Solomon is often used: "My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away'".
Another Christian blessing is: "Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for our health, our work, our food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen."
A Jewish wedding blessing is: "Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. May there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from the wedding canopy, and of youths from their feasts of song. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gives the Bridegroom joy in his bride."
A Scottish blessing from the 18th century is: "A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief, may you be healthy all your days. May you be blessed with long life and peace, may you grow old with goodness, and with riches."
A non-religious blessing is: "May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise. May this marriage be a sign of compassion, a seal of happiness here and hereafter."
A blessing for a deceased loved one who could not attend the wedding is: "Today you're getting married, your love is truly blessed. Though you cannot see me, I am your silent guest. I am watching from Heaven as you exchange your vows, and I am just as excited as each of you are now. Always remember that I still love you, and know that if I had my way, I'd be right beside you on your wedding day."
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding blessing is a ceremony where a couple's marriage is blessed in the eyes of God. It is often carried out by a religious leader, such as a priest or rabbi, but can also be performed by a family member or friend.
No, while wedding blessings are often religious, they can also be non-religious and simply serve to wish the couple luck and fortune.
A wedding blessing usually takes place during the wedding ceremony, before the couple is announced as husband and wife. However, blessings can also be given at the reception before dinner.
A wedding blessing can include hymns, readings, flowers, and bells. It can be as simple or as elaborate as the couple wishes.
Wedding blessings can vary depending on the couple's religious and cultural background. Some examples include:
- "May your marriage always bring glory to God, joy to one another, and blessings to your family for many generations to come."
- "May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise."
- "Bless this bond they have committed to today, and bless this food set before us."
