A well-chosen reading gives the ceremony a moment of stillness — a pause in the ritual where something true is said about love, partnership, or the commitment being made.
The best readings are ones that sound like they were chosen specifically for the two of you. Here’s a guide to the most enduring options, how to choose one, and how to use it well.
How to Choose a Wedding Reading
Before searching for specific texts, answer these questions:
What is the ceremony’s tone? A secular humanist ceremony has different space for a reading than a traditional religious service. Know which kind of language belongs.
How long should it be? A reading that lands is typically 1–3 minutes when read aloud. Most ceremonies include 1–2 readings; a single strong reading is better than two weaker ones.
Who is reading? The reader’s voice, relationship to you, and comfort with public speaking all affect how a reading lands. Choose someone who can hold themselves together emotionally and has read it aloud at least once before the ceremony.
Classic Literary Readings
“On Marriage” from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
One of the most requested wedding readings of the last 50 years. The central idea — that two people should stand together but not too near, that love should not possess but liberate — is as resonant as it was when published in 1923. The full passage runs approximately 2–3 minutes when read at a measured pace.
Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare
*”Let me not to the marriage of true minds / Admit impediments…”*
Shakespeare’s most famous poem on love addresses constancy specifically — the idea that true love does not alter when circumstances change. Short (14 lines), dignified, and universally recognised. A reliable choice that holds up even in ceremonies where Shakespeare might feel unexpected.
“i carry your heart with me” by e.e. cummings
*”i carry your heart with me (i carry it in / my heart)…”*
One of the most frequently chosen contemporary-feeling poems for wedding ceremonies. Brief (12 lines), intimate in tone, and accessible without being sentimental. Public domain.
“Blessing for a Marriage” by James Dillet Freeman
A prayer-form blessing that works in both religious and secular contexts, offering specific good wishes for the couple’s life together. Less frequently used than some of the texts above; distinctive for that reason.
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe
A romantic pastoral poem that reads with warmth and imagery. Works particularly well for outdoor ceremonies. Public domain.
Non-Religious / Secular Options
“A Wedding Toast” by Richard Wilbur
A short poem (under 20 lines) written specifically for a wedding context. Addresses the specific nature of the commitment being made without religious language. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry; the language reflects that.
(Note: This poem remains under copyright. Obtain proper permissions or cite the source. An alternative: read a portion aloud and describe the rest.)
Excerpts from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
The famous passage beginning “Love is a temporary madness…” has appeared in thousands of ceremonies since the book’s 1994 publication. It addresses love’s role not as a permanent feeling but as a commitment that carries a couple through the inevitable changes in feeling. Widely used; very effective when read well.
(Copyright held by the author’s estate. For ceremony use — non-commercial, private — this is generally considered acceptable. Verify your specific situation.)
“The Art of Marriage” (traditional/attributed)
Widely circulated and attributed to various sources (Wilferd Arlan Peterson most commonly). A prose poem offering specific wishes and observations about what makes a marriage work. Warm, accessible, and appropriate for mixed audiences.
(Note: Attribution is contested. Use freely.)
“Union” by Robert Fulgham
A prose reflection on the meaning of choosing a partner — practical in voice, meaningful in substance. Often used in humanist ceremonies for its grounded, non-abstract language.
Religious Readings
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (Christian)
*”Love is patient, love is kind…”*
The most commonly requested biblical passage for Christian wedding ceremonies. Brief, clear, and deeply familiar to most guests at a Christian ceremony.
Ruth 1:16–17 (Christian/Jewish)
*”Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay…”*
Ruth’s vow to Naomi — adapted for a wedding context — speaks to lifelong fidelity and accompaniment. Moving in its simplicity.
Apache Wedding Blessing (Traditional)
*”Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other…”*
Frequently used in both secular and non-denominational ceremonies. Note: the “Apache Wedding Blessing” as commonly circulated is not of verified Native American origin — it appears to originate from a 1947 novel. It is a beautiful text; use it knowing its provenance is disputed.
How to Use a Reading in the Ceremony
Placement: Readings typically occur after the opening words from the officiant and before the vows. One reading before vows works well; a second reading can come after ring exchange if desired.
Introduction: The officiant should briefly introduce the reader and the text (“Our next reading is from…read by…”). The reader should not introduce themselves.
Practice: The reader should practise at least twice aloud before the ceremony. The reading should be printed in a large, clear font on a card they can hold — not read from a phone.
Timing: A 1–2 minute reading is usually ideal. If the text you love runs longer, ask the reader to use a selected portion.
FAQ: Wedding Ceremony Readings
How many readings should we have? One or two, depending on ceremony length. A 20-minute ceremony usually has room for one reading. A 45-minute ceremony can accommodate two.
Can a reading be funny? Yes, if the ceremony’s tone allows it. A warm, humorous reading from a children’s book or a piece of writing that’s meaningful to you both can work well, particularly in more informal ceremonies.
Who should do the reading? Someone who can read clearly and calmly under emotional pressure. Consider their relationship to you, their speaking voice, and whether they’ll hold together emotionally. Brief them fully about timing and expectations.
Can we write our own reading? Yes. A short piece of writing — original prose or a selected excerpt from something meaningful to your relationship — is often the most personal option.
Is it OK to use the same reading someone else used at their wedding? Absolutely. Popular wedding readings become popular because they’re genuinely moving. There’s no originality requirement for ceremony readings.
What if the reading has copyright restrictions? For private, non-commercial ceremonies, the practical standard is that brief readings from copyright-protected works are generally not enforced. If you’re publishing the ceremony programme commercially or recording and distributing it, consult the rights more carefully.
A Reading Should Sound Like the Two of You Chose It
The test for any wedding reading: does it say something true about love, and does it sound like something you would choose? If yes to both — it’s the right reading.
