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Wedding Ceremony Readings: 25+ Examples for Every Style

Wedding reading examples from classic literature, modern poetry, humorous sources, and spiritual traditions — curated for ceremonies of every style and formality.

By Plana Editorial·Updated April 22, 2026

A well-chosen reading transforms a ceremony from a legal formality into a shared emotional experience. The right words give guests something to hold onto — a phrase that stays with them, a sentiment that captures what they are witnessing. These examples span classic literature, contemporary writing, humor, and spiritual traditions.

How to Use These Examples

01
Choose a reading that reflects the couple's personality, not just the ceremony's formality. A literary couple deserves Shakespeare; a couple who met at a comedy show deserves something funny.
02
Keep readings under two minutes when spoken aloud. Anything longer loses the audience during a ceremony.
03
Give the reader a printed copy at least two weeks before the wedding so they can practice delivery and pacing.
04
If you are using a reading from a longer work, provide the excerpt only — do not ask the reader to summarize the source.

Classic Literature

Timeless passages from novels, plays, and essays that have been read at weddings for generations.

From Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being 'in love,' which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken; it is the star to every wandering bark, whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle's compass come; love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.

From Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

The future belongs to hearts even more than it does to minds. Love, that is the only thing that can occupy and fill eternity. In the infinite, the inexhaustible is requisite. Love participates of the soul itself. It is of the same nature. Like it, it is the divine spark; like it, it is incorruptible, indivisible, imperishable. It is a point of fire that exists within us, which is immortal and infinite, which nothing can confine, and which nothing can extinguish.

From A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

At night, there was the feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to find the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal. We slept when we were tired and if we woke the other one woke too so one was not alone. Often a man wishes to be alone and a woman wishes to be alone too and if they love each other they are jealous of that in each other, but I can truly say we never felt that.

Modern Poetry & Prose

Contemporary writing that speaks to modern love with fresh language and relatable imagery.

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 are married' — have led to this moment. If you can keep alive between you all that you have learned and known about each other, then you will always be the best of friends.

Blessing of the Hands (adapted)

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 hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes — tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten (excerpt) by Robert Fulghum

Share everything. Play fair. Do not hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Do not take things that are not yours. Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Humorous & Lighthearted

Readings that make the audience laugh while still honoring the meaning of the occasion. Perfect for couples who do not take themselves too seriously.

A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton

The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was very cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, parsing his cage. Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur. She melted the Dinosaur's cage with kind words and warm unwavering love. And together they lived happily ever after. The moral of the story is that true love thaws even the coldest of hearts — and that Dinosaurs are not always as fierce as they appear.

Yes, I'll Marry You 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, you see, and you investigate. And when the dog gets sick upon the sofa in the hall, and the air is thick and green and there's no one else to call — yes, I'll marry you, my dear, you may not apprehend it, but when the tumble-Loss of life comes, well, we'll face it together and mend it.

On Marriage by Ogden Nash (adapted)

To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup, whenever you are wrong, admit it; whenever you are right, shut up. This piece of advice is short and sweet, and easier said than done. But any couple who can master it has already won the most important argument of all — the one about whether love or pride matters more. Spoiler: it is always love.

Spiritual & Non-Denominational

Readings drawn from spiritual traditions that speak to universal themes of love, commitment, and hope without requiring a specific religious context.

Apache Blessing (traditional)

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Buddhist Blessing (adapted)

Do not deceive each other, or despise each other, or out of anger wish for the other to suffer. Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let each of you cultivate a boundless love toward the other. Let your love flow outward through the whole universe. In standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all your waking hours, practice the way of loving-kindness. This is the noblest way of living.

Irish Blessing (traditional)

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. May your days be many and your troubles be few. May all God's blessings descend upon your love. May peace be within your home, and may joy be in your hearts today and always.

How to Personalize These Examples

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Choose a reading that means something to your relationship — not just one that sounds nice. If you bonded over a particular book or poem, use that.
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Ask the reader to practice the piece aloud and time it. Reading speed varies dramatically between people.
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If a reading is from a larger work, provide the reader with a one-sentence introduction they can say before reading, so guests have context.
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Consider having two short readings rather than one long one — the variety keeps the ceremony's rhythm engaging.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a reading solely because it appeared on a top-ten wedding readings list without considering whether it fits your ceremony's tone.
Picking a passage that is beautiful in print but awkward when spoken aloud. Always test readings by reading them out loud.
Assigning a reading to someone who is uncomfortable with public speaking. Choose readers who will deliver the words with confidence.
Using three or more readings in a single ceremony. Two is ideal; three is the maximum before the audience loses focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a wedding reading be?

Between sixty and ninety seconds when read aloud at a natural pace. This translates to roughly 150 to 250 words. Anything longer risks losing the audience's attention during the ceremony.

Can we use song lyrics as a reading?

Yes, but choose carefully. Song lyrics are written to be sung, and many lose their power when read aloud without melody. Lyrics from narrative or poetic songs tend to work better than those from pop choruses.

Is it appropriate to use a reading from a movie or TV show?

Absolutely, as long as it is meaningful and well-written. Quotes from films, shows, and even video games are increasingly common at modern ceremonies. The key is that the words resonate with the couple and feel genuine in the context of the ceremony.

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