Whether you’re looking for unique and unusual readings or traditional and Biblical readings for your wedding, a ‘library of wedding readings’ is the phrase to enter in your search engine to begin looking. Some of the selections available are listed below. These sources range from the Bible to fiction and poetry.

If you consider yourself a traditional bride and would prefer a purely Biblical reading, this passage from the “Song of Solomon” King James Version of the Bible might appeal to you. My beloved spake, and said unto me,

Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over, and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the

singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle

is heard in the land.

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the

vines with the tender grape give a good smell.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Traditional readings aren’t for everyone. So, if you are looking for a more unique reading, this selection from “Maud” by Lord Alfred Tennyson might just the thing.

There has fallen a splendid tear

From the passion-flower at the gate.

She is coming, my dove, my dear;

She is coming, my life, my fate;

The red rose cries, "She is near, she is near;"

And the white rose weeps, "She is late;"

The larkspur listens, "I hear, I hear;"

And the lily whispers, "I wait."

She is coming, my own, my sweet;

Were it ever so airy a tread,

My heart would hear her and beat,

Were it earth in an earthy bed;

My dust would hear her and beat,

Had I lain for a century dead,

Would start and tremble under her feet,

And blossom in purple and red.

Favorite poems, lyrics to a favorite song, or an original poem written by you, your spouse or another family member would also be memorable choices to compliment your wedding service. Some couples use wedding poems to speak to loved ones…to say “thank you” or “I love you”.

Are you more of a romantic? Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays might bear considering when you are looking for a reading for your wedding.

Sonnet 18 (Shakespeare)

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

Regardless of what reading or readings you choose, keep in mind what readings touch your heart or are the most meaningful to you and your spouse. If they are significant to you, they will be special to your loved ones who are celebrating your wedding day with you.