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Beach wedding readings
A beach ceremony has its own soundtrack — surf, gulls, the occasional gust — so the reading has to earn its place. Short, image-rich pieces work best; anything too long gets lost in the wind.
These are our favourite readings for weddings by the sea: tide, horizon, salt and the small solid promise being made on the sand.
Beach readings we love
- 01
Book of Genesisby Kei Miller, b. 1978Until even silent dreams had been allowedRead the full poem - 02
Gift from the Seaby Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1906 ~ 2001The only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity – in freedomRead the full poem - 03
Love Songby Henry Dumas, 1934 ~ 1968On hands and knees the ocean begs up the beach, then falls at your feet.Read the full poem - 04
Patagoniaby Kate Clanchy, b. 1965I meant skies all empty aching blue. I meant years. I meant all of them with you.Read the full poem - 05
The kissby Rabindranath Tagore, 1861 ~ 1941Love is writing a song in a delicate script, kiss-calligraphy on lipsRead the full poem - 06
The Trueloveby David Whyte, b. 1955You’ve simply had enough of drowning and you want to live and you want to love and you will walk across any territory and any darkness however fluid and however dangerous to take the one hand you know belongs in yours.Read the full poem - 07
White Writingby Carol Ann Duffy, b. 1955No poems written to praise you. I write them white.Read the full poem
Choosing your reading
Any tips for reading at the beach?
Print the reading in a large font on stiff card — paper flaps in the wind. If you're not mic'd up, choose something short, slow right down and speak clearly; the ocean swallows fast speech. Make sure you check out the performance tips we have for each poem, and visit the Performance Bootcamp for general tips every Resplendant (wedding reader) can follow.