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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 Genesis
by Kei Miller, b. 1978Untill even silent dreams had been allowed
Read the full poem → - 02
Gift from the Sea
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1906 ~ 2001The only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity – in freedom
Read the full poem → - 03
Love Song
by Henry Dumas, 1934 ~ 1968On hands and knees the ocean begs up the beach, then falls at your feet.
Read the full poem → - 04
Patagonia
by 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 kiss
by Rabindranath Tagore, 1861 ~ 1941Love is writing a song in a delicate script, kiss-calligraphy on lips
Read the full poem → - 06
The Truelove
by 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 Writing
by 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 outdoors?
Print the reading in a large font on stiff card — paper flaps in the wind. If you're not miked, choose something short and ask your reader to slow right down; the ocean swallows fast speech.
How many readings should we have?
One or two is typical for a shorter ceremony; three works well if you'd like to give more guests a role. Vary the tone so the ceremony doesn't sit on one note.
Who should read?
Choose people whose voices you love hearing — siblings, close friends, a parent, a chosen family member. Send the reading in advance so they can practise.