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Christian wedding readings
A Christian wedding reading does two things at once — it speaks to the couple in front of the altar, and it names the faith they're bringing into the marriage. The best ones feel like promises made in good company.
These are the passages and faith-rooted poems we return to when a couple wants their ceremony to sit clearly inside their belief.
Christian readings we love
- 01
For a new beginning
by John O'Donohue, 1956 ~ 2008The delight when your courage kindled and out you stepped onto new ground
Read the full poem → - 02
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 → - 03
The Wedding March
by Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844 ~ 1889I to him turn with tears, whose wonder-wedlock deals triumph and immortal years
Read the full poem → - 04
Touched by an angel
by Maya Angelou, 1928 ~ 2014Love costs all we are and will ever be, but it is only love that will set us free.
Read the full poem → - 05
We are young
by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892 ~ 1973We have become as one, deep rooted in the soil of Life and tangled in the sweet growth
Read the full poem → - 06
Wedding Toast
by Richard Wilbur, 1921 ~ 2017The world's fullness is not made, but found.
Read the full poem → - 07
Your Cathederal
by Wilfred O'Dea, c1910? ~ unknownYou draw from me broken now holy that yes
Read the full poem →
Choosing your reading
Do we need a minister to include scripture?
No — scripture can be read by any friend or family member. A minister isn't required for the reading itself, only for the parts of the ceremony your tradition asks them to lead.
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.