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Garden wedding readings
A garden wedding already has half the poem written — the light, the leaves, the small business of bees. The right reading picks that up and hands it back to the couple as a promise.
These are our favourite readings for weddings held in gardens, orchards, backyards and quiet green corners of the world.
Garden readings we love
- 01
About Marriage
by Denise Levertov, 1923 ~ 1997I would be met, and meet you so, in a green airy space, not locked in.
Read the full poem → - 02
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 → - 03
House of Stone
by Carmen Bugan, b. 1970May your tears and your smiles happen always face to face.
Read the full poem → - 04
I carry your heart
by e.e. cummings, 1894 ~ 1962This is the wonder that is keeping the stars apart.
Read the full poem → - 05
Ideas of right and wrong
by Rumi, 1207 ~ 1273Let the beauty we love be what we do
Read the full poem → - 06
Invitation to love
by Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1872 ~ 1906Come, O Love, whenever you may, and you are welcome, welcome
Read the full poem → - 07
Song of Wandering Aengus
by W.B. Yeats, 1865 ~ 1939We will pluck til times and times are done, the silver apples of the moon, the golden apples of the sun
Read the full poem → - 08
The Beauty we love
by Rumi, 1207 ~ 1273The moment I heard my first love story I went looking for you
Read the full poem → - 09
The kiss
by Rabindranath Tagore, 1861 ~ 1941Love is writing a song in a delicate script, kiss-calligraphy on lips
Read the full poem → - 10
When faces called flowers
by e.e. cummings, 1894 ~ 1962Alive; we’re alive, dear: it’s(kiss me now)spring!
Read the full poem → - 11
Zuccini Shofar
by Sarah Lindsay, b. 1958Let living room pianos invite unwashed hands
Read the full poem →
Choosing your reading
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.