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Short wedding readings
Sometimes the best reading is the shortest one. A handful of lines, spoken clearly, can carry more feeling than a long passage that loses the room halfway through.
These are our favourite short wedding readings — each under a minute spoken, most well under. Perfect if you want the ceremony to move briskly, or if you're pairing several voices back-to-back.
Short readings we love
- 01
Book of Genesisby Kei Miller, b. 1978Until even silent dreams had been allowedRead the full poem - 02
Epiphanyby Sophie Strand, contemporaryMy heart was made to be split open, like the milkweed pod, and scatteredRead the full poem - 03
Habitationby Margaret Atwood, b. 1939With wonder at having survived this far, we are learning to make fireRead the full poem - 04
House of Stoneby Carmen Bugan, b. 1970May your tears and your smiles happen always face to face.Read the full poem - 05
Learned in Kindergartenby Robert Fulghum, b. 1937Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes upRead the full poem - 06
Loveby "Roy Croft" (disputed attribution)You are helping me to make out of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a templeRead the full poem - 07
Mysteries, yesby Mary Oliver, 1935 ~ 2019Let me keep company, always, with those who say 'look' and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.Read the full poem - 08
We are youngby J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892 ~ 1973We have become as one, deep rooted in the soil of Life and tangled in the sweet growthRead the full poem
Choosing your reading
How short is short?
Anything under about 45 seconds spoken aloud — usually eight to sixteen lines. Long enough to say something real; short enough that nobody shifts in their seat.
What are the tips for performing a 'short' wedding reading?
With longer readings there's more opportunity for the audience to 'drop in' and soak up the general feeling. With a shorter poem, every line matters, and you can't afford to let your performance add a moment of ambiguity or confusion. Our hot tip? Don't be afraid to repeat a line or two for maximum impact. 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.
What are the traps to watch out for with a "short" wedding reading?
With shorter poems, the big trap is rushing. Almost everyone rushes, but with a shorter reading the piece can be over before it begins — and, most importantly, before the audience has had a chance to open themselves up to the magic of what you're bringing. Take your time and own your space. Check out the Free Resources we have for Resplendants (wedding readers), particularly the Seven Secrets to Delivering Your Poem Like a Pro.