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Wedding readings for father
Dads often want a role but not a spotlight. A well-chosen reading gives them exactly that — a few lines of real feeling, said once, well, and then a step back into the front row.
These are the readings we return to when a father is reading, or when the couple wants to honour him without asking him to speak.
Readings that honour a father
- 01
For a new beginningby John O'Donohue, 1956 ~ 2008The delight when your courage kindled and out you stepped onto new groundRead 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
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
Most like an archby John Ciardi, 1916 ~ 1978All I do at piling stone on stone apart from you is roofless around nothingRead the full poem - 07
Oh, the places you will go!by Dr. Seuss, 1904 ~ 1991Things can happen and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as youRead the full poem - 08
On Loveby Kahlil Gibran, 1883 ~ 1931Let love be a moving sea between the shores of your soulsRead the full poem - 09On marriageby Kahlil Gibran, 1883 ~ 1931Be like a running brook that sings its melody to the nightRead the full poem
- 10
Sonnet 116by William Shakespeare, 1564 ~ 1616If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever lovedRead the full poem - 11
The master speedby Robert Frost, 1874 ~ 1963Once you agree that life is just life forevermore, together, wing to wing and oar to oarRead the full poem - 12
The Wedding Marchby Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844 ~ 1889I to him turn with tears, whose wonder-wedlock deals triumph and immortal yearsRead the full poem - 13
Wedding Toastby Richard Wilbur, 1921 ~ 2017The world's fullness is not made, but found.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. 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.