Embracing Poems & Readings for Weddings: Adding Meaning to Your Ceremony
Greetings everyone! Today, I'm excited to delve into the world of poems and readings for weddings—a beautiful way to infuse your ceremony with heartfelt sentiments and timeless wisdom. As your celebrant, I'm here to guide you through selecting readings that resonate with your love story and enhance the magic of your special day.
The Art of a Good Marriage by Wilferd A Peterson In his timeless poem, Wilferd A Peterson beautifully captures the essence of a lasting marriage. He reminds us that it's the little things—like saying "I love you" daily and facing the world together—that truly define a strong and loving partnership.
“A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the ‘little’ things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ‘I love you’ at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner.”
Sharing A touching reflection on the joys of sharing life as a loving couple, this reading celebrates the happiness and deeper meaning that love brings every day.
“There is no greater happiness than that of sharing life,
With all its joys, and all its cares, as a loving man and wife.
For love gives life new meaning, and has a special way
Of growing stronger, and deeper, with every passing day.
Yes, life is so much happier and brighter when you’re sharing
The very special joys that come with loving and giving and caring.”
The Magic of Love by Helen Steiner Rice Helen Steiner Rice poetically describes love as a transformative force that can bring beauty, grace, and profound change to our lives. Her words remind us of the enchanting power of love in all its forms.
“Love is like magic, and it always will be,
For love still remains life’s sweet mystery.
Love works in ways that are wondrous and strange,
And there’s nothing in life that love cannot change!
Love can transform the most commonplace
Into beauty and splendour and sweetness and grace.
Love is unselfish, understanding and kind,
For it sees with its heart, and not with its mind.
Love is the answer that everyone seeks;
Love is the language that every heart speaks.
Love can’t be bought, it is priceless and free.
Love, like pure magic, is life’s sweet mystery!!”
If My Heart Could Talk This heartfelt reading expresses the deep connection and unwavering love between two people. It beautifully articulates the emotions and promises that bind souls together in marriage.
“If my heart could talk,
You would know you’ve made me strong
If my heart could move,
It would wrap itself around you
If my heart could touch,
You would never feel a sweeter love
If my heart could talk,
You would understand how deeply I love you”
The Key to Love – by Anon, 1st century China An ancient Chinese wisdom beautifully articulated, emphasizing understanding, forgiveness, sharing, giving, and respect as essential keys to nurturing a lasting and fulfilling love.
“The key to love is understanding …
The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,
but those unspoken gestures,
the little things that say so much by themselves.
The key to love is forgiveness ….
to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes,
without forgetting, but with remembering
what you learn from them.
The key to love is sharing …
Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together;
both conquering problems, forever searching for ways
to intensify your happiness.
The key to love is giving …
without thought of return,
but with the hope of just a simple smile,
and by giving in but never giving up.
The key to love is respect …
realizing that you are two separate people, with different ideas;
that you don’t belong to each other,
that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond.
The key to love is inside us all …
It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients
that will take you to its threshold;
it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work …
but the rewards are more than worth the effort …
and that is the key to love.”
Love is a Mighty Power by Thomas a Kempis Thomas a Kempis paints love as a mighty force that lightens burdens, transcends limits, and brings unparalleled joy and fulfillment to those who embrace it.
“Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders all
bitterness sweet and acceptable.
Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God.
Love flies, runs and leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil,
attempts things beyond its strength.
Love sees nothing as impossible,
or it feels able to achieve all things.
It is strange and effective,
while those who lack love faint and fail.
Love is not fickle and sentimental,
nor is it intent on vanities.
Like a living flame and a burning torch,
it surges upward and surely surmounts every obstacle.”
I Love You To the Moon A whimsical and heartfelt expression of boundless love, this reading uses imagery to convey the depth and magnitude of affection between two souls.
“I love you
more than love
I love you
deeper than the sea
I love you
bigger than the sun
I love you
higher than the trees
I love you to the moon
Well, I just really love you!”
To a Marriage by Brian Zouch Brian Zouch's poem celebrates the sacred bond of marriage, invoking strength, resilience, and the power of love to overcome all challenges and thrive through the ages.
“In your hands you hold the key to life
The key to open up the door of love
The strength to face together joy or strife
And all of human frailties rise above
You take a vow this day to be as one
In all you do? in all that you inspire
And let there be noon beneath the sun
Who’d seek to put asunder your desire
And let us wish this knot we tie this day
Be firm and strong against the test of time
And let our children’s children say
That all was good and right and fine
And so in all humility and in this place
We cast your love into the hands of fate
For it is written true that all you face
If faced with love, you’ll triumph and be great
For greatness lies within the souls of lovers
There is no power can tear it from your grasp
It bonds your hearts as one, to one another’s
As Alpha and Omega? first and last
So go you forward from this place this day
And as you journey ‘along the road of life
Know that you stand together, come what may
For true love comes just once, not twice, not thrice.”
Conclusion Each poem and reading offers a unique perspective on love, marriage, and the journey you are about to embark on together. Whether you choose a piece that resonates deeply with your personal story or one that speaks to the universal truths of love, these readings will add depth, beauty, and a touch of magic to your wedding ceremony.
If you're inspired by these beautiful readings and would like to explore how they can be incorporated into your wedding ceremony, or if you have other readings in mind that hold special meaning for you, please reach out. Together, we can create a ceremony that reflects your unique love story and celebrates the beginning of your new chapter together.
Warm regards,
Genine
