Most popular wedding readings

It's interesting:
"This wedding really couldn't come at a better time for anyone. Gary will probably be bald by this time next year. And Annabelle's just found out that ..."

Though the marriage ceremony does not require a reading in order to be complete, most couples want a reading performed at their wedding before the ceremony concludes. Readings give everyone a moment for reflection on marriage itself while providing guests with an insight into the couple's relationship. There are countless readings to choose from, whether you decide to select a religious or secular piece.

1. Selecting Your Readings

   • When it comes to choosing a wedding reading, look for readings that represent your view of marriage and love while signaling to your guests the love you share as a couple. Additionally, do not feel obliged to pick only one reading. If you wish to include a religious as well as a secular reading, your officiant will make accommodations for you. You can also ask one of your wedding guests or attendants to perform the reading so that more people are involved in your day.

   Religious Readings

   • A reading from 1 Corinthians: 13: 4, which presents the well-known line, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud," is one of the most commonly used wedding readings. This line reminds the bride and groom of the nature of love while reinforcing the weight of the marriage ceremony.

   Secular Readings

   • One celebrated secular reading is from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "Gift from the Sea," which includes this thought: "Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what

     they are here and now, within their limits -- islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and

     continually visited and abandoned by the tides." Other popular readings include "Never Marry but for Love," by William Penn, and excerpts from "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams, and "Foundations of Marriage," by Regina Hill. All discuss the value of allowing another person to love you and the contentment of people who allow love into their lives.

   Poetry

   • "The Art of Marriage," by Wilferd A. Peterson, is one of the most commonly used pieces of poetry in weddings. Peterson's poem tells his listeners that the best way to keep love strong is to pay attention to little details, such as saying, "I love you," and looking for the good in one another rather than the faults. However, if you are looking for a more traditional poem, Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116" has been used for centuries. This poem likens love to a guiding light, which can see lovers through any storm just as the North Star guides seafaring sailors.

Source: www.ehow.com

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