Readings for your ceremony!

You know what angers us to our core?
When we ask couples what readings they’re having in their ceremony and they say… none. 😩
Honestly? It makes us die inside a little.

You're putting so much heart into this day: thoughtful details, meaningful moments, but starting it all with an impersonal, standard ceremony? No thank you!

Especially if you're having a registrar-led service, a well-chosen reading can bring personality, depth and emotion into the moment.

• Ask a family member, a best friend - anyone who means something to you.

• We recommend 1–3 readings (2 is usually the sweet spot).

Here are some suggestions (you’re welcome)…

Just please, don’t skip this part. 💍📖💕

For The Dog Lovers…

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog- by Taylor Mali

Falling in love is like owning a dog
First of all, it’s a big responsibility, especially in a city like [insert city].
So think long and hard before deciding on love.

On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: when you’re walking down the street late at night and you have a leash on love ‘ain’t no one going to mess with you.

Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defence?

On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breathes and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs. It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad.
Bad, love, bad!
Very bad love.

Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper and swat love on the nose, not so much to cause pain, just to let love know don’t you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk. Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting. It pulls you in several different directions at once, or winds around and around you until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go. People who have nothing in common but love stop and talk to each other on the street.
Throw things away and love will bring them back, again, and again, and again.

But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

FOR THE ‘been together forever’ couple…

The Wedding Poem - by Whitney Hanson

They say that sometimes
love starts with a spark.

And that might be true,
but if I were to wish you a love,
I wouldn't wish fire for you.

You see, fire is powerful.
It burns bright and then it's gone.
It's beautiful and warm,
but it doesn't last long.

So instead of wishing you a love that burns,
I wish you a love like a river twists and turns.
It changes and it flows,
It is powerful and free.
But it consistently finds its way back to the sea.

And so like the water,
I hope your love is ever growing, ever changing.
I hope your love is powerful and free,
And may you always find each other,

Like a river finds the sea.

For the ‘totally in love’ lovers…

I Promise You - by Myriah

I can’t promise you

That dark clouds

Will never hover

Over our lives

Or that the future

Will bring us many rainbows.

I can’t promise you that

Tomorrow will be perfect

Or that our lives will be easy.

I can promise you my everlasting

Devotion, my loyalty, my respect,

And my unconditional love for a lifetime.

I can promise you that

I’ll always be here for you,

To listen and to hold your hand,

And I’ll do my best to make you happy,

And make you feel loved.

I can promise you that

I can see you through a crisis

And pray with you,

Dream with you,

Build with you,

And always cheer you on

And encourage you.

I can promise you that

I’ll willingly be your protector,

Your adviser, your counsellor,

Your friend, your family,

Your everything.

I promise you.

For The sentimental souls…

The Blessing Of The Hands

These are the hand of your best friend,

Young and strong and full of love for you,

That are holding yours on your wedding day,

As you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours,

As you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years,

And with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipes the tears from your eyes, Tears of sorrow, and as today, tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children,

The hands that will help you hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours,

still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

For the Grounded Couple…

The Art Of Marriage wedding reading - by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
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 at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

For the Millenials…

One Tree Hill - Lucas Scott

Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always. A promise.
Like a reward for persisting through life so long alone.
A belief in each other and the possibility of love. A decision to ignore, simply rise above the pain of the past.
A covenant, which at once binds two souls and yet severs prior ties.
A celebration of the chance taken and the challenge that lies ahead. For two will always be stronger than one, like a team braced against the tempest civil world.
And love will always be the guiding force in our lives.
For tonight is a mere formality. Only an announcement to the world of feelings long held. Promises made long ago. In the sacred spaces of our hearts.

For the Gentle Romantics…

A Beautiful Life Together from Reflections on Marriage for the Bride and Groom

Let love be your shelter,
For at times the world is a noisy and confusing place. 
So make a home that is a haven, a peaceful place where you can. 
Listen to your hearts and savour the comfortable closeness you share. 

No matter how busy your days may be, make time for yourselves. 
Hold hands. Unwind. Surprise each other. 
Find little chances every day to show you’re grateful to be partners, to be friends, to be married. 

Life is not perfect. You will make mistakes. 
But each time you meet life’s challenges together, 
You will grow wiser, stronger and surer of your love. 

Cherish your yesterday. 
They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life. 
Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs 
Whenever you look back. 

Look forward, too. Dream together. Plan together. 
Make promises to keep. Believe in your tomorrows, 
Because tomorrows are what forever is made of. 

To make love last, put each other first 
That is the way to make a beautiful life together, 
The kind of life you both deserve so very much.

For The non lovey dovey couple…

Highs and Lows - by Morgan Harper Nichols

For the highs and lows
and moments between
mountains and valleys
and rivers and streams,

For where you are now
and where you will go,
For "I've always known"
and "I told you so"

For "nothing is happening"
and "all has gone wrong"
It's here in this journey
you will learn to be strong

You will get where you're going,
landing where you belong.

FOR the sex and the city lovers…

"His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile
He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She was a question to be answered
And his answer was 'I do.'" -Carrie

For The Game of throne lovers…

"As you are the Moon of his life, he shall be your Sun and Stars. Your love shall be as ever present as those two celestial bodies...even though they are sometimes hidden from one another's sight. Your love will be the guiding force that charts the course of your tomorrows, holds your world together in difficult times, and will make life itself shine bolder and brighter than we human beings have a right to dream of." (Khaleesi and Khal Drogo's Wedding Vows)

Top Tip 💡

Readings don’t need to be a poem. Choose a quote from your favourite film, tv show or book. If it means something to you, it deserves a place in your ceremony.