A definitive Readings thread...

We had A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton read by my cousin:

The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage.

Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur. The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.

I like this Dinosaur thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny. He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now.

I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur, thought the Dinosaur. She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice. She is also a free spirit which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur. But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. He is also overly fond of things. Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things?

But her mind skips from here to there so quickly thought the Dinosaur. She is also uncommonly keen on shopping. Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping?

I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. For they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual. I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping, thought the Dinosaur. For she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides, I am not unkeen on shopping either.

Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old. Look at them. Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs. And that, my friends, is how it is with love.

Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together. For the sun is warm. And the world is a beautiful place

The other reading we had was written by a journalist friend so was all about me - I'm sure you don't want that one!

You think wrong, Spangles! Post it (if you're happy to!)

We are having this, read by my Future Mother in law -

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

That's a lovely reading, BB. Especially the part that will make you look at each other.

Before we met, you and I were halves unjoined except in the wide rivers of our minds.

We were each other's distant shore, the opposite wings of a bird, the other half of a seashell.

We did not know the other then, did not know our determination to keep alive the cry of one riverbank to the other.

We were apart, Yet connected in our ignorance of each other, like two apples sharing a common tree.

Remember?
I knew you existed long before you understood my desire to join my freedom to yours.

Our paths collided long enough for our indecision to be swallowed up by the greater need of love.

When you came to me, the sun surged towards the earth and moon escaped from darkness to bless the union of two spirits, so alike that the creator had designed them for life's endless circle.

Beloved partner, keeper of my heart's odd secrets, clothed in summer blossoms so the icy hand of winter never touches us. I thank your patience.

Our joining is like a tree to earth, a cloud to sky and even more. We are the reason the world can laugh on its battlefields and rise from the ashes of its selfishness to hear me say, in this time, this place, this way - I loved you best of all.
Commitment poem of the Pueblo Indian,

author unknown

True love is a sacred flame,

That burns eternally.

And none can dim it’s special glow

Or change it’s destiny.

True love speaks in tender tones,
And heard with gentle ear.

True love gives with open heart,

And true love conquers fear.

True love makes no harsh demands

In neither rules nor binds.
And true love holds with gentle hands,

The heart that it entwines.

‘Love One Another’ by Kahil Gibran, The Prophet (1883—1931)

Love one another, but make not a bond of love,

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup,

Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,

But let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone,

Though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping;

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together;

Fill the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

‘On your Wedding Day’ – Anonymous

Today is a day you will always remember

The greatest in anyone’s life

You’ll start off the day just two people in love

And end it as husband and wife

It’s a brand new beginning, the start of a journey

With moments to cherish and treasure

And although there’ll be times you both disagree

These will surely be outweighed by pleasure

You’ll have heard many words of advice in the past

When the secrets of marriage were spoken

But you know that the answers lie hidden inside

Where the bond of true love lies unbroken

So live happy forever as lovers and friends

It’s the dawn of a new life for you

As you stand there together with love in your eyes

From the moment you whisper ‘I do’

And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real

May success find it’s way to your hearts

Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys

But today is the day it all starts

Chapter one of one Thousand By O.J.Preston

For two people this dawn brought on a magical day

Now Husband and wife they head on their way

As a boat setting sail may their journey begin

With the calmest of waters, most helpful of wind

And if they should stumble upon turbulent sea

May it pass them unharming – leave them be.

For here are two people whom love has well bitten

Here opens their book which has yet to be written

As the first page unfolds and their life inks its path

May it write a true story where forever love lasts

Let their journey be happy till death do they part

Of one thousand chapters may this be the start.

Native American Blessing

Now you will feel, not the rain,

for each other will shelter the other.

Now you will feel not cold,

for each other will warm the other.

Now you will feel not solitude,

for each will company the other.

Now you are two persons,

but both will lead one life.

Go now to your dwelling to enter

into the days of your life,

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

We are having two readings in our registry office wedding. One is poem to be written by a friend (don't know what it is yet!) the other is this.

We wanted something sweet yet not vomit inducing or full of old fashioned language. It has no known author- anon:

https://indianchild.com/Poems/wedding_poem.htm

Today is a day you will always remember- the greatest in anyone’s life.
You’ll start off the day just two people in love and end it as husband and wife.

It’s a brand new beginning, the start of a journey, with moments to cherish and treasure.
And although there’ll be times when you both disagree, these will surely be outweighed by pleasure.

You’ll have heard many words of advice in the past, when the secrets of marriage were spoken, but now you know that the answers lie hidden inside, where the bond of true love lies unbroken.

So live happy forever as lovers and friends, it’s the dawn of a new life for you, as you stand there together with love in your eyes from the moment you whisper, “I do”.

And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real, may success find its way to your hearts.
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all starts.

I see Millie has already inlcuded ours!

We're having the lovely love story by Edward Monkton, Union by Robert Fulghum (already posted) and Chapter One of One Thousand by O.J. Preston:

For two people this dawn brought on a magical day
Now husband and wife they head on their way
As a boat setting sail may their journey begin
With calmest of waters, most helpful of wind
And if they should stumble upon turbulent sea
May it pass them unharming – leave them be

For here are two people whom love has well bitten
Here opens their book which has yet to be written
As the first page unfolds and their life inks its path
May it write a true story where forever love lasts
Let their journey be happy till death do they part
Of one thousand chapters may this be the start

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life, to strengthen each other in all labour, to be there for each other in sorrow, to give comfort to each other in all pain, to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?

I should like at this time, to try to speak of some of the things that many of us wish for the both of you. We wish for you a home, not a place of stone and wood, but an island of peace, a place from which you will receive strength and support that stays and carries with you throughout your daily lives.

Marriage is the most important of all earthly relationships. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully and with full understanding of its sacred nature. Marriage is a gift of god, given to comfort the sorrow of life and magnify the joys.

Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasures in other people's sins but delights in the truth, it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.

Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Your marriage must stand by the strength of your love and the power of faith in each other and in God.It should never be said of either of you that you show more concern for a friend than you do for each other. More kindness, gentleness, and concern needs to be shown in the privacy of your own home than anywhere else. Indeed, your home should be a haven from all that the world can throw at you. And faith fullness to each other in every way is the primary ingredient that will keep all those aforementioned virtues in order and produce the joy you seek at this altar.

We had the one that BB posted - read by FIL!

MIL did a readng from the bible

and then we had this

I like you and I know why.
I like you because you are a good person to like.
I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it’s special
And you remember it a long, long time.
You say, Remember when you told me something special
And both of us remember

When I think something is important
you think it’s important too
We have good ideas
When I say something funny, you laugh
I think I’m funny and you think I’m funny too
Hah-hah!
I like you because you know where I’m ticklish
And you don’t tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes
But if you do, then I know where to tickle you too

You know how to be silly
That’s why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you
I like you because you know when it’s time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never
Too late, it’s a quarter past silly

Sometimes we don’t say a word
We snurkle under fences
We spy secret places
If I am a goofus on the roofus hollering my head off
You are one too

That’s because you really like me
You really like me, don’t you
And I really like you back
And you like me back and I like you back
And that’s the way we keep on going every day

I like you because when I am feeling sad

You don’t always cheer me up right away
Sometimes it is better to be sad

I like you because if I am mad at you
Then you are mad at me too
It’s awful when the other person isn’t
They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the nose

I like you because I don’t know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
I can’t remember when I didn’t like you
It must have been lonesome then

I like you because because because
I forget why I like you but I do
So many reasons

Even if it was the 999th of July
Even if it was August
Even if it was way down at the bottom of November
Even if it was no place particular in January
I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again
That’s how it would happen every time
I don’t know why
I guess I don’t know why I really like you
Why do I like you
I guess I just like you
I guess I just like you because I like you.

Its from

I Like You

by Sandol Stoddard Warburg

but we edited it but if you google the author and title you can find the full lenght version.

We're having this!

The Art Of A Good Marriage
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 all 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 in 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.
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.

These are the readings we had at a Civil Ceromany

The One
When the one whose hand you're holding
Is the one one who holds your heart
When the one whose eyes you gaze into
Gives your hopes and dreams their start ,
When the one you think of first and last
Is the one who holds you tight,
And the things you plan together
Make the whole world seem just right,
When the one whom you believe in
puts their faith and trust in you,
You've found the one and only love
You'll share your whole life through.

Finally, I have found a place

Into which I fit Perfectly, Safely

And securely with no doubts,

No fears, No sadness, No tears.

This place is filled with happiness and laughter

Yet it is spacious enough, to allow me

The freedom to move around,

To live my life and be myself.

This wonderful place, which I never believed really existed,

I have found Finally

Inside your arms, Inside your heart, inside your love

Deborah Brideau

Then the promise we made:

"[Groom's name], [Bride's name],
I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep"

Bridebrat that is a lovely reading, i dont know if its because my wedding isnt too long away or what but it made me very teary!

Some of these are really lovely!

Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of Its Love by Edmund O’Neill

Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener and critic. And there may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.

I like this one by Pam Ayers, it's sweet and funny but not too fluffy

Yes, I'll marry you, my dear,
And here's the reason why;
So I can push you out of bed
When the baby starts to cry,
And if we hear a knocking
And it's creepy and it's late,
I hand you the torch you see,
And you investigate.

Yes I'll marry you, my dear,
You may not apprehend it,
But when the tumble-drier goes
It's you that has to mend it,
You have to face the neighbour
Should our labrador attack him,
And if a drunkard fondles me
It's you that has to whack him.

Yes, I'll marry you,
You're virile and you're lean,
My house is like a pigsty
You can help to keep it clean.
That sexy little dinner
Which you served by candlelight,
As I do chipolatas,
You can cook it every night!

It's you who has to work the drill
and put up curtain track,
And when I've got PMT it's you who gets the flak,
I do see great advantages,
But none of them for you,
And so before you see the light,
I do, I do, I do!

I've got a few more, which I keep on a word doc and then copy and paste any more that I spot, simples

Great idea for a thread CB!

We're still undecided on our readings but I would like 1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

I was going to add ours, but they are both already on here! - A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton and Union by Robert Fulgham. Not much help am I!

We're having two, Union the same as BB and this one by Pam Ayres... It should lighten the mood and it's very fitting!!

He never leaves the seat up
Or wet towels upon the floor
The toothpaste has the lid on
And he always shuts the door!

She’s very clean and tidy
Though she may sometimes delude
Leave your things out at your peril
In a second they’ll have moved!

He’s a very active person
As are all his next of kin
Where as she likes lazy days
He’ll still drag her to the gym!

He romances her and dines her
Home cooked dinners and the like
He even knows her favourite food
And spoils her day and night!

She’s thoughtful when he looks at her
A smile upon his face
Will he look that good in 50 years
When his dentures aren’t in place?!

He says he loves her figure
And her mental prowess too
But when gravity takes her over
Will she charm with her IQ?

She says she loves his kindness
And his patience is a must
And of course she thinks he’s handsome
Which in her eyes is a plus!

They’re both not wholly perfect
But who are we to judge
He can be pig headed
Where as she won’t even budge!

All that said and done
They love the time they spent together
And I hope as I’m sure you do
That this fine day will last forever.

He’ll be more than just her husband
He’ll also be her friend
And she’ll be more than just his wife
She’s be his soul mate ‘till the end

We're having a Catholic ceremony so only bible readings for us. But I love poetry and here are some I'd have if I could.

The first is by Pablo Neruda - Love Sonnet 17.

I do not love you as if you were a salt rose, or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

There is a reading of this on youtube, it's beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKjzEHqPHQs

This reader (Taylor Mali) also reads another poem called King Comforter, it's short and very sweet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwFj6QBCSvU&feature=related

Thank you SO much for posting this. I have had real trouble finding readings that I like but this is just perfect for us. It gave me goosebumps!

My eldest daughter who will be 16 is going to read this

LOVE
~ By Roy Croft ~

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good,
And more than any fate
To make me happy.

You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.