Readings..

Hey Flo,

We went to a wedding and my OH and his mate read the Lovely Love Stor - as my OH text the bride first he got to be the boy and Gavin had to be the girl. Both werent too happy to read it but its a love poem. We are having:

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.

and

What is Love

Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies.Love is just not looking at each other and saying "You're wonderful".

There are times when we are anything but wonderful.

Love is looking out in the same direction.

It is linking our strength to pull a common load.

It is pushing together towards the far horizons, hand in hand.

Love is knowing that when our strength falters, we can borrow the strength of someone who cares.

Love is a strange awareness that our sorrows will be shared and made lighter by sharing; that joys will be enriched and multiplied by the joy of another.

Love is knowing someone else cares that we are not alone in life.

Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent,a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.

This radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy,is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who love.

Don't have any advice on certain readings but you could take another look at the long and faffy ones again and take extracts from them to cut down the length and use only the verses you like.

L x

Were having 'the one' too

Have you considered a reading of the lyrics of a favourite love song?

These are our two non-biblical readings...

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 a 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 or 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, 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.

Union by Robert Fulghum

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 commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all 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 that 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, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

Gemchoo - I hadn't heard of Union by Robert Fulghum, but I am now in love with it! It's amazing and I think it's going to have to be one of our readings! Think it's one the OH will love too.

We're having:

> Benediction of the Apaches" #

>

> Now you will feel no rain,

> For each of you will be shelter to the other.

> Now you will feel no cold,

> For each of you will be warmth to the other.

> Now there is no more loneliness for you.

> For each of you will be companion to the other.

> Now you are two bodies,

> But there is only one Life before you.

> Go now to your dwelling place,

> To enter into the days of your togetherness.

> And may your days be good and long upon the earth"

and

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 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

We are having the follow reading - cheesy I know but we like it.

On Your Wedding Day

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 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

It also appears to be a popular reading - judging by the double post!

Yup...another bride having 'On Your Wedding Day' too!

We're also having 'Marriage':

A marriage is a promise

That two hearts gladly make

A promise to be tender

To help, to give and take

A marriage is a promise

To be kind and understanding

To be thoughtful and considerate

Fair and undemanding

A marriage is a promise

To share one life together

A love-filled promise meant to be

Kept lovingly forever

Flow, I was going to post the exact same thread today! I am so fed up of searching for something that isn't overly soppy yet still suitable for a wedding.

I am considering the same two that Gemchoo posted as well as these:

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 they'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 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

Anon

'Maybe...We are supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift

Maybe...it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Maybe...the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Maybe...the best kind of love is the kind you can sit on a sofa together and never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had

Maybe...you shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

Maybe...you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.

Maybe... Love is not about finding the perfect person, it's about learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.'

Or Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 which I have always liked but isn't OH's kind of thing.

OOh, this post has been lovely. Had me with tears in my eyes....think it's the first time I have really read them thinking that I will have them at my wedding soon. Think it being less than 3 months is now making everything seem real!!!

That 'Maybe' poem is lovely!!

I like this

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”

Lannyb27 I love it bawling my eyes out [:'(] (had a particularly bad day today) & it's absolutely perfect for us except the line about the toilet seat - the rest is spot on!

Yay you are planning and organising! Good job flow! ? We have struggled with picking readings as we don't want anything too OTT soppy but do recognise the time and place for a bit of serious love chat...I think we're having these two. Captain Correli's mandolin is one of my fav books and OH loves John Cooper Clarke.

I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke

let me be your vacuum cleaner
breathing in your dust
let me be your ford cortina
i will never rust
if you like your coffee hot
let me be your coffee pot
you call the shots
i wanna be yours

let me be your raincoat
for those frequent rainy days
let me be your dreamboat
when you wanna sail away
let me be your teddy bear
take me with you anywhere
i don’t care
i wanna be yours

let me be your electric meter
i will not run out
let me be the electric heater
you get cold without
let me be your setting lotion
hold your hair with deep devotion
deep as the deep atlantic ocean
that’s how deep is my emotion
i wanna be yours

Just found this, after a quick Google;

“These are the hands 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 together 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 wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to 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.”

We're also having 'the union' it really stood out for us xx

We're having The Promise, by Eileen Rafter. i just love it :-)

The sun danced on the snow
with a glittering smile,

As two lovers sat quietly,
alone for a while.

Then he turned and said, with
a casual air,

(Though he blushed from his
toes to the tips of his hair)

“I think I’d quite like
to get married to you.”

“Well then,” she said,
“well there’s a thought,

But what if we can’t vow
to be all that we ought?

Can you promise me, say, you
won’t grumble and shout

If I’m late yet again when
we plan to go out?
For I know I can’t say that I’ll learn to ignore

Dirty socks and damp towels
strewn all over the floor.

So if we can’t promise to
be all that we should,

I’m not sure what to do,
though the idea’s quite good.”

But he gently smiled and tilted
his head

Till his lips met her ear,
then softly he said,

“I promise, to weave my dreams
into your own.

That wherever you breathe shall
be my heart’s home.

I promise, that whether with
rags or with gold I am blessed,

Your smile is the jewel I shall
treasure the best.

Do you think then, my love,
we should marry, do you?”

“Yes,” she said smiling

“I do.”

Besides a Bible Reading, (church wedding) we are having 'A Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindburgh', takes a bit of reading but is lovely!

First is a religious reading, so no good. But this is our second...

Marriage Fulfills the Dreams and Love Two People Share
By: Glenda Wilm

Everyone searches for one special person
They can share their lives with.
The other half who makes them whole,
Like two notes blending together to make a beautiful song,
Or the colours that complement
Each other to form a rainbow.
It is everyone’s wish to have a lifetime of sunny days,
A rainbow after every storm;
A lifetime of loving and living and growing and giving,
Of sharing and caring; a lifetime of days together,
Learning from the bad times and cherishing the good times.
Marriage is everything your heart desires
And the strength, courage and determination to work for it.
In marriage you take care of each other’s heart
And hold on to what you share.
You hold it gently so it doesn’t smother
And firmly so it doesn’t slip away.
Hold it so that it can grow
And you can grow together
And live and laugh and love together always.

We're having:

Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the
journey ahead and through all the years,
May happiness be your companion and
your days together be good and long upon the earth.

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and
remind yourselves often of what brought you together.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness,
gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulties and fear assail your relationship,
as they threaten all relationships at one time or another,
remember to focus on what is right between you,
not only the part which seems wrong.
In this way, you can ride out the storms when
clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that
even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.
And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your
life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

4lb of love

1lb butter of youth
1/2lb of good looks
1lb of sweet temper
1lb blindness of faults
1lb of self forgetfulness
1lb of pounded wit
1lb of good humour
2 tablespoons of sweet argument
1 pint rippling laughter
1 wine glass of common sense
1oz of modesty

Put the love, good looks and sweet temper into a well furnished house. Beat the butter of youth to a cream and mix well with the blindness of faults. Stir the pounded wit and good humour into the sweet argument, then add the rippling laughter and common sense.
Work the whole together until everything is well mixed and then bake gently for ever.

On Your Wedding Day

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 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.

We're having the Pam Ayers one too. I don't know whether we are going to have a second reading but if not I think the Pam Ayers one is perfect for us. Fun and not too soppy!