Wedding Readings for a Civil Ceremony

I really hope someone has some good suggestions cos i'd be interested too!

We had Chapter One of One Thousand by OJ Preston - not too cheesy. The other reading was a welsh one - Mi Gerdaff Gyda Thi. HTHx

Just a thought what about taking one of your favourite songs that mean a lot to each other - a love song that's not overly slushly but says and means something about the relationship you and OH and having some of the verses of that read out! ?

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Tracey x

Thats a good idea videogal. Think ill spend the night going through our favourite cds and try to pick out some nice lyrics now! That could help with the fact we have a long list of songs we'd like for the first dance because of the words or what they mean to us, so would be a good way of incorporating more, if you know what i mean.

Ooh i like chapter one of one thousand. i found these two, not sure if i am going to have either of them, may be a tiny bit twee, but here they are for others to see:

I've had the exact same problem. I really dislike the rhyming ones and searching the internet didn't bring me much luck.

Luckily for me, my best mate still has the book of suggested readings given to her by the registrars when she ot married and it's got over 100!

Hi,

We are probably having these two, they probably aren't everyone's cup of tea but we like them and the dinosaur one in particular struck a chord with us, the seat one is just funny !!

A Lovely Love Story ~ by Edward Monkton ~

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 thought 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 frends, 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.

He never leaves the seat up

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 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!

He’s a very active person
Exercise is just the ticket
Where as she likes lazy days
He’ll drag her to the cricket!

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?

They’re both not wholly perfect
But who are we to judge
He can be quite stubborn
And she won’t even budget!

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.

This poem for ****** & ********
A married couple now
Is a token of the love they share
And the thought behind each vow.

I love this old and shocking one but not sure I could bring myself to use it. Does anyone have any suggestions for non-rhyming meaningful yet not to slushy ones?

yes i want non-rhyming too! i like the Dinosaur one on here, but the wording is not really right for us. dunno what to type into google to find something of the same style haha xx

This one is really nice in my opinion:

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.'

I have others too as I'm stuck on this...hang on a tick and I'll dig them out...

I love 'Maybe', and I really like 'He never leaves the seat up'. Thanks ladies, this has been really helpful. Not sure if we're there yet but you've certintly given me food for thought.

Cheers!

Nicky x

Few more here for you:

What is Love?

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.

And I really love this one that I found on another forum ages ago (?) but I don't know who it's by!

When you met, you both had no idea how each of your lives were about to be changed. . . . . .

. . . . . . . But then, how could you have known ?

A love like yours happens once in a lfetime. You are a miracle to each other. The one who was everything you had ever dreamed of. The one you thought existed only in your imagination.

And when you came into each others lives, you realised that what you had always thought was happiness, couldn’t compare to the joy of the love you brought together.

Together, you are part of everything you think and do and feel .
And by each others side, you believe that anything is possible.

Today is your chance to give thanks for the miracle of you. . .

You are and always will be, the love of each others lives.

There's also this one:

Reading by Walter Pinder

Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it.
Find things within yourself, then you can share them with each other.
Do not fear this love. Have an open heart and a sincere mind.
Be sincerely interested in each other's happiness.
Be constant and consistent in your love.
From this comes security and strength.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us on this day of your marriage.
Try to commit yourselves fully and freely to each other.

This one's quite nice - fairly traditional in what it says but it doesn't rhyme which I like, and seems to sound more sincere almost, and less cheesy! :

Art Of Marriage

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.

In the art of 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 finding room for the things of the spirit.
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.

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

-by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Finally, this one's a little bit different, but I really like it (and think I may choose this for my brother to read):

"Friendship"
by Judy Bielicki

It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life-it is the foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness. True friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential. (Bride) and (Groom) came together as friends. Today, they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and, most importantly, the fun of true friendship.

Hope that gives you a bit more! (can you tell I've been doing a bit of research on this lately?!) ?

I see you've been looking into the important things then Stazzle!? ?

These are the ones I've found & quite like. Found out today that soulmate isn't deemed as religious woohoo! We'll probably be having the 'What is a Soul Mate?' reading but not sure who to ask to read it!

What is a soul mate?

If you have found a smile
That is the sweetest one you’ve known;
If you have heard, within a voice,
The echoes of your own.

If you have felt a touch
That stirs the longings of your heart,
And still can feel that closeness
In the moments you’re apart.

If you have filled with wonder
At the way two lives can blend
To weave a perfect pattern
That is seamless, end to end.

If you believe some things in life
Are simply meant to be,
Then you have found your soul mate,
And that is plain to see.

Vow:

You are not the air that I breathe;
you are the sweet scent that drifts upon it

You are not the sounds that I hear;
You are the music of my life

You are not the food that I need;
you are the nourishment of my soul

You are not my will to survive;
you are my reason for living

It is with you that I experience
the wonders of the world

It is with you that I triumph
over the challenges in my path

It is your partnership that will lead me
to the fulfilment of my dreams

It is your friendship that guides me
as I grow and learn

It is your patience and wisdom
that calms my restless nature

It is through you that I know my true self

I do not take you for granted,
I cherish you

I do not need you
I choose you

I choose you today in witness
of all the people who love us

I choose you tomorrow
in the privacy of our hearts

I choose you in strength and weakness

I choose you in health and sickness

I choose you in joy and sorrow

I will choose you, over all others, every day
for all the days of my life

PERFECTION IN MY EYES

Author: Ashley Borden

All I ever wanted was to be part of your heart,

And for us to be together, to never be apart.

No one else in the world can even compare,

You're perfect and so is this love that we share.

We have so much more than I ever thought we would,

I love you more than I ever thought I could.

I promise to give you all I have to give,

I'll do anything for you as long as I live.

In your eyes I see our present, our future and past,

By the way you look at me I know we will last.

I hope that one day you'll come to realize,

How perfect you are when seen through my eyes.

We had

Maybe...

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.'

and

Shakespear Sonnet 116

SONNET 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Yeah...ask me what colour scheme I'm having, or what any of the wedding party are wearing aside from me, and you'll get a blank face. Ask me what readings I am considering...I'm a fountain of knowledge! [roftl]

I think someone posted on here a while back a nice reading about a wedding cake, but i cant remember or find it! any ideas?

Thanks for sharing these I was struggling x

Was it this one?...

A wedding is a party with,
Of course, a wedding cake.
But sometimes by the time it comes,
It's hard to stay awake.
People need to talk a lot,
And laugh and joke and kiss,
And cry - why do they cry? - and mention
God and love and bliss.

Two people have decided that
They'll share one house for life,
And call themselves, instead of friends,
A husband and a wife.

And so we have to get dressed up,
And eat a lot, and wait
For hours till they finally serve
The great big wedding cake.

Yeah thats the one. I love it!! Was hoping my younger brother would read it but doesnt seem too keen!

Thanks guys - this is a brilliant thread. I love the "he never leaves the seat up" and the wedding cake reading.

I was trying to find some readings and failing miserably. But loving those two especially :-)

Hx

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I too am trying to find readings at the moment and am searching the imnternet like a woman possessed. i found this one the other day and it just made me smile

Loving The Wrong Person by Andrew Boyd

We’re all seeking that special person who is right for us. But if you’ve been through enough relationships, you begin to suspect there’s no right person, just different flavors of wrong. Why is this? Because you yourself are wrong in some way, and you seek out partners who are wrong in some complementary way. But it takes a lot of living to grow fully into your own wrongness. It isn’t until you finally run up against your deepest demons, your unsolvable problems – the ones that make you truly who you are – that you’re ready to find a life-long mate. Only then do you finally know what you’re looking for. You’re looking for the wrong person. But not just any wrong person: the right wrong person – someone you lovingly gaze upon and think, “This is the problem I want to have.”

We used "A Hidden Place" by Carol Faivre Scott and an excerpt from Plato's Symposium (very long, my poor brother!).

A Hidden Place by Carol Elaine Faivre-Scott

Each of us has a hidden place
Somewhere deep within ourselves;
A place where we go to get away,
To think things through,
To be alone, to be ourselves.
This unique place, where we confront our deepest feelings,
Becomes a storehouse of all our hopes,
All our needs, all our dreams,
And even our unspoken fears.
It encompasses the essence of who we are and what we want to be.
But now and then, whether by chance or design,
Someone discovers a way into that place we thought was ours alone.
And we allow that person to see, to feel and to share
All the reason, all the uncertainty
And all the emotion we've stored up there.
That person adds new perspective to our hidden realm,
Then quietly settles down in his own corner of our special place,
Where a bit of himself will stay forever.
And we call that person a friend.

Symposium by Plato

Humans have never understood the power of Love, for if they had they would surely have built noble temples and altars and offered solemn sacrifices; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done, since Love is our best friend, our helper, and the healer of the ills which prevent us from being happy.

To understand the power of Love, we must understand that our original human nature was not like it is now, but different. Human beings each had two sets of arms, two sets of legs, and two faces looking in opposite directions. There were three sexes then: one comprised of two men called the children of the Sun, one made of two women called the children of the Earth, and a third made of a man and a woman, called the children of the Moon. Due to the power and might of these original humans, the Gods began to fear that their reign might be threatened. They sought for a way to end the humans’ insolence without destroying them.

It was at this point that Zeus divided the humans in half. After the division the two parts of each desiring their other half, came together, and throwing their arms about one another, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one. So ancient is the desire of one another which is implanted in us, reuniting our original nature, making one of two, and healing the state of humankind.

Each of us when separated, having one side only, is but the indenture of a person, and we are always looking for our other half. Those whose original nature lies with the children of the Sun are men who are drawn to other men, those from the children of the Earth are women who love other women, and those from the children of the Moon are men and women drawn to one another. And when one of us meets our other half, we are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and would not be out of the other’s sight even for a moment. We pass our whole lives together, desiring that we should be melted into one, to spend our lives as one person instead of two, and so that after our death there will be one departed soul instead of two; this is the very expression of our ancient need. And the reason is that human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called Love.

Understanding this ancient power of Love, let us call on men and women everywhere to follow this path, so that they may find their own true loves, which rarely happens in this world at present. I believe that if our loves were perfectly accomplished, and each one returning to their primeval nature had their original true love, then human beings would be healed and our world would be happy and blessed.